Friday, July 19, 2013

Up for a Challenge?


Do you ever look at someone's quilt design and immediately say to yourself, why didn't I think of that? That's what I did when I first saw Victoria's interpretation of the double wedding ring quilt that was the Best in Show winner at QuiltCon.  Victoria is challenging all of you to get your creative juices pumping and come up with your own or make a traditional double wedding ring quilt in her DWR challenge.  Just in case you need a little motivation, there are prizes and more prizes and she's rounded up all of these great sponsors to support the challenge.
Let Victoria tell you more about how you can get involved.

Darlene Zimmerman has templates that you can use if you want to explore the traditional double wedding ring.
I wonder what other interpretations might be possible.  I was thinking maybe something with hexagons.  I made a simple quilt for my Craftsy class called Love Knots with stitch and flip triangles.  I played around with that design and did this.  I think the possibilities for interesting interpretations are endless!

Check here for all the details you need to enter and to follow the blog hop!

If you'd like a set of double wedding ring templates, leave a comment because I have one to share.  Let us know what you might do with the DWR challenge.

For those of you wondering where I've been, I've been busy with work, home and family.  The winners of the moving challenge have been notified and when I hear from them all with their quilt choices I'll share it with all of you.  I've been working like a dog trying to dig out from being months behind in deadlines.

I figured out that when you're on the road, you don't get a thing done, but teach and you definitely don't have time to sew and create.  I overscheduled myself and paid the price.

I've pieced and quilted three quilts, made class samples, written three articles in addition to organizing the studio and house and taking care of family.  I'm heading out again on the teaching trail.

It's a busy time.  I'll try to be back with some pictures to share.

Comments close Sunday at midnight!


119 comments:

KeyQuilter said...

I think I'll try with some modern prints I've found. We'll see how it works out.

Laura in IA said...

It's hard to say what I might do until I have some templates in hand to experiment with. If I'm lucky I'll win some. lhs4664(at)q(dot)com

KeyQuilter said...

I really like the design you've got in this post & you said it was in the Craftsy class. Is the pattern published elsewhere?

Unknown said...

I'm not positive yet what to do with the templates until I win a set or purchase them. But I have ideas of hombre fabric and rings, we'll see

lindaroo said...

Your stitch and flip interpretation is very intriguing! I am being nagged by a little idea playing with negative and positive space, and value. Don't really know what I'm doing!

Leila said...

I'm glad you posted this example. Love it! It is good to know just how far out of the "traditional" traditional box we can go.

mjb said...

I'd love to do something with a more photorealist image of wedding rings, somehow...

Nathalie said...

My great aunt pieced the rings and I inherited them. Now I just need to add the background pieces - I didn't inherit those!

Jackie Russell said...

Love the double wedding ring design you posted here!

patricia said...

I'm a very traditional quilter but I like the modern version so much better in this pattern. Granddaughters will love it.

Joelle said...

Love the design you posted! I don't know how you have the energy.

Mego said...

Nice! I love your 'interpretation' of LOVE KNOTS!

Natalie said...

I would love to do this challenge and I would likely do a two to three color combo. Right now I'm really in to green, blue, and purple.

Melaniemmacdonald said...

Thank you for the chance to win the templates! The DWR quilt has long been on my bucket list. I would love to win the templates and do up one using my scraps (lots of bright colors) with a white tone-on-tone background and common color for the mid-arch and the four patch pieces that makeup the square. I think that would be a great "marriage" of a traditional quilt pattern and modern, bright fabrics! Very excited!
Thank you,
Melanie

Gill said...

I've never made a DWR - I'd like to try something non traditional!

B Greene said...

I love your interpretation. I have a few ideas percolating in my head, but nothing to act on yet. I would love to try the templates (I think I need a crutch to get up the nerve to really try this challenge). Good luck with the busy schedule!

Elizabeth said...

I think I would make something with my new Hand Drawn Garden from AMH!

Claudia said...

I would love to try to the templates with some hand-dyed fabrics and perhaps ombre fabrics. I like the idea of simplifying the pattern so it's less "fussy" and more contemporary.

sarah elizabeth :: {no} hats said...

I love this! I'm going the traditional route pattern-wise but throwing in a twist with the fabrics (which will undoubtedly still keep me in the traditional category, ha!) Thanks for the chance to win these templates!

Irelle said...

I love the idea you have for Love Knots but I think I have to use the templates for the challenge. My brain isn't working yet but I know an idea will come to me :)

monique said...

