Double Wedding Ring Quilt...and the fun begins!

Hello everyone, happy Monday to you all.  It's a grey day here in Calgary, with a bit of a chill in the air...more snow is on it's way, so what a perfect day to spend in the sewing room.  This is my last day off before classes resume, so I must make the most of it!

The double wedding ring quilt journey has begun, and it will be a year-long process at the very least.  I spent 8 hours at the quilt 'till you wilt on Saturday and got a good start on my paper piecing. 

Here are  the first two rings done.  Yep, they look a little wonky there, they kept falling off the design wall, so I had to be quick when I took the photo!

This is one set, which consists of an A piece on top and a B piece on the bottom.  Notice I haven't added the corner pieces, those go on later.  I have 14 sets made and I need 49 sets...:-)

Here's a quick view of the paper piecing process.  I've already sewn on my first two fabrics, ironed them and will trim them down a little.

Place your ruler on line 2, which is your sewing line for the next colour.

Fold your paper over the ruler.

Place your add-a-quarter rule on top of your quilt ruler.  There's a special groove that keeps the special ruler in place so it doesn't slip.  I highly recommend this little gadget if you plan on doing a big project like this.  If you don't have a special ruler, I used to place a smaller quilting ruler on top of the paper at the 1/4 inch mark.  It was tricky cutting because the top ruler would often slip, but it will work in a pinch.

Trim off the excess fabric.

Place your fabric on top of the next colour you are using.  Make sure the bottom piece of fabric is right side up.  Align the right edges and place your paper over the fabric so the printing is also right side up.

Now you are ready to sew on line 2.  See the dotted line to the right?  That's your seam allowance.  Place the next piece about a half inch below your first one, and continue until you get the end of your fabric strip.

I can place seven arcs on each strip of batik.  Each strip is 2 1/2 inches wide.  Flip your arcs and fabric over, and press your fabric open.  Be careful, as the ink may transfer onto your ironing board.  Once you've pressed your fabric, you can bring your arcs to your cutting board and carefully cut them apart.  Then you begin the process of trimming down the fabric you've just sewn and can add your next colour!

Happy sewing!
Mary