A wedding ring quilt, particularly the double wedding ring pattern, symbolizes love, commitment and the intertwining of two lives. The interlocking rings in the pattern represent marriage. Those interlocking rings shouldn’t be as hard to manage as marriage can be!
I’m just being honest. I don’t care how great your marriage is, it hasn’t always been easy. Two different people raised in two different homes working to create their own symbiosis. That is a challenge. So lets make their wedding ring quilt a simple and beautiful symbol of peace and enjoyment, shall we? Let me show you a few different methods and you can decide which looks easier for you.
This one from Quiltworx by Judy and Brad Niemeyer is foundation paper pieced. You wouldn’t have to add the flowers to the corners, although they are beautiful. You can also keep building it out if you need more size. As a bonus, Creative Grids® has a template (CGRDWR) that perfectly trims each arc and center after they have been pieced. I love the idea of the scrappy arcs in this ombre affect.
This pattern by Eunsoo Kang is a modern take on the traditional double wedding ring. In the traditional version, there are many different colored rings on one background color. This version has a variety of colors for the background and the rings are all the same color, making it easy to see the shapes of both the rings and the squares. Instead of using curved piecing to create the wedding rings, this pattern uses the technique of machine applique’. thus making it easier for cutting and sewing.
Double Rings by Sew Kind of Wonderful is another wonderfully modern pattern. Color choices and placement are all it takes to make a traditional quilt look more mod. This one utilizes a ruler (Quick Curve Ruler- SKW100) that cuts the curves after strips have been sewn together. It makes the sewing quick and the cutting easy.
If you’ve never used a Quiltsmart pre-printed interfacing, you’re missing out. I LOVE this method. You iron your fabric onto the fusible interfacing in the order you want, and then sew the seams. It comes out perfectly just about every time. It’s great if you want to use scraps and even if you choose one fabric for each arc. The interfacing keeps the curves from stretching out of place.
There is one last method that I can think of. Paper templates. Edyta Sitar and Laundry Basket Quilts has a beautiful pattern that comes with paper templates that you can trace onto template plastic, or use as is.
I find this to be the most difficult method, but some of you like the challenge. The slow, steady cutting, and the mindful piecing are relaxing for some. I’ve seen such amazing work by the Laundry Basket Quilt followers.
I hope I have helped you out a little if you have a wedding to attend and you need a gift. Check one of these patterns out and put all of your love and support into the making of it for a special couple. Make sure they know the prayers for them that have gone into each stitch and that they will be wrapped in peace, joy, and comfort each time they end the day. They will undoubtedly need it on occasion.