So many ideas , not enough time, although I think I would do my with a more traditional DWR as it has been on my bucket list for a very long time. There has to be a surprise element in there though.

Pauline said...

I would love to win the set of templates. I think I would like to try the solid arc to begin with. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your drawing.
lvtoqlt@mac.com

LJ said...

I would make a traditional quilt with white background or I could go bold and used something out of the ordinary! Oh the possibilities!! The Double Wedding Ring is on my quilt bucketlist!!

Marybeth said...

So how many boxes were there?? Love the DWR challenge

Cecilia said...

I can't wait to see what everyone creates for the challenge. Thank you for the chance to win the templates. I hope things will slow down for you soon.

Gene Black said...

I would love to try this challenge. I have been thinking of a modern version with some fusing some painting and who knows what else. I would love to have the templates to get me started on this.

Shirley said...

would love the opportunity to win the templates as I have a plan!
thanks for the chance

Anonymous said...

I'd keep the design traditional and make it fun with fabric choices.

Snow Dog Quiltworks and Woodworks said...

I think I will use scrappy colors and keep it traditional :-) Happy Quilting!

CapitolaQuilter said...

with curves I tend to like contrast so you can see all the hard work that goes into making them. I hope you'll take some time to yourself but you must feel good about how much contribution and impact all of your teaching and sharing with the world has for so many.

Cheryl said...

welcome back! I started a DWR over 20 years ago before I knew anything about quilting. I might try again...!

Tarmy said...

I think I'd stick with a traditional DWR. I don't have enough experience to branch out and improvise yet. I think I'd go big and make a quilt for my master bedroom. Which means it would be in manly tans and blues :(

tarmy dot lunt at gmail

Irena said...

I'm a beginner quiler, never tried double ring pattern, But i'm going to try. Irena

Jacklynn Grimm said...

I think I would start with something small, like a four-ring table runner, in Christmas prints. Thanks for the give away!

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

I just returned from a weeklong retreat in the tickfaw state park to find this wonderful giveaway. We quilted with the raccoons!

I may try to do a DWR with less curves and more corners. I wonder how difficult that would be to draft. Hmmmmm

Christy said...

I wonder... will Vashon ever get married? Fondly remembering the quit retreat on the Island. And I got engaged! may brave the challenge as it appeared at just the perfect time!

Irelle said...

Your Love Knots inspired me so much, I just signed up for your class at Road to CA. Now I have to finish my quilts from your two QuiltCon classes BEFORE I take the next one :)

Sarah said...

I am really excited about this challenge! I have bever made a double wedding ring quilt before but it have been on the quilting bucket list so this is a perfect excuse to finally do one! I can't wait to pull out some bright, modern fabrics and start playing!

Alli said...

Maybe I'd do a scrappy background and solid rings. Thanks for the chance to win! :)

Brenda said...

I'd play with my scraps and stash. thanks for the chance to win.

Miss Jean said...

I'd like to enter but it might have to be something simple, I'm new to this

quiltmom anna said...

If I won the rulers, I would like to make a pieced curved wedding ring table topper. I think it would be a manageable size to do this more complex piecing.
Thanks for the chance to win these lovely rulers.
Regards from Alberta, Canada,
Anna

Nicole said...

The inlaws will be married 50 years next year, and they want one of my quilts, so this might be a perfect fit.

Nita said...

I don't think I would do a variation - I would stick with a traditional double wedding-ring. They are so beautiful just the way they are.

Christy said...

I've always wanted to try a DWR quilt! I'm leaning towards trying to make something with a more modern twist.

Sheetal said...

I've always wanted to try a DWR and I think this challenge is just the thing to get me going! I'm moving next month, so I'm planning on a hand pieced 4 ring version to work on while my machine is packed away and moving.

Jenny said...

oh wow, i cant beleive your winners get one of your quilts!! i am very intrigued by the dwr quilt challenge. i love victorias quilt...im thinking low volume....

Missenota aka Kristin S. said...

Yesterday I was all thinking inside the box -- or, rings -- and so I still want to win some templates really bad but now you've got me thinking all creative-like...

P.S. I just saw a Double Wedding Ring quilt and matching pillow shams in the movie "Coneheads" while I ate lunch today. Coincidence??

Vicki H said...

I have always admired the DWR quilt. I think I will start a lot smaller and make a tablerunner. Thanks for the chance.

Valerie said...

