Accuquilt Go Big Blog Hop...Double Wedding Ring Block

Hi everyone! I am SEW excited to share this blog post with you today. I have been asked by the Accuquilt Go company to be part of the Go Big! Blog Hop. There are 10 other bloggers in this hop, so I hope you can "hop" over to their blogs too and see the wonderful projects that they've shared. Links to their blogs are at the end of this tutorial.

I know some of you are familiar with the AccuQuilt Go and all the fabulous dies they have to go with it, but AccuQuilt has rocked the quilting world with 2 new features...a larger size unit that cuts up to a 12 inch die and...wait for it...IT'S ELECTRIC!!!!! The machine does all the work, so it's easy on your arm!!

Accuquilt Go Big Electric!!!

The unit packs a punch, but it's still streamline and small enough to store away if you don't leave it out full time in your sewing room.

It folds up to just 5 1/2 inches wide and has a handle to carry it to a friend's house, retreat or quilting class.

When you're ready to use it, it lays down on the table...

and with one hinged section...

lays flat and you are ready to GO!!!

Easy access on the front for the on/off switch and has a safety light too. When it thinks fingers are in the way, it won't run.

The opening for the die to roll through is very large.

It's over 14 inches across. Perfect for all the new 12 inch dies and for other size dies you may already own.

Here is the new large 12 inch double wedding ring die that I've chose to demonstrate for you.

but all other dies work great too...like this 10 inch clam shell.

or even 2 different 6 inch dies at once.

Talk about a time saver, cutting 2 different quilts at the same time!

Now that I've shown you the actual unit, let's get started with the die that I've chosen and some tips and tricks with using it. NOTE: I was given the unit and the die from AccuQuilt and the fabric from Andover, but the opinions about everything in this post are my own, honest words.

Here is the Double Wedding Ring die that I selected. I've never sewn a Double Wedding ring block before, because I was always intimidated with cutting all the parts and pieces with a template.

This die cuts all those curves and different sized pieces in seconds.

Here is the beautiful fabric sent from Andover from their Downton Abbey line. I just love it!! The fabric that is...I love the show too, but I'm so far behind watching it, I have to catch up!!

I only added the white for the contrast fabric.

I measured all the pieces on the die to see how wide I needed to cut the fabric.

Lay fabric over the die shapes that are clearly marked in a light gray color.

The unit can take up to SIX layers of fabric!!

Cover with cutting mat...

and just send it through the opening on the unit.

It automatically goes through the rollers itself, pressing the blades through the fabric up against the cutting mat.

Just catch it on the other side.

Cuts in just seconds!!

Here are the shapes you need for the block...

but here are the scraps that you can use to cut more shapes.

One of those elongated football shapes can fit in the extra side pieces.

Just cut up the scraps and lay them over the shape you need.

When I'm just cutting one of the smaller shapes on a bigger die (not every shape on the die), I place one of my smaller cutting mats over the area to be cut.  I'll explain why in a different photo in the post.

Now I have more shapes cut from just scraps.

Now for the other shapes on the die that make up the ring. I cut my fabric strips at 3 1/2 inches wide to cover all the shapes.

I'm using a scrappy look to my block, so I layered different fabrics at the same time.

Here's another fabric saving tip.

Keep the selvedge edges at the top and...

and the folded edges at the bottom where the fold will NOT be cut by another shape.

Layered on, ready to be cut.

Here's why I use a smaller cutting mat for smaller areas on a big die.

I am just cutting those few shapes and I'm thinking it might save the blades on the other shapes when I'm not using them. I know there wouldn't be any fabric in there with the large cutting mat, but it's just a thought!

Here are all the cut shapes for the rings of the block.

This is the excess folded fabric.

Cut the folded edge away...

Open it up, iron flat and lay it on your desired shape to be cut. You'll get 6 more pieces from scraps!

Here is the wedding ring block laid out, waiting to be sewn...

This is the finished block!! My first one. I know it's not perfect and the iron was my best friend, but I LOVE IT!!  I will share a separate post on how to assemble a block in a day or two. There were lots of pictures and would have made this post too long.

I was going to just quilt this one block, bind it and use it as a place mat or a decorative mat under a candle, tray or on a side table. However, I love the fabric from Andover and the Downton Abbey line,  so I'm thinking I might make more rings and see how big I can get this!!

If you click HERE, you can sew your own Double Wedding Ring Table Runner with AccuQuilts free pattern!!

This is the list for the other Blog Hoppers. Please stop by and visit all the different blocks and projects they are sharing!! So many wonderful women sharing their talents.

Monday Feb. 23^rd: Bea Lee - http://www.beaquilter.com/ - GO! Big Snails Trail – 12” Finished

Tuesday Feb. 24^th – Haley Pierson Cox – The Zen of Making - http://www.thezenofmaking.com/ - GO! Big Circle – 4”, 6”, 7”, 8”

Wednesday Feb. 25^th – Lee Monroe - http://www.maychappell.com/ - GO! Big Double Wedding Ring – 12 ½” Finished

Thursday Feb. 26^th – Angela Pingel – Cut To Pieces - http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash – 12” Finished

Friday Feb. 27^th – Jodi Nelson – Pleasant Home - http://www.pleasant-home.com/ - GO! Big Square – 10” (9 ½” Finished)

Saturday Feb. 28^th – Connie Campbell – Free Motion by the River - http://www.conniekresin.com/ - GO! Big Snails Trail – 12” Finished

Sunday March 1^st – Sherri McConnell – A Quilting Life - http://www.aquiltinglife.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash – 12” Finished

Monday March 2^nd – Belinda Karls-Nace – Blue Ribbon Designs - http://blueribbondesigns.blogspot.com/ - GO! Big Square – 10” (9 ½” Finished)

Tuesday March 3^rd - Karen Way – Sew Many Ways - http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/ - GO! Big Double Wedding Ring – 12 ½” Finished

Wednesday March 4^th – Elizabeth Evans – Simple Simon and Co. - http://www.simplesimonandco.com/ - GO! Big Churn Dash – 12” Finished

Thank you to Kate from Accuquilt for letting me be part of this wonderful project and a big thanks to all of you for stopping by my blog and all the other blogs for a visit!!

Have a great day and happy sewing,
~Karen~