I always have multiple projects going in all the fiber crafts that I like to do. In the quilting arena, I do machine sewing or quilting during the day. At night, I sew on my latest hexie project (trying to finish the Halloween themed quilt) or I do English Paper Piecing. During the last few months, I must admit to buying a lot of paper pieces for a variety of EPP designs. And none of them have been easy patterns to do…
I’ve been gluing and sewing double wedding ring arcs for weeks and fiddling with layouts. Here is my latest. I have been fiddling with how to keep the colored arcs (pink, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple) separated and to have them form patterns. I will probably be doing a 9 x 9 layout and decided that using a white/floral ring in the middle might help with spacing the 6 colors. See where I’m headed?
The big issue that I have been mulling over is how to piece the very nasty middles together! Do you see how thin the points are? Many of the pieces in the bag are bent because of this. I did try one and it was impossible to glue to the point and it was so bulky! I thought that doing EPP would be easier, but now I wonder if foundation piecing might have been a better choice…
I have Googled like crazy and asked the young women at Paper Pieces, where I bought the papers, but no one has been much help. I have now decided to machine appliqué the rings to the background; only to encounter another decision –
In the top photo, I sewed a straight stitch about as close as I could manage on the arc. Can you see how the tiny edge is going to do nothing but catch and crease? The bottom photo shows a blanket stitch, and although that will take much more time to do, it will encase the edge nicely. I do intend to use this quilt so I want it to be sturdy.
And yet another decision; here is the back of the square. What do I do with that? And is using another tiny print white fabric the best background or should I audition some bright colors? I have spent a lot of time on Pinterest looking at what other quilters have chosen.
This quilt is still in a state of flux. If you have any suggestions or comments, I would appreciate the help!
I would redraw your middle pieces to add a 1/4” seam. After sewing to your rings, it should form a point.
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Thanks! That’s a good idea!
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I think I would trim out the extra fabric at about 1/4 inch after its appliquéd, and if you don’t have an edge foot, the use the blanket stitch.
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It’s just not a tidy pattern! I showed you just one “square” but they all connect. Leaving small seams is a good idea.
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My, this is intensive work. But very inspiring to look at. Regarding the background fabric, I think that keeping it white will showcase the details of the wedding rings.
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It sure is! I lately discovered that if I don’t glue the fabric very tightly on the paper, that fabric is too bulky and the arcs don’t fit with the melon pieces….it’s always something!
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I can’t even imagine tackling this pattern. I have great faith and admiration with this project. I like a crisp white background as Laura above e mentioned and agree with her comment. I really love your fabric choices for this 🙂
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Thank you! You know me, it’s all about the colors….that’s why I’m having problems deciding on the middles….
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Wow, I don’t know how you quilters do that stuff!
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This pattern has been particularly difficult/challenging/annoying! I need to do some hooking I think…
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One idea that I have had for my own double wedding ring quilt is to sew all the rings together and then applique the rings to a large piece of fabric that will make the quilt top (as opposed to your idea of attaching them to small squares that will just form the middles). My quilt is going to be a wall-hanging, though so that might not be possible with a larger quilt. I am trying to find help on foundation piecing the arcs and then finding a way to attach them to each other…
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Foundation piecing or English Paper Piecing? Mine are EPP, though I have done foundation.
I have thought about using a large piece of fabric as you suggested, but having the arcs sewn together makes me wonder if I can get them appliqued easily on the large piece. I feel like the arcs will wiggle around on the fabric…Does that make sense?
It’s interesting – there are tons of photos and articles about DWR and PD but not much on the pesky middle area!
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