Liberated Wedding Ring Block Tutorial
July is my month in the Red & Aqua Bee. I decided to go with a Liberated Wedding Ring block–you’ll remember I mentioned this block in a previous post. I was finally able to track down the block in a different book–thanks to a tip from a reader–thank you so much! However, the block was a smaller block than what I was looking for–under 12.5″. I came across this String-X Quilt tutorial which is basically the same pattern just constructed differently at the very end. So, here’s my take & tutorial on this block.
First begin with a bunch of strips in varying widths from 1″-2″ x 6″ or so in length. If you choose not to make this block slightly wonky you will only need them 4.5″ in length. You will also need 4 pieces of foundation paper cut to 4.5″ x 10.5″. I chose to use old phone book pages–which I really liked. I used steam when ironing my block which caused the paper to shrink slightly. I adjusted for this when trimming up my blocks. you could also use regular old copy paper–you will just need to work a bit harder when removing the paper.
In addition to your strips of fabric you will need 4 squares of white fabric (I used white Kona) cut at 4 7/8″ and then cut diagonally to make a total of 8 triangles.
Begin constructing your block by taking one of the paper pieces and laying one of the strips face up on top of the paper.
Take a 2nd strip and lay it on top of the first right sides together. Sew the two pieces together using a 1/4″ seam. Sew right through the paper–you will be removing the paper later.
Flip the 2nd piece down and iron it a tad. I used steam when ironing because I like a well pressed block. This did cause my paper to shrink slightly which I accounted for later–no biggie really. You could certainly iron with no steam or finger press.
Add a 3rd piece right sides together and sew using a 1/4″ seam. You will notice that I angled my pieces as I added them. This is why I needed just a little bit more width on my strips. It allows you to play with the angles a little bit more. Always make sure that your fabric will completely cover your foundation paper when you flip the fabric back down and iron into place.
Continue adding strips of fabric in this manner until the paper is completely covered.
Now you will want to trim up your block. Measure the paper on the back side of your block–if it still measures 4.5 x 10.5″ you can trim right along the edge of the paper. If your paper has shrunk slightly as mine did just make sure to trim the block to 4.5″ x 10.5″.
You will be making 4 strips 4.5″ x 10.5″.
Next we will trim the corners. Cut yourself a 2 1/4″ square out of paper. Cut it one time on the diagonal to make 2 equal triangles. Tape one of the triangles to the underside of your ruler–the long edge of the triangle will be even with the edge of your ruler. You can see my fancy blue painters tape up there where I have my triangle taped. Use this guide to trim your corners.
Voila!
Trim up all 4 pieces.
Now we will be adding the white triangles onto the sides of our blocks. Place one white triangle on top of your block right sides together.
Flip your block over so it looks like the picture above. You will be able to see just the corners of the white triangle sticking out. To make sure that your white triangle is perfectly placed, the little ears sticking out should measure 1/2″ on both sides. Then pin that sucker in place and sew using a 1/4″ seam allowance. When I was sewing these together, I preferred to sew with the strippy piece on top–just like you see in the above picture. That way I could make sure all of those seams were laying nice and flat.
See how nice that triangle lines up? =) Continue adding your triangles to the sides of all of your striped blocks. These little blocks should measure 7 1/4″ once the white triangles have been added to both sides.
All four quarters complete.
You will sew the top 2 pieces together and the bottom 2–using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Make sure you pin your block together before sewing–you’ll note the 2 orange pins up there on either side of the seam where the white meets the strip section. Make sure to pin that well so everything lines up nicely prior to sewing.
Iron the top section seam to the left and the bottom section seam to the right.
And now you just need to sew these two sections together. Again, pin well, you will notice the double pins at all of the seam intersections. Use a 1/4″ seam allowance here as well.
One final press and you are finished! Your final block should measure 14″ square.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!
Hi Corey,
Thanks for the great tutorial! It's detailed and completely makes sense to me. Now I just have to wait for my fabric!
Holly
Fantastic! I am going to try this one very soon.
I'm making this same quilt right now!
http://polkadotquilts.blogspot.com/2010/06/definitely-back-in-quilting-mood.html
I was inspired by philistine made on flickr. I LOVE your color choices! It is going to be gorgeous.
This is a great tutorial – looking forward to making it in our swap!!
That red and aqua is a stunning combination. This is a very good tutorial, thank you.
thanks….
just discovered you…
a great paper piecing tutorial..
thanks!
xo
eva
It's a wonderful tutorial! It's obvious that you put a lot of time and effort in this. I'm anxious to see how the blocks look together in a quilt.
Thank you!
Awesome tutorial! I really want to make one too! I love your fabrics too. I can't wait to see all the blocks together. Thanks for posting the instructions.
Love your red and aqua fabric picks. Great tutorial! I can't wait to see how all the blocks go together.
Beautiful!
Great tutorial! Very well-document. It's a shame my quilting bee made liberated wedding ring blocks for me the month before you posted this….it would have answered a lot of questions better than I did!
Thanks! I'm making this quilt for my new granddaughter and just put a link to this great tutorial on my blog.
I love this block. Thank you for the tutorial.
Thanks! I just found you from visiting Sinta’s blog. So enjoying your blog.
Leisa
Love your tutorial. Found it after looking at your project at Moda Bake Shop. Look forward to trying this block .
Love the tutorial, I just found it via Quiltstory, even though I already follow you I missed this somehow. Thanks, I’m looking forward to trying this out.
thank you for sharing, I see one in my near future with my leftover aquas and red leftover from my hexies.
I love this quilt! Thanks for the tutorial. I’m making string quilts for my local Quilts of Valor chapter, and, I don’t want to keep making the same string quilts over and over. I will use this for a change of pace. Thanks.
What a great take on the wedding ring quilt. I’ve always been so intimidated by it. This version – I can do! Plus I LOVE red & aqua!! So cute. Congrats on being featured on Quilt Story! Jenn
This is beautiful! Its inspired me
Thanks so much for the tutorial here! I love this quilt/block. I have so many scraps that I can’t bear to part with – this would give them a happy home.
I saw your quilt featured on Quiltstory, loved it, and bought what I needed to make it as a wedding gift for my niece. Thanks so much for the tutorial! Can’t wait to get it done. = )
I have just discovered your site through a blog and I think your block is great I have just enough colours to give it a go. Thank you very much for sharing.
You make this look so easy peasy!! I am definitely going to dive into it real soon! Thank you for putting it all together for readers/quilters like me;)
amazing, but I bet it is not that easy as it seams ?!
Thanks for the idea GREAT
Hi!
I live in a remote area in Western Australia and I ‘m teaching myself to quilt on my RnR( days off),
SOME OF THESE PATTERN ARE GREAT AND FREE PATTERNS HELP ME GREATLY. I’m going to give these a try.
Regards Janice
I love your tutorials but there is no way to print them without the comments and info on the right side of the tutorial. Please make a print- friendly copy. I enjoy your site.
Just found this tut thru Pinterest. I love this block. I am going to make a few to use as part of a pieced quilt back. Hope mine turn out a pleasing as yours did!!
I have started the liberated wedding ring quilt. I have problems with the final blocks being wavy. They measure 7 1/4 each before sewing but do not lay flat. Is there any help you can give me?
I just inherited lots of pre cut strips of old and new fabric. I can’t wait to try this. I am new at quilting. Thanks for this idea.
The Block looks amazing. Love the colours. Is there any chance to see the whole finished quilt?
This looks amazing! I now have another quilt to make on my wish list!