my double wedding ring at the Round Top wedding chapel

Teresa Duryea Wong. Improv Double Wedding Ring, 2015. Cotton, wool: 70 x 80 inch. Hand embroidery, machine quilted.
When I put the finishing stitches on my improv double wedding ring, it seemed fitting to load up the quilt and the camera and head out to this tiny wedding chapel in Round Top, Texas for a photo shoot.

It was a beautiful sunny day and this lovely white chapel proved to be a great backdrop for this colorful quilt --- a wedding ring at the wedding chapel.

I started this project about 5 months ago... and its my first attempt at making a traditional quilt in an improvisational or "improv" style. That means no pattern, no rulers and no rules. I just visualized the rings, cut strips freehand and sewed them together. It was great fun.

Teresa Duryea Wong. Improv Double Wedding Ring, (Detail) 2015.
Cotton, wool: 70 x 80 inch. Hand embroidery, machine quilted.
I spent months adding hand embroidery to most of top and I hand beaded some of the corner blocks. I used to work exclusively by hand, but haven't done so in years. This was a great reminder to slow down and take time to add those small details that can only be made by hand.

The center of each ring is wool and the purple is Peppered Cotton. All of the prints are "Made in Japan" and designed by Keiko Goke. I had the good fortune to meet her and interview her for my new book "Japanese Contemporary Quilts and Quilters."

Teresa Duryea Wong. Improv Double Wedding Ring, (Detail) 2015.
Cotton, wool: 70 x 80 inch. Hand embroidery, machine quilted.
In fact, not only was I inspired by her fabrics, but I also was inspired by an improv double wedding ring she made a few years back. This quilt was on view at International Quilt Festival in 2014 and is featured in "500 Traditional Quilts" by Karey Bresenhan.

Keiko Goke. My Double Wedding Ring, 2008. Cotton: 88 x 87 in. (224 x 220 cm.)
Machine pieced, hand embroidery, machine quilted.
It seemed fitting to me to traipse out to Round Top and photograph this double wedding ring quilt in front of one of the most precious wedding chapels around!

Teresa Duryea Wong. Improv Double Wedding Ring, 2015.
Cotton, wool: 70 x 80 inch. Hand embroidery, machine quilted.
Here's a close up of some of the hand embroidery and the quilting in the borders.

Teresa Duryea Wong. Improv Double Wedding Ring, (Detail) 2015.
Cotton, wool: 70 x 80 inch. Hand embroidery, machine quilted.
The back is a beautiful Peppered Cotton.

Teresa Duryea Wong. Improv Double Wedding Ring, (Back view) 2015.
Cotton, wool: 70 x 80 inch. Hand embroidery, machine quilted.
Thank you Round Top for your beautiful park and showcasing our proud Texas history. And thanks to the husband for help with these fantastic photos and for driving me out to Round Top.





Linking up with Off the Wall Fridays and Free Motion Mavericks and Finish it Up Friday.





Comments

  1. pdfrenchApril 24, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    Beautiful piece!

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  2. Hilary FlorenceApril 24, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    Great quilt Teresa. The deep purple background is perfect for all the wonderfully colourful cheerful printed fabric. I am really impressed with all the hand embroidery. It does add that personal touch, but I don't think i would have the patience. I also love the variety of texture that your close quilting on the background gives. The back is great too.

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  3. TuridApril 24, 2015 at 3:44 PM

    This is SOOOO beautiful. I just love it!

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  4. AnonymousApril 24, 2015 at 6:22 PM

    It's fabulously colorful! And I love the backdrop of the church for your photos!

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  5. LA PaylorApril 25, 2015 at 9:09 PM

    hmmm I'd hate to hang the quilt backside out but that quilting is exciting!! On the other hand (side) is the color!! whee! LeeAnna

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  6. MuvApril 26, 2015 at 6:00 AM

    Hello Teresa,

    Great photos of a fabulous quilt. The colours are stunning, and I imagine they must spur you on to try out all the different embroidery details a quilting patterns. I really like the splashes of bright yellow.

    Thank you for linking up with Free Motion Mavericks.

    Love, Muv

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  7. JayneApril 26, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    What a beautiful finish! I am in awe of the colors (naturally), but the hand embroidery mised with machine quilting is amazing! Mixing the traditional with modern works to well together. You couldn't have picked a better photo 'prop' either!!

    Honestly, I have never been a fan of Double Wedding Rings. I appreciate them ~ they never spoke to me! (those voices!) However, I love the modern version you have done. You may have just inspired me to Improv a wedding ring!

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  8. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentApril 26, 2015 at 3:37 PM

    A beautiful set of photos of this amazing quilt Teresa. I'm thinking this is one of those quilts which can only be fully appreciated in real life. The hand embroidery, use different fabric compositions and quilting all contribute to the rich variety in texture.

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  9. Cay DeniseApril 26, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    Lovely! The church makes a stunning photographic background for the piece!

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  10. UnknownMay 1, 2015 at 5:22 PM

    Awesome quilt and great pics!

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  11. Red StringsMay 3, 2015 at 10:43 PM

    Our guests could not stop talking about how amazing the space, food, service and experience was. The value is worth every penny. I highly recommend this venue for a gorgeous wedding reception, and that you leverage the amazing dynamic manager for your wedding Angel.

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  12. VickieMay 12, 2015 at 10:17 AM

    Wow !! The back is beautiful as well ! What a perfect place to showcase your wonderful work !

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  13. RobertoMay 13, 2015 at 3:05 AM

    On wedding day, I had a complimentary attendant during wedding reception, who was helpful in getting my husband and myself champagne, and she also made sure that we were eating. I gave my heartfelt appreciation to the staff here for their tremendous effort in making our day the most special day of our lives.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownAugust 5, 2015 at 2:46 AM

    The wedding ring design is very nice.I like it because wedding ceremony is part of life every bride and groom.so many couple are want to be memorable to this day.If anybody can add this site http://weddingchics.blogspot.com for better enjoy.

    ReplyDelete

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