Creating A Wedding Band Quilt: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding quilts are a beautiful and thoughtful gift for newlyweds, often becoming their first family heirloom. Wedding ring quilts are a popular style, featuring overlapping rings to symbolise the love and devotion of the couple. Making a wedding ring quilt can be daunting, especially for beginners, as it involves a lot of curves and requires some specialist equipment. However, with the right tools, materials, and a step-by-step guide, anyone can create a beautiful and meaningful quilt.

Choose a quilt pattern

The wedding ring quilt is a classic pattern and a daunting project, but the finish is well worth the effort. It is a beautiful and meaningful gift for newlyweds, often becoming their first family heirloom. The quilt is usually made up of overlapping rings, symbolising the love and devotion of the couple.

There are several variations of the wedding ring quilt pattern, with different levels of complexity. The Double Wedding Ring quilt pattern is a traditional and elegant design, featuring 20 wedding rings combined in a classic quilt setting. This pattern is not recommended for beginners, as it involves many curves and requires precision. Templates and rulers are available to assist with this pattern, with some specifically designed for ease and simplicity.

The Modern Wedding Ring quilt pattern is a bright and cheerful alternative, composed of 41 frame blocks and 40 snowball blocks. This pattern is simple to put together, allowing for customisation with different quilting fabrics. It is a great option for those looking for a less challenging project.

Another option is the Bridal Garden quilt pattern, which features simple pieced blocks with a touch of applique. This pattern is built around gorgeous floral fabrics, with small quilting applique details, and green flower stems and leaves. It is a unique and stunning design, composed of 42 trellis quilt blocks.

When choosing a quilt pattern, it is important to consider the size of the quilt, the colours, and the complexity of the design. It is also essential to select the right tools and materials, such as fabric, batting, thread, and templates, to ensure a neat and accurate finish.

Gather materials

To make a wedding band quilt, you will need a variety of materials, including fabric, thread, and tools for cutting and sewing. Here is a detailed list of the materials you will need:

Fabric:

• Quilting fabric: You will need a range of quilting fabrics such as cotton, polycotton, satin, and velvet for the quilt top, batting (the filling of the quilt), and backing.
• Choose fabrics in a variety of colours and patterns to add interest and uniqueness to your quilt.
• Consider the weight of the fabric: a lightweight fabric for the backing and a heavier fabric for the top will make the quilt more durable.
• Ensure the fabrics are machine washable and dryable for easy care.

Thread:

• Select threads in various colours that coordinate with the fabrics in your quilt.
• Choose a strong thread for stitching the quilt layers together.

Cutting Tools:

• Rotary cutter: This tool allows you to quickly and accurately cut fabric in straight lines.
• Fabric scissors: Sharp scissors are essential for cutting fabric pieces and quilting threads.

Measuring and Marking Tools:

• Ruler: A ruler is necessary for making accurate cuts and creating even borders.
• Quilting hoop: A quilting hoop helps to stabilise the fabric and provides a flat surface for measuring and marking.
• Quilting pins: Pins are essential for basting (temporarily holding together) the quilt layers before sewing them together.
• Template plastic: This optional item can be useful for creating reusable templates for specific quilt shapes.
• Marking pens: These can be helpful for drawing patterns and marking fabric pieces before cutting and sewing.

Sewing Tools:

• Sewing machine: A sewing machine is essential for piecing together the quilt top and quilting the layers together.
• Specialty quilting needles: These needles are designed specifically for quilting and can make the process easier, especially when working with thicker fabrics or multiple layers.

Other Supplies:

• Iron: An iron is necessary for pressing seams and blocks to ensure a neat and accurate quilt top.
• Binding fabric: This is used to finish the edges of the quilt and can be purchased or made from leftover fabric pieces.

Before you begin, take time to gather all the necessary materials. It is recommended to buy extra fabric to allow for mistakes and any additional pieces you may need. With the right tools and supplies, you will be well on your way to creating a beautiful and cherished wedding band quilt.

Cut and sew fabric

The first step in creating a wedding band quilt is to cut your fabric. Using a rotary cutter and ruler, cut your fabric into strips of the desired width. You will need a variety of strips in different widths to create the curved and circular shapes that make up the wedding ring pattern. The number of strips you cut will depend on the size of your quilt and the complexity of your design.

