Vintage Double Wedding Ring tops, blocks and pieces are some of the easier vintage quilt projects to find. It was a hugely popular pattern during the Depression, but it’s also a fairly difficult one to piece. It seems that many woman began working on them, but then at some point became frustrated. Because I have managed to collect lots of Double Wedding Ring quilt blocks and pieces, I am always looking for patterns where I can use those little skinny rectangles.
Yesterday I was looking through my old quilt booklets, and found this pattern, which I had forgotten all about.
The B piece is too wide for the DWR pieces I’ll be using, so I redrafted the pattern, changing the 3 B pieces into one rectangle template. I also changed the size of the rectangle to fit my slightly longer DWR pieces. It’s a liberating feeling to be able to use a simple ruler, compass, and protractor to design or change any quilt pattern you like.
Here is the box of 2,200 pieces I’ll be using to make the new B rectangle — originally 220 1930s Double Wedding Ring arcs.
First I starch and press my little pieces, sew five together (turning every other piece upside down to accommodate the angled sides), press again, trace my rectangle template on the right side of the fabric, and cut.
For more ideas on how to use vintage Double Wedding Ring blocks and pieces, here are some patterns I have used in the past.
Cottage Doll Quilt
Ferris Wheel Quilt Top
Baby Doll Quilt
Strip Pieced Tulip Quilt Blocks
Bunny Quilt Top
Baby Bunting Quilt Blocks
Friendship Knot Quilt Blocks (these DWR pieces were wider)
Wow! You have a lot of the arcs. I have found a few Double Wedding Ring tops over the years. I purchased one or two but sold them when down sizing on our last move. You will make good use of the parts on your new project.
Love those fabrics!
What a box of deliciousness! I am glad to see you blogging, I love to see the many ways you always find to rework old pieces of fabric.
I’m so glad you are back. Your blog is different and very refreshing, plus it inspires me. Thanks for all your hard work.
That looks like a big box of fun! Can’t wait to see the results!
What a great pattern and I don’t think I have ever seen a double wedding ring with the rectangle. It just makes me so happy to see a post from you!
Goodness Martha you are amazing. Yes, that pattern would frustrate me no end. I can’t wait to see the finished quilt. That box of fabric makes me want to dive right into it!
That pattern looks like such fun! I can’t wait to see it as it starts to grow. What an absolutely fabulous use of scraps.
Looks like a lot of work to me! That said, it’s going to be so beautiful! 🙂
Your Faithful Circle Quilt pattern is lovely.
I would like to make it.
How much does one have to increase the size of the templates?
I just found your site!!!!
I think this would be great for a carry along project for hand piecing with English paper piecing. I have been saving all those little postcards that come in all of the quilting magazines. They make great reusable templates.
What a great way to use scraps up. Thanks for sharing Martha
I have a quilt this pattern that my Grandmother made for me. The date on it is 1975. All by hand with scraps from the dresses she made for my sister, cousins and I. What a treasure.
I too would like to know how much to increase the size of the template. I downloaded it for a friend and she asked me how much to increase. I told her I would ask.
The Faithful Circle template…sorry!
I have this much of that Faithful Circle pattern and have cut out all my part B’s. I’m ready to start cutting A and C. What I don’t have is instructions how this quilt actually goes together and have not been able to find it on the internet. Would you know how I could get the instructions? Thank you.
I made this quilt a few years ago and I found it in my collection of the Aunt Martha quilts and it turned out beautiful. It is a lot of work and a bit like the Wedding Ring and I would say that this pattern would be like an introduction to making the Wedding Ring and I took sewing of clothes way back when I was in high school back in the 60’s era and used those skills to help out with the quilt. This is a quilt for those with some experience and not for the person who has never sewn before.
Thank you for posting the Faithful Circle pattern! I love that it gives the suggestion of a curved block while only using straight piecing! I don’t know if I would ever brave the DWR pattern, but I can definitely see this quilt top in my sewing future!