Saturday, November 23, 2013

Double Wedding Ring Challenge

My piece for the Double Wedding Ring Challenge announced by the NYC Mod Quilt Guild and encouraged by our OrlandoMQG is finished!!!


This was my first attempt at the DWR block so I chose to make a quilt for the Small category which only requires one ring.  I used the EZ Quilting templates, and once I figured out which way the templates went and my seam allowance (scant 1/4" was too small), the block went together quite easily.


The process was similar to putting together a puzzle, and I was quite happy when the pieces all fit together nicely!  The fabrics for the rings are in blues and purples from my scrap basket.  The background, backing and binding fabrics are all from the Mama Said Sew line by Sweetwater for MODA.


Once the double wedding ring block was pieced together, I machine appliquéd it with a zig zag stitch onto the background fabric using gray thread (Aurifil 50wt #2610).  Using my walking foot and the same gray thread, I quilted around and inside the double wedding ring shape.  I also quilted circles around the outside of the ring.


I was having too much fun quilting circles around the ring that I just kept going.   This picture (above) shows my original quilt was a bit larger.  It wasn't until after quilting, binding and photographing the quilt and went to link up with the challenge that I realized my quilt was supposed to be 20" or smaller.  Six or eight inches was cut from each side, and I had to restitch the binding.  It's all good - I like the smaller size better for keeping the focus on the ring and I learned that I need to pay more attention in the future ;-)

I would not have attempted this block if it wasn't for the fact that our guild encouraged us to participate.  Thanks Yanick for that!  I can say this was quite a challenge for me as well as a learning experience.  No doubt I will make this block again.


Quilt stats:
Name:  Sewing Circle wall quilt
Pattern: Double Wedding Ring block
Finished size: 20" square
Fabric used: Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater and blues and purples from my scrap basket; pieced with Aurifil 50wt #2021
Quilted: by me using walking foot and Aurifil 50wt #2610; binding hand stitched with Aurifil #2692

Thanks for stopping by!!
Happy stitching,

5 comments:

  1. I like it smaller too! It's a bold statement!

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  2. I think you met the challenge wonderfully! The colors are great because they're different, and it's so good to know you quilted it yourself. Everyone should try to do that. I do like the finished size better than the first go-'round. If challenge prizes are given, you're sure to win.

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  3. Good for you to challenge yourself to try something new. And great results too!

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  4. This is so beautiful! I think it's time for me to challenge myself with this block!

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