Once you have cut your fabric strips, you can begin to sew them together. Using a sewing machine or hand-sewing with a basic running stitch, piece the strips together to form the curved "melon" shapes. This will involve sewing curves, which can be a challenging aspect of creating a wedding band quilt. Take your time and work carefully to ensure that your seams are neat and accurate.

As you sew the strips together, you will create a series of "melons" or "footballs." These shapes will be used to form the interlocking rings of the wedding band pattern. It is important to trim your fabric as you go, ensuring that your pieces are the correct size and that your seams are aligned.

The next step is to attach the "melons" to the centre "curvy hourglass" piece. This can be a tricky part of the process, but once you get the hang of it, it will come together quickly. Again, take your time and work carefully to ensure that your seams are accurate.

Finally, you will sew the rows of rings together to form the complete quilt top. This will involve more curved seams, so be sure to refer to the template or pattern you are using for guidance. Once your quilt top is complete, you can layer it with batting and backing fabric, and quilt the layers together to finish your project.

Tips and Tricks

• Use a variety of quilting fabrics such as cotton, polycotton, satin, and velvet for the quilt top, batting, and backing.
• Choose a thread colour that coordinates with the fabrics in your quilt.
• A rotary cutter and ruler are helpful tools for quickly and accurately cutting fabric.
• Iron your seams and blocks as you sew to ensure a neat and accurate quilt top.
• Consider investing in template plastic, marking pens, and specialty quilting needles for more complex projects.

Measure and cut binding fabric

Binding the quilt is the final step in making a wedding band quilt. This is how you do it:

Measure and cut the binding fabric

Measure the edges of the quilt and cut a length of binding fabric at least 3 inches longer than the measurement. This will be used to attach to the edges of the quilt and finish it off.

Fold the binding fabric

Fold the binding fabric right sides together lengthwise and press it with an iron. This will create a neat fold and ensure the fabric is easy to work with.

Stitch the binding fabric

Use a ¼ inch seam allowance to stitch the two sides of the binding fabric together. Press open the seam allowances and then press the binding in half lengthwise. This will create a neat edge to attach to the quilt.

Pin the binding to the quilt

Starting at one of the corners of the quilt, pin the binding to the right side, keeping the raw edges of the binding and quilt even. Stitch the binding to the quilt using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

Fold the binding at the corners

When you reach the corner of the quilt, stop stitching ¼ inch away from the edge. Remove the quilt from the machine and fold the binding over at a 90-degree angle, pressing it with your fingers to create a crisp fold. This will create a mitered corner.

Continue stitching and folding

Continue stitching and folding the binding around all sides of the quilt. When you reach the end of the binding fabric, join the ends by folding it over at a 45-degree angle and stitching the ends together. Press the seam open.

Trim off excess fabric

Once the binding is attached, trim off any excess fabric from the edges of the quilt. This will create a neat finish and ensure the quilt is even all around.

Hand-sew the binding

Finally, hand-sew the binding in place to secure it. This will give a neat finish to the quilt and ensure the binding is securely attached.

Attach binding fabric

To attach the binding fabric, start by measuring the edges of the quilt. Cut a length of binding fabric that is at least 3 inches longer than the measurement. Next, fold the binding fabric right sides together lengthwise and press it. Use a ¼ inch seam allowance to stitch the two sides together. Press open the seam allowances, and then press the binding in half lengthwise.

Starting at one corner of the quilt, pin the binding to the right side, keeping the raw edges of the binding and quilt even. Stitch the binding to the quilt using a ¼ inch seam allowance. When you are about ¼ inch away from the corner, stop and remove the quilt from the machine. Fold the binding over at a 90-degree angle and press it with your fingers. Continue stitching and folding the binding around all sides of the quilt. Once you have completed the binding, join the ends by folding it over at a 45-degree angle. Stitch the ends together and press the seam open.

The final step is to trim off any excess fabric and hand-sew the binding in place. This will ensure that the binding is secure and neat.

Frequently asked questions