Double Wedding Ring Quilts - Traditions Made Modern: Full-Circle Sketches from Life

Seriously, I've completely misplaced my jaw. I think I dropped it somewhere near page 70 of Double Wedding Ring Quilts (Traditions Made Modern).Victoria Findlay Wolfe has mastered the art of improvising while remaining loyal to the general form and tradition of Wedding Ring quilts. Unlike another book series that makes new patterns from old blocks, this book allows the wedding ring to be proudly recognizable and not abstracted into utter deconstruction.The Wedding Ring block gets rejigged in many ways, at times right down to the fabric itself. Wolfe shows how to create new fabric by slashing what we have or crazy-piecing small bits into larger "fabrics". The result is a colorful array of projects that are more modernized than "mod". Her award-winning quilt "Double-edged Love" illustrates how slashes of solid color create impact. The bold effect might make one think of Korean lettering superimposed over the surface. Other projects play with the form's elements and structure. For instance, "Leona" is a strippy columnar quilts using only the ring's melons.Wolfe's playfulness is apparent when she melds other quilt block shapes into the Wedding Ring framework. "A Summer's Day" takes modest liberties with the Lone Star block, while "Farm Girl" does the same with the Lemoyne Star. Both are striking quilts, contemporary but quite honorably so.It's worth noting that most of the photographs show exquisite quilting lines. The Wedding Ring ala VFW is surprisingly amenable to a variety of quilting designs. The author did the quilting on a couple. But for the most part she relied on her lucky network of friends, including Karen McTavish.Victoria Findlay Wolfe sure has an awful lot to say in Traditions Made Modern. It's got to be the wordiest quilting pattern book I've ever bought. I think it shows that she is more than an artist and a quilter - there's also a teacher here who wants to be heard.So, let's listen.- Includes 2 photocopy-able design/planning sheets and a pull-out section of actual-size patterns.

Some reviewers of this book have complained that Wolfe includes too much personal narrative at the expense of actual quilt patterns. And I suppose that if those reviewers were expecting detailed patterns, like the kind you'd buy at your local quilt shop, they're right: Wolfe's instructions can be a little loose at times.But here's the thing:1. These are all double wedding ring quilts. In technical terms, they're all constructed in more-or-less the same way. Wolfe provides templates and ample instructions for anyone with a reasonable degree of sewing skill. Readers just need to cut, sew, baste, quilt, and bind.2. Wolfe's stories inform the quilts. What makes this book unique, in my opinion, is the fact that Wolfe has taken a traditional, tried-and-true block and reworked it in so many ways, making it modern and very, very personal. And besides, the best quilts all have great backstories. That's the kind of thing I want to hear, especially from someone as interesting as Wolfe.3. Beyond being patterns, these are creative prompts. In the description of each quilt, Wolfe challenges the reader to push themselves, to explore new techniques, to make each quilt an expression of their individuality. The patterns from your quilt shop don't offer that at all.

I was excited to see that this book was available in the Kindle format before it was available in paper format. I wanted to get a sneak peak at it so I downloaded the sample. Before I was finished reading the sample I knew I had to have it and paid for the full Kindle version. I read this book in one sitting, and there is a lot to read in this book. It isn't just pictures and patterns.It is a true feast for the eyes. I read quilt books the same way I read cook books. I read for the inspiration. I hardly ever cook a recipe from a cookbook, but I love to browse and gain inspiration for my own creative cooking. Quilting books can be consumed in the same way, and this book is perfect for that. There is a lot of inspiration here and Victoria's own inspiration shows through with her stories about her quilts.While I am unlikely to try to reproduce any one of these quilts exactly, I certainly am inspired to do a double wedding ring. It's on my bucket list now.

The book was okay. Would not have purchased it if I'd looked through it at a bookstore. I was searching for a book with clear instructions for a traditional double wedding ring quilt and assumed (incorrectly) that one subtitled "Traditions Made Modern" would include that guidance. Still haven't found just the right one so will rely on YouTube videos even though I prefer a book to video.

I love the new energy this brings to an old idea. I would of liked a little more direction with how lace, dollies are added. I guess I’ll figure it out.

Great for a different perspective and for managing curves. Wish I could have seen additional curve arrangement ideas

I loved this book so much. It is rare that I actually read a quilt book like a regular book, but this one is both a quilting book and a tale of Victoria Findlay Wolfe's evolution as an artist and quilt maker. I was touched so many times as I read the book and I could relate to many of her stories about her midwestern grandparents as they reminded me of my own. I just can't encourage you enough to get this book. Her creative use of materials will inspire you to revisit some of your own, less-loved UFOs and fabric.

This is an awesome book with lots of inspiration if you like to do traditional quilts with modern updates. My mother made many double wedding ring quilts and I always wanted to make one. This book has the patterns and instructions. Looking forward to getting started

Para quem gosta de patchwork aliado à algo moderno, esse é um livro maravilhoso!!! Boas explicações também

Great idea book and good instructions for the intermediate and advanced quilter looking for something different.

Love love this book!! Great service all around. Very fast delivery!

Haven't had the book very long and have to read through to the end.

Nice book.