DWR Question - Pressing
 

Happy Sunday, everyone!!

I've started to audition the Double Wedding Ring for my little sister's quilt I'm hoping to start sometime in January. I don't have the fabric I'm going to use for her quilt, I'm basically just going through the motions and learning the rings on scrap fabric, something I got into not too long ago to ease down the frustration and headaches that can come up with piecing. I keep a notebook near by and if I run into a problem and then a solution, I write it down so that way I have something to reference when it comes time to make the actual quilt.

I do have a question when it comes to pressing, which I realize everyone has their personal preference, I'm just trying to see if this is something I need to address now, or if I can roll with it and not worry too much. I've been following Shar Jorgensen's instructions on YouTube, I found hers to be the best and least confusing, her instructions state when it comes time to attach the arch to the melon and then press it, to press the seam towards the melon, but I'm finding that everything seems to lay better when the seam is pressed towards the arch, which keeps the melon piece flat.

I'm curious as to whether or not this will contribute to any size difference and if anyone else that has done a DWR can maybe weigh in on their own experience? It would help me a lot!

It’s been a while since I made mine, but I’m pretty sure I pressed to whichever side made it flattest. And I think some seams just wanted to naturally go a certain way. I used the John Flynn templates and instructions, but Shar is definitely great. Mine was made before YouTube had so much to look at.

I made a DWR long time ago and if I remember right-I pressed the seam toward the arch. I think which ever way it lays best is the way to press. I really don't think there are any rules etched in stone. Sometimes the seams and fabrics will lay in the way they need to be pressed.

I'm actually glad you said that, I've been looking at Flynn's templates really close, I just can't afford Shar's templates. I'm using templates from the Spinning Spools binder right now, but I know I need to invest in acrylic templates because I know once I make my sister's, everyone is going to want one.

I'm a believer that the fabric will lay where it needs to when the time comes, but I also know that I don't want a lot of extra bulk. I normally press all my seams open because of this, but I know the DWR doesn't allow for much of that, so pressing has been kind of interesting.

I think so, too, I guess I just needed some validation, lol

If you have scraps around, why not make a couple of the arches and try pressing them each way? Be aware that not all may want to go one way, but it will give you an idea.

I have made 2 DWR and I hope to make more. I have Shar Jorgenson's templates and I agree her's are the clearest. I don't recall having pressing problems at all. I just pressed however would make the blocks flattest and let the fabric do what it needs to do

I agree with Kitsie about making a block from scraps. I did that and I found it to be a great relief and confidence booster

I would follow her pressing directions though to the whole unit (maybe 2) so that you can see how the seams fit pressed the way she says. It may be that the seam pressed there is a bit counter intuitive but it might save headaches later when you join the units. Then if it didn't seem to matter you can press it however you like, but if it did matter at a later stage you will be ahead of the game.

I use Shar Jorgensen's instruction and templates for the DWR and have made 5 out of 6 of them very successfully. Her instructions work when it comes right down to the sewing the arches together. They will lay flatter when you need them to lay flat as you get ready to sew things all together. All of mine have been scrappy and have been well received. The one I have for DH and myself is starting to wear thin after 20+ years of use on our bed. I am now doing my best to restore it. I think it is much easier to make it from scratch than to restore it. I hand quilted all of my DWR quilts.

I am making my second DWR and I press which ever it makes the arc lay better...I'm doing a king size and it needs what I call the Football..197 to make 9 X10 rows..I have 150 made so far.. and it's all different pieces...of the fabrics..very time consuming...I'm using hand dyed batiks 1895 Brown Sugar that has been discontinued..I try to make 10 footballs a day..after I finish the ten then I press with Best Press and they all lay really nice.. I ordered 3 jelly rolls, 1 layer cake and 1- 5" charm pack...I am almost done with the 2nd jelly roll..hoping it will be enough that I want have to cut into the 3rd one.. I should have plenty of fabric left for pillow shams...I will do the scalloped edge also..I don't think I will do another one anytime soon...the first one was for my oldest daughter, it was in purple and greens..don't remember it taking this long..she loved it..I use the Sharlene Jorgensen templates and book..looking forward to finishing this one..so I can move on to another quilt and easier pattern...ha ha