The origins of the Double Wedding Ring quilt pattern remain obscure. By the 1920s, however, it was marketed as an “early American” or “Colonial” pattern to appeal to the Colonial Revival taste. Needlecraft magazines and other quilt design sources promoted the pattern in soft pastel tones and suggested white or pastels to be used as backgrounds. This is a variation known as Indian Wedding Ring or Pickle Dish. One romantic theory behind the Double Wedding Ring pattern suggests the gimmal betrothal ring as an inspiration. This was made from interlocking circles that could be separated into two individual rings for the man and his fiancée. Upon marriage, these were fitted together to become the wedding ring for the bride.

Stacy C. Hollander, "Double Wedding Ring Variation Quilt," exhibition label for alt_quilts: Sabrina Gschwandtner, Luke Haynes, Stephen Sollins. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2013.