A Very Special Double Wedding Ring Quilt
Posted on December 3, 2024 by prairiemoonquilts in QuiltsThe last couple months, I got to work on something very special . . .
Over the last few years, I’ve been working with my cousin’s wife, Pam, to finish up all the quilting UFOs my Great-Aunt Jo left behind when she passed away. You can see most of them (and read their stories) HERE.
Pam and Roger’s youngest daughter, who is Aunt Jo’s youngest grandchild, is getting married in February, and on the day that I handed back the two embroidered quilts to Pam, she said: “I guess I’ll use one of these as a wedding gift for Aubrie. I had hoped to find them a Double Wedding Ring quilt, but I haven’t found one.”
Since I had originally envisioned those embroidered quilts as being great gifts for Pam and Roger’s daughters, I thought that was a great idea, but kind of heard in Pam’s voice that it wasn’t really what she wanted to do. But I took the bag she handed me with the next two projects of Aunt Jo’s in it, and never said any more, and went on my merry way.
When I got home, I started thinking . . . (which is, yes, dangerous, for someone like me) . . .
If Pam really wants a Double Wedding Ring quilt for Aubrie, I know someone who can make her one! So I mulled over my schedule a bit, and texted Pam: “I got to thinkin’ about something you said yesterday, so I have a proposition for you.” I asked her if she would like for me to make them a DWR quilt to gift to Aubrie and Graham for their wedding.
She was a bit hesitant at first (thinking it’s too much work for me), but she talked it over with Roger, and finally let me talk her into it, so then she and I went over possible fabric choices, and she nonchalantly found out from Aubrie what colors and style she might like, and I made up a sample block:
Pam approved, so I set to work. They wanted to give the quilt to Aubrie at the bridal shower on November 23rd, and we were first discussing this at the end of September. I know that DWR quilts look difficult to make, but honestly, it’s one of the easiest and fastest quilts I’ve ever made. And it’s KING-sized, and I had a deadline, and it still never stressed me out at all!
I had everything necessary to make the entire quilt already on hand (hard to believe, I know — haha!) except for the backing. The arcs are completely made from scraps. And lest you think I’m now scrap-deprived, I can assure you that it never made a dent — at all — in my scrap supply!
I used Victoria Findlay Wolfe‘s DWR acrylic template set to make this quilt, and it was super easy. The set I used is the regular size, but she also has a mini set and an XL set if you want different sizes. These templates made this quilt go together like a dream, and so quickly. No issues whatsoever. 10/10 highly recommend! (This is not my first DWR quilt, but I will say it’s the easiest one I ever made, thanks to the templates.)
It was even too big to fit on my new super huge design wall! I had to pin up the bottom row of rings to keep them from dragging the floor.
I put lots of little “Easter eggs” in the quilt for them to find as they use it and look at it. Here’s my favorite one:
I let the fabrics do some talking:
And if you read about Aunt Jo’s quilts through the link above when I mentioned it, and want to know what I did with that extra leftover block from her Improved 9-Patch quilt . . . .
Check out this arc, and note the peach solid piece and the tannish print piece right to its left . . . those are from Aunt Jo’s left over block. I thought it would be sweet to cut the extra block up and add the fabrics into Aubrie’s quilt, so she could have a sweet memory of her grandmother in her wedding quilt. (I asked Pam’s permission first!) There are pieces of it in four different locations in the quilt top — you can see them in one of the arcs above, too.
Once I had it on the frame, it took quite a few tools to get it quilted, because I wanted to custom quilt it.
I put a solid white backing on it, so nothing would shadow through, and it’s got a polyester batting inside because I hope they intend to use it, and it will hold up well when they need to wash it.
I had Pam give me the information they wanted to put on the label, and then I hand embroidered the label to put on the back of the quilt:
Graham was there when Aubrie opened up the gift, and as she read the label, she started crying. Pam said: “That’s exactly what I wanted to happen!” Haha! It was all so very sweet. As for me, I’m honored they let me do it for them, I’m glad Aubrie loves it, and I’m happy to have gotten to create such a special quilt with such special meaning for them. Those are always the most fun quilts to make, right?
Here are all the nitty-gritty details:
Traditional Double Wedding Ring Quilt:
Finished size: approximately 107″ square
Pattern: Traditional Double Wedding Ring using the acrylic template set from Victoria Findlay Wolfe HERE.
Fabrics for top: All scraps from my stash, plus 8 special wedge pieces from Aunt Jo’s leftover block, Moda Bella white solid for the background, and red and yellow solids from my stash for the connector squares (and the red binding).
Backing: 120″-wide white solid backing (not sure of a brand)
Batting: Quilter’s Dream Poly Select White, king-sized
Thread: Superior OMNI #3002 Natural White
Quilting: Custom quilting by me
That quilt is absolutely stunning and the quilting is marvelous. A+++ on the quilt.
Stunning! I love the little nuggets and the family details. Awesome job!!!
What a beautiful quilt and such gorgeous quilting! My, they look so young! But I guess we did too when we got married 40 years ago! What an heirloom you have made, well done!
What a wonderful gift! You are amazing!
What a beautiful quilt with so much meaning. It Instead want someone As always, you did a fantastic job on the quilting
Sorry my previous comment picked up what the TV was saying lol so I guess read between the lines🤪
Lovely story and beautiful quilts!
I have one I must finish quilting and see some designs on yours I may use! A special gift for a couple who will appreciate the work you put into it.
May your winter be kind and the holidays filled with joy!
What a beautiful quilt and wonderful story to lift my spirits today. Thanks for sharing.
So, so glad you shared the Double Wedding Ring quilt with us. Loved the story! Your quilt is a gift they will treasure. You did a fantastic job! Especially, I liked the little segments with words. Your quilting is beautiful. Thanks again for letting us see the quilt.
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
This is a truly amazing project filled with love ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️
I made a king size double wedding ring quilt for my daughter when she got married using the colors she wanted. It turned out lovely, but I won’t be making another one any time soon! I loved the way yours came out – it’s so beautiful.
so special. I agree, those are my favorite kind to make!
Beautiful! And the little touches make it so special.
Absolutely amazing! The quilt is a work of art and the quilting, oh my!!!!!
What a lovely gift. Great job as usual.
Remarkable! Maybe someday…
Lovely quilt and story. It’s so rewarding to make something meaningful. Great job!
That is just lovely. The little snippets of fun words – and their initials – all super duper!
Wow beautiful quilt with memories with more to be added as life goes forward!
Awesome quilt! Love all the heartfelt fabrics you included. What a treasure for the newlyweds.
What a beautiful wedding quilt Shelly! It is a heirloom for sure .
All I can say is “WOW”! Fabulous quilt – so meaningful!! And you did it in how few weeks???? You are a treasure, Shelly! Thanks for sharing.
Shelly I’m lost for words to describe what a thoughtful gift. It checks so many lovely points on the wonderful list. Helping your cousin, making such a heartfelt gift for a 2nd cousin, using fabric from another era, using fabric from a special relative, adding little treasure in a quilt, custom quilting and embroidery. Each is unique and a special story. If quilting was not so fun on it’s own, the stories make it fantastic📍
OMG! You have done it again. The quilt is absolutely gorgeous and your custom quilting is over the top. You made me cry when I read your post, including Aunt Jo’s fabric is so special, I am sure they will treasure this quilt forever! You inspire me to dig out the DWR that I started and have stored away a long time ago! Keep up the wonderful work you do, have a wonderful Christmas in your new house!!