Creating A Double Wedding Ring Ruler: A Step-By-Step Guide

Double wedding ring quilts are a daunting task, but with the right tools and instructions, you can make one in no time. The first step is to gather your supplies, including fabric, batting, backing, thread, a quilting needle, a rotary cutter, a cutting mat, a ruler, scissors, and pins. You will also need a double wedding ring ruler or template, which can be purchased online or made at home. The next step is to cut your fabric into strips, sew them together, and cut out your rings. You will need two rings for each quilt block. Finally, assemble your quilt blocks and quilt top, and quilt and bind your masterpiece.

Choose a template

There are several templates available for a double wedding ring ruler, with some of the most popular ones being:

• Creative Grids Double Wedding Ring Templates Quilt Ruler – This is a four-piece template set designed by Judy Niemeyer to be used with her double wedding ring patterns. The templates are 17-1/4 inches in size and can be used to cut the segments needed to create a double wedding ring quilt. The set includes easy-to-read black and white markings, bore holes for marking the seams, and an exclusive grip that holds the fabric in place while cutting. It also comes with fully illustrated step-by-step instructions and a QR code for a video demonstration.
• Matilda's Own – This template is mentioned by a quilting blogger, Amira, who used it for her own double wedding ring quilt. She notes that it is an Australian brand and may only be available in Australia. She also mentions that there are similar options available on Amazon, but they may produce slightly different results.
• Marti Michell Double Wedding Ring Template – This template is mentioned by a commenter on Amira's blog, who found the directions a little overwhelming but was inspired by Amira's video to continue with her quilt.
• Quilt in a Day Double Wedding Ring Templates – This is another option mentioned by Amira on her blog.

When choosing a template, it is important to consider the ease of use, the number of pieces included, and whether it includes all the necessary shapes for the desired quilt design. Additionally, the availability and shipping options may be a factor, especially for those located outside of Australia.

Cut your fabric

Before you start cutting your fabric, it's important to choose a ruler that will help you cut straight and true. Two examples of rulers that can help with this are the Creative Grids Stripology Ruler and the June Tailor Shape Cut Pro. Both rulers have preset slots that guide your rotary cutter to make precise cuts.

When cutting your fabric, always use a cutting mat to protect your work surface. Lay your fabric on the cutting mat and align your chosen ruler on top. Then, cut along the edges of the ruler with your rotary cutter.

If you are cutting strips or squares, the Creative Grids Stripology Ruler and the June Tailor Shape Cut Pro can be especially helpful. These rulers have slots that allow you to cut multiple strips or squares quickly and accurately without having to reposition your ruler after each cut.

For a double wedding ring quilt, you will need to cut a variety of shapes, including curves. You can use a template set specifically designed for this quilt pattern, such as the Creative Grids Double Wedding Ring Templates Quilt Ruler, to help you cut out the curved pieces accurately.

Take your time when cutting your fabric and always ensure that your ruler and rotary cutter are aligned correctly to avoid mistakes. Cutting fabric can be intimidating, but with the right tools and a little practice, you'll be able to cut your fabric like a pro!

Sew pieces together

Sewing the pieces of a double wedding ring quilt together can be a challenging task. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Sewing the Arches and Melons:

Firstly, piece the segments together to form an arch, and sew this arch to one side of the melon. Iron the seam towards the centre of the melon. Repeat this process to create another arch with two extra pieces at each end. Find the middle of both the arch and the melon, and pin them together, right sides facing. Sew from edge to edge and press towards the centre of the melon again.

Attaching the Melons:

Now, take your two pieced melons and turn them right sides together. Place a pin at the first intersection. Stitch from the edge to almost the pin, stopping a stitch or two before it. Do not press at this stage as it will reduce flexibility. Attach the two melons where they intersect.

Sewing the Background Piece:

Find the middle of the melon and the background piece. Place them right sides together and pin in place, manipulating the background piece as needed. Sew from the seam line on the left to the pin on the right, ensuring the background piece is correctly positioned. Now, sew the other side in the same manner.

Completing the Block:

Your piece should now resemble a double wedding ring block. Sew the pieced blocks together, manipulating the blocks so that one has an "inny" and the other an "outy". Once the rows are complete, sew them together to form the quilt.

Additional Tips:

• It is not necessary to press the seams after each step. In fact, pressing too much can make the pieces less flexible and lead to puckers.
• When sewing a melon to a background piece, use your hand to guide the background piece along as you sew to avoid puckers.
• This quilt can be sewn in rows, rather than block by block, which may be easier for some quilters.
• Take your time and don't rush the process. The finish is worth the effort!

Assemble the quilt top

Now that you have all your triangles cut out, it's time to start sewing them together. Take a white triangle and a coloured triangle and match them up, right sides together. Sew the triangles together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat this process until all the triangles are sewn together.

After all the triangles are sewn together, it's time to start assembling the quilt top. Sew the triangles together in rows. Once the rows are sewn together, you can sew the rows together to form the quilt top.

Now it's time to add the batting and backing. Lay the quilt top down on a flat surface, wrong side up. Then, lay the batting on top of the quilt top and trim it to size. Next, lay the backing on top of the batting and trim it to size.

Finally, quilt and bind the quilt. Thread your sewing machine with quilting thread and stitch around the outside of the quilt. Then, bind the quilt using the binding fabric.

Now, your double wedding ring quilt top is complete!

Quilt and bind the quilt

Once you've pieced together the rows of your double wedding ring quilt, you'll need to assemble the quilt top. Sew the blocks into vertical columns, then sew the columns together with one long seam that goes from top to bottom in a gentle curve. Make sure to match up the centres of each four-patch and the block centres with the pieced arc centres in the same way as the individual blocks were pieced.

Now it's time to quilt your quilt! You can do this by hand or by using a machine. If you're using a machine, a dual feed foot will come in handy for quilting with gentle curves and straight lines.

When it comes to binding your quilt, you'll need to use a bias binding because the edges of a double wedding ring quilt are curved. First, calculate how much binding you need by measuring the perimeter of your quilt. Then, cut your binding strips on the diagonal—this will give the strips some give and allow them to flex. Sew the strips together, press the seams, and press the binding in half.

Attach the binding strips to the edge of the quilt, stretching it slightly as you stitch around the curves. When you get to an inner corner, stop stitching about a quarter of an inch in from the edge. Pivot the quilt so that the edge on the next side of the corner is lined up with the correct mark on the presser foot, then continue stitching. You can use an awl to keep the binding from getting caught in the new stitching line.

Flip the free edge of the binding to the back of the quilt and use pins or clips to keep it in place. Finally, hand stitch the binding to the back of the quilt using a thread that matches the binding.

Frequently asked questions