George Boyle
The Double Wedding Ring quilt is a popular quilt pattern that has been used for bedcovers and gifts for loved ones on their wedding day or anniversaries. The quilt is designed using interlocking rings, which are a universal symbol for love and marriage. The pattern was first published in the United States in the 1920s, but its history dates back to the 15th century. The Double Wedding Ring quilt is known for its intricate and curved design, which can be challenging and time-consuming to create. However, modern quilting techniques and tools have made the process easier and more accessible for quilters. The design often features a white or neutral background with colourful arches or arcs, although modern variations may use different colour schemes and fabrics.
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What You'll Learn
History of the wedding ring quilt
The wedding ring quilt, also known as the double wedding ring quilt, is a quilt pattern steeped in a rich historical tradition. The design, which consists of interlocking rings, is a symbol of love, commitment, and the intertwining of two lives. This motif can be traced back to ancient times, with similar designs found on 4th-century Roman cups and Celtic knot motifs in the Western world. During the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe, a similar design was popular in the form of the "Gimmal ring", an engagement ring consisting of two interlocking bands, one worn by each betrothed partner, which were joined during the wedding ceremony for the wife to wear.
The first published mention of the double wedding ring quilt pattern was in 1928 by Capper's Weekly, a publication from Topeka, Kansas. However, the pattern can be found in quilts as early as the late 19th century. Before the 1920s, it was known by different names such as "Rainbow", "Around the World", and "Friendship Knot", reflecting different interpretations of the pattern in different regions and time periods. One of the earliest known double wedding ring quilts, titled "Pincushion", dates back to 1825-1850 and can be found in the Shelburne Museum.
The double wedding ring quilt was especially popular during the Great Depression, as quilters could use scraps of fabric from unused bedding or other projects to create meaningful and resourceful quilts. The pattern consists of interlocking rings that are typically appliquéd or pieced together, with curved edges and bias seams that require precision and attention to detail. Modern quilters have embraced the traditional design and added their own creative twists, experimenting with different fabric choices, colours, and background options.
Traditionally, the double wedding ring quilt was made by mothers and grandmothers for their children and given as gifts on their wedding day or anniversaries. According to American folklore, a marriage was blessed if the couple spent their first night together under a double wedding ring quilt, signifying its importance as a traditional wedding gift. Due to its popularity and romantic history, the double wedding ring quilt has become a treasured family heirloom passed down through generations.
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Symbolism of the design
The wedding ring quilt is a traditional pattern that has been a beloved choice for quilters for generations. The design is characterized by interlocking circles, often in a double ring or multiple-ring formation, creating a beautiful and symbolic quilt. The symbolism of the design is rich and varied, making it a popular choice for special occasions and life celebrations.
The interlocking circles represent unity, eternity, and never-ending love. The continuous lines of the rings, often created with careful and precise needlework, reflect the enduring nature of a commitment. The circular shape symbolizes infinity, with no beginning and no end, a perfect representation of everlasting love and devotion. This symbolism makes the wedding ring quilt a popular choice for weddings, anniversaries, and other romantic occasions.
The design also carries a deeper meaning of connection and community. The interlocking rings can represent the joining of two lives, two families, or two communities, emphasizing the power of unity and the strength that comes from coming together. This symbolism can also extend to the act of quilting itself, as it is often a communal activity, with quilters gathering to stitch and share stories, creating a sense of belonging and connection.
The careful craftsmanship and intricate needlework involved in creating a wedding ring quilt can also symbolize the time, care, and dedication invested in a relationship. The hours spent meticulously stitching each circle can be seen as a labor of love, reflecting the effort and dedication required to nurture a lifelong bond. This makes the wedding ring quilt a meaningful gift or heirloom, symbolizing the beauty and effort that goes into building a life together.
The design's symbolism also extends to the use of color and fabric. Quilters often choose fabrics with personal significance, such as colors that reflect the couple's journey or meaningful patterns that hold special memories. The use of soft, warm colors can symbolize comfort and intimacy, while vibrant shades can represent passion and joy. The fabric choices become a visual representation of the couple's unique story, adding another layer of symbolism to the quilt.
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Fabric and colour choices
The Double Wedding Ring quilt is a popular pattern that has been used for bedcovers and other projects. The pattern was first published in the United States in the 1920s, but it can be traced back to the late 19th century and even the 15th century, where it draws similarities with the "Gimmal ring", a type of engagement ring where the betrothed couple each wore one ring during their engagement, and then the rings were interlocked during the wedding ceremony.