I love the DWR challenge but am not sure if I'm ready to tackle it. Maybe I'll psyche myself up! I can only imagine how busy you are, and having to juggle all the important things is sure to be tricky at times. We'll be here whenever you get back! Until then, big hugs my friend. I have to tell you, I'm still enjoying what I learned from your workshop last October in NC and think of the principles you taught often. So your teaching has long term effects! Keep it up:)

Anonymous said...

I am thinking about making something almost monochrome, like Jasper Johns green target painting. Somehow that really appeals to me!

Amy said...

I really want this template. This challenge may push me to actually attempt the double wedding ring. It's my 40th birthday so winning this today would be awesome!

LYNN said...

Love your example. The dwr has been on my bucket list for years. I would love to make a more traditional dwr.
Thank you!

Renea said...

I would make a traditional Double Wedding Ring Quilt. Thanks for the giveaway.

MzLlyren said...

I'd like to try something with batiks and solids, then have fun with the free motion quilting. I'm learning this in my Craftsy class, and. I think the would be a great chance for creative quilting.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I think I'd probably go for something really traditional but with modern (and bright) fabrics. Or maybe I'd go the other way and make it really muted and washed out...hmmm, decisions, decisions!

Carolyn said...

Hm, if I win the template, I would probably try something with the sizes and the blending of colors. But it will most likely be super bright.

SIMPLESEW said...

My 2 sons married and this would be a great time to get them a quilt done and by xmas too..

Karen M said...

Thanks for the chance to win these great templates. I made a DWR about 20 years ago. King-sized, machine pieced, hand quilted. I would love to make one again, but there has to be a better way. I would love to try these templates.

Barb in Mi said...

Well, I would like to try a 1 ring traditional way - and then: who knows? Anything goes!
Thanks for a chance!

Cathy said...

I'd do traditional DWR in yellow,pink, orange for my granddaughter. Of course I need to finish the one I'm working on now first. Arches are paper pieced.

Just Gamma said...

I have the fabric, I just need the templates to tackle this project!

QwerkyGrl said...

This is going to be the first quilt contest I will ever enter!! I'm all kinds of excited, but I really need these templates to make the quilt!!! I hope I win! Thanks for the chance =)

Emily said...

I may try improv piecing the rings, background, or both! Take it easy lady :)

LJ said...

Your thoughts on creating a DWR quilt and Victoria's DWR quilt are outstanding! I thinking of joining the challenge but I'm rather scared of the pattern. What is it they say about putting your big girl panties on? We'll see.

What Comes Next? said...

a DWR has been on the list for a long time - this might jusrt be the push I need. Hmmm - how to make it all mine...

Anonymous said...

I've really enjoyed seeing the wide variety of DWR quilts in this blog tour. Until now, I'd never imagined a DWR in contemporary fabrics or a modern setting. I'll definitely make DWR - I think I'd like to make a bed-sized one in 1930's fabrics, and a smaller one that is more contemporary. Such variety!!!

Tamie said...

I'd love to try this pattern but not without templates. Thanks for the giveaway. And- slow down and take some time for you.

SusieDW said...

I've never entered a challenge but this is the first one I've considered. Went to the quilt shop to price the templates and pretty pricey but doable. I have some sort of pastel Kaffe Fassett prints and coordinating pastel Kona solid I'm considering. At any rate it's a pattern I'll definitely try. Glad you're back, centered, got ya mojo! Take it easy and enjoy.

Donna Joy said...

A small project in a traditional modern, but there is so much inspiration out there , I am sure to come up with new ideas.

Sue H said...

This is a real challenge, never worked with curves before! I'm planning to make a DWR for my daughter who is getting married in October, using the traditional template but with a minimalist modern twist.

Susan said...

I've made a couple of DWR quilts so I think I'd use the templates to make a baby or mini quilt!

DanaK ~ WaterPenny said...

I love the idea of the different shapes! I never thought of that. I adore this pattern.

Bonnie58 said...

I love this pattern and have always wanted to try it. This may just be what I need to try it out. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thearica said...

Would love to win the templates and to also enter the challenge! it would be a challenge for me because I have always shied away from making this pattern.

Barb and Sharon said...

I'd like to try something modern with some vintage fabric ans see what turns out.
Barb@Witsend

Mara said...

I have a design in mind and would really love to give it a go, it's a little on the modern side.

Brenda J. said...

Up for the challenge? Yes! I hope to make a DWR project with scrappy "made" fabric. Thanks for the chance to win templates.

Jeanne said...

I think I might do a eye spy idea. Would love to win the templates.

Tsigeyusv said...

