This is my very favorite quilt - I love the yummy colors, and it's incredibly soft! I used a different brand of batting than I normally use (Hobbs Heirloom, which is 80/20) and I think that made the difference. This time I used Quilter's 80/20, purchased from JoAnn Fabrics with a 40% off coupon...such a saWeet deal! It's the only thing that could have made such a difference in the feel of this quilt - but I'm telling you, it's Heavenly!
As with all my quilts, I ran into a bit of trouble. This time it was the binding, I was FOUR INCHES SHORT! Godfrey! I didn't subscribe to my own motto, "You can't go wrong if you buy too much!" Feel free to quote me! Anyway, it's only four inches and it's pretty similar fabric so I'm not going to flog myself over it.
Truly yummy...but I must confess, I did not piece the top. It was a gift from my friend Deborah, about ten years ago...it was old when she gave it to me but I decided a little more aging couldn't hurt. Besides, I just couldn't decide what to put on the back! I ended up using a cotton fabric with little pink umbrellas - so perfect for the Northwest.
Many moons ago I signed up for a Double Wedding Ring class...I really wanted to make one of these quilts. It was in that class I found out how difficult they are. I tried...my best...but there were just too many steps and they took way too long and you know me, most of my quilts have very few pieces...it's like buying toys for kids...when kids are little buying toys with zillions of parts is not something one thinks about...it's only a few years into child-rearing that one discovers she is spending more time picking UP those zillion parts than the kid spends playing with them. So an edict is issued...no toys can be brought into the home with more than FIVE pieces. And then another edict...no toys can be brought into the home if they make noise, need batteries or require assembling. Trust me...it will make your life so much easier! And so it is with me and quilts...I opt for something I can finish in a reasonable amount of time...I'm never going to make a Boston Album Quilt or, as it turns out, a Double Wedding Ring Quilt...too many pieces, not enough play!
My fellow quilters, this is the way to make a Double Wedding Ring Quilt...get yourself a great friend to give you a vintage/antique quilt top/flimsy...then quilt it yourself, bind it and call it a family heirloom...because it will be! Thanks Deborah!