The Double Wedding Ring quilt typically features curved, interlocking rings, which are often made from a variety of fabrics and colours. Traditionally, the quilt is made with a white or neutral fabric as the background, with colourful scraps of fabric used for the arches in an interlocking pattern. This background fabric is typically cheaper and easier to work with, as it will not bleed dye. The arches can be made from scraps of fabric in various colours, creating a "scrappy" look, or from solid fabrics for a more modern feel.
Quilters can also choose to use coordinated fabrics, with each arc using the same few fabrics in the same order, or they can opt for a random placement of fabrics. For a queen-size quilt, a fat quarter bundle of coordinating fabrics can be used, with light colours for the background and medium and dark fabrics for the arcs and other pieces. Alternatively, for a smaller project, such as a table mat, quilters can use their smallest scraps of fabric to create the Double Wedding Ring blocks.
Some quilters choose to use a die-cutting machine to cut out the pieces for the quilt, which can make the process faster and easier. However, this method may result in cutting more pieces than necessary. Another option is paper piecing, which can help to prevent stretching and warping of the rings.
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Quilting techniques
Wedding ring quilts, also known as double wedding ring quilts, are a popular quilting pattern. The pattern was first published in the United States in the 1920s and has been a favourite for many quilters ever since. The quilts are steeped in historical tradition, with the interlocking rings symbolising marriage and love. The design is reminiscent of the "Gimmal ring", a popular engagement ring in which the betrothed couple each wore one ring during their engagement, which was then interlocked during the wedding ceremony and worn by the wife.
The quilting process for a wedding ring quilt can be quite intense and time-consuming. The old-school traditional way of making a wedding ring quilt involves using a stencil to cut out each individual segment of the rings, one by one. This can be difficult as each segment has a slightly different curve, requiring multiple templates. This method requires excellent organisational skills.
To avoid the tedious template cutting of the traditional method, quilters can use paper piecing. This technique allows quilters to batch their work and cut out rough squares instead of perfect stencil shapes. Cutting the squares in bulk speeds up the process. Paper piecing is also useful for preventing stretching and warping of the rings, making assembly easier.
When it comes to fabric choices, the majority of the yardage needed for a wedding ring quilt is background fabric. Traditionally, this background fabric is white or neutral. White fabric will not bleed dye, so quilters can save money by opting for cheaper yardage. The rings can be made with colourful scraps of fabric, often using a scrappy look rather than a specific colour gradient.
For those who want to avoid the curved piecing that is typical of wedding ring quilts, an alternative pattern uses half-square triangles and squares to create a diamond and circle design. This pattern is super easy and quick to sew together and does not involve any curved seams.
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Modern variations
Modern quilters have introduced creative variations to the traditional wedding ring quilt design. While the appearance of interlocking rings is usually maintained, quilters may use diverse types and sizes of fabric to create a unique design that reflects their personal taste. Some quilters opt for bold colours like black or blue for the background, giving the quilt a quirky vibe.
To make the process easier, quilters can use an abstract layout that removes large amounts of the rings or piece the rings differently. Another hack is to use paper piecing, which is a beginner-friendly technique that simplifies the process of cutting out each ring segment. Additionally, quilters can incorporate curved piecing, which, although challenging, can be made simpler with various tricks and techniques.
Some modern quilters, like Victoria Wolfe, employ a "made cloth" technique, piecing together different scraps and then cutting them into unique quilting shapes. Another variation is the Vegas Wedding Quilt Pattern, a faster, curve-free modern version with more angles than the traditional quilt. This pattern eliminates the pieced rings, saving time and providing an excellent entry point for beginners.
Modern quilters may also experiment with different colour schemes or use scraps of fabric from various sources, such as heirloom baby clothes or unused bedding, to create a unique and sentimental quilt. For example, Eunsoo Kang's "My Wedding Ring" pattern features a solid ring with a scrappy background, reversing the traditional design.
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Frequently asked questions
A wedding ring quilt is a quilt that features interlocking rings, which are symbolic of marriage. The design is steeped in a rich historical tradition dating back to the 15th century.
A double wedding ring quilt is a type of wedding ring quilt that is often given as a wedding gift. It is a popular bedcover in many homes. The pattern was first published in the United States in the 1920s but can be found as early as the late 19th century.
The process of making a double wedding ring quilt can be challenging and time-consuming due to the curved piecing required. However, modern quilting techniques and tools such as paper piecing and die-cutting machines can make the process easier and faster. The quilt typically features a white or neutral background with colourful scraps of fabric forming interlocking arches.