The templates would make the process so much easier! A DWR quilt is definitely on my bucket list. The single girl modern version just doesn't do it for me.

Esch House Quilts said...

It would be fun to join in the challenge, but inspiration hasn't yet struck...

Pedal Sew Lightly said...

I'd make a gift for my mother-in-law. She is responsible for awakening my desire to quilt again.

Lisa said...

I love to give this project a go... I've never made one before and I love a good challenge :)

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking about a double wedding ring which morphs to a star

LeAnne said...

I'm still searching for fabrics for the challenge.

jmj said...

looks like lots of fun!!!

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to try a double wedding ring. I used to own Darlene's templates, but, alas, loaned them to someone who didn't return them. Mary mcampscomp@aol.com

Unknown said...

Improv piecing is just waiting to meet these templates!

Pamela Koppleberger said...

I'm excited to here you speak at AQS in Grand Rapids, while you're on the road.

Ann in NC said...

I can't wait to see what you do with the DWR! Looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful work!

Margaret said...

I think I'd do the rings in a solid color and the rest in prints. Not sure which prints exactly -- I'll have to dig around thru my stash and get inspired.

Ivona said...

Would love to win the templates, I might try the solids or batics. Greetings from Slovakia :-)

Mary said...

What a great challenge! I think I will try the single ring first to see how that goes. I just learned about the challenge from your blog, so I'm glad they aren't due until December 1!

Paula said...

I would do a low volume quilt!

Barbara said...

I would love to win the templates so I get a chance to play around. I will definitely end up in the Modern category!

Lisa E said...

It would be a fun challenge to make a double wedding ring with a modern twist. Thanks for the chance to win.

Erin said...

I always end up changing my mind a million times before I settle on what I want to try (and then end up changing things while I am working) but I'm playing with the idea of a double wedding ring in black and white (and grey). Thanks for the chance!

Susana Neiger said...

I love the look of the double wedding ring quilts with long curved arcs, instead of pieced arcs ... that might be the direction I would start with ...

Sharon - IN said...

I have had a design dancing around in my head for a few years now - the challenge could be a good time to actually make it!

Diane said...

I would love to try a modern DWR with the templates. A combo of prints and solids..thanks

Lucy said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I'd love to make a DWR out of vintage reproduction fabrics.

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

I'd love to make a DWR out of 30's fabrics one day.

M.W. said...

I would love to just experiment and play to come up with a modern DWR.
Shawn

Tanya Isis Ayala said...

I would love to try this

trudys_person said...

I want to follow Victoria's inspiration and make a DWR out of made fabrics. Thank you for the giveaway!

Em said...

Oh, this is exciting!

Jo said...

This looks so much fun, I'd love to try this.

LynneP said...

Thanks for the chance to win the templates. I think I will try a scrap baby quilt or maybe a "made-fabric" scrap quilt.

Paige said...

I've never made a wedding ring quilt, but with the templates I would give it a go

Mims said...

I think it would be fun to do a dwr in pearl braclets.

Also known as Mommy said...

I have been wanting to make one of these for a while now and I would love the template...great post thanks!

Tracey Jacobsen said...

Hi Jacquie! I love me a pretty double wedding ring. :) And I love your design here!

(I also sent you an email because I am editing a pattern of yours for American Quilter -- email me at traceyjay@gmail.com! Thank you!). :)

Kate said...

Awesome and looks like fun!

Liz said...

I've always loved the double wedding ring. I tried to hand piece one long ago and failed miserably! Then I tried to paper piece one and had much more luck. I never managed to make a whole quilt - in fact, I bet that project is at the bottom of the closet in my craft room. I may have to go and dig it out!

Beeshebags said...

Someone close to my heart has bought a house, so I could make a belated housewarming quily for the new house. Hugs and thanks for the chance to win the templates. Hugs Naomi

mascanlon said...

I am getting tempted, seeing all the posts on this challenge.thanks for chance to win the templates.

Robin Woods said...

My sweet daughter just announced her engagement a week ago - so a DWR is absolutely in my/her future!

AMM said...

I would love to give this a try and have just the fabric in mind.

QuiltingKate said...

Hi Jacquie - I am going to make 2 of these - bought the templates before the challenge was given. One will be similar to Victoria Findlay Wolfe's in purples, cerise, lime green and soft grey (my original plan - for my son's wedding) and the other is using two fat quarter packs of Patty Young's Lush as the scrappy background, solid white rings. I hope they work out. There was supposed to be a pinterest site by the Quilt Alliance but I can't find it. Do you know where it is? Thank you!