I’m happy to finally show you my block that’s in the
newest volume of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks magazine.
Dresden Framed #1348, is on page 35.
It’s fun to make.
With a little bit of piecing &
a little bit of applique,
you get a beautiful Mini Dresden plate with pizzazz.
I used the new “Pumpkin Pie” fabric collection by Laundry Basket quilts for Moda.
(all but the olive green which is a Jan Patek also by Moda).
I love to make little Dresden plates!
This block uses my Mini Dresden Plate template.
The paper template is included in the magazine,
but if you want the ease and accuracy of cutting 8 petals at once with a rotary cutter,
use my plastic template.
You can purchase them on my website here.
How about a pretty table runner?
Make 4 blocks.
Cut 13 sashing strips 1 1/2″ x 12 1/2″.
Cut 10 corner stones 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″.
Make a 14 1/2″ x 53 1/2″ table runner.
Perhaps you’d prefer to make a lap or wall quilt.
Make 16 blocks.
Cut 40 sashing strips 1 1/2″ x 12 1/2″.
Cut 25 corner stones 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″.
Make a 53 1/2″ x 53 1/2″ quilt.
Here’s a little Dresden plate tutorial.
This block makes perfect use of 10″ layer cake squares!
This is the gorgeous “Autumn Elegance” layer cake by Sentimental Studios for Moda.
Choose 4 squares and press them with Mary Ellen’s Best Press.
With 1 square, cut 2 strips 3 1/2″, subcut 10 petals with the template.
2 more petals will need to be cut the other direction from the remaining strip so be sure and use a non-directional print.
After cutting 12 petals, there will be a corner left over to cut a center circle for another plate.
Hardly any waste!
Fold each petal in half chain piecing all 12 petals using a scant 1/4″ seam.
Trim away most of the seam allowance near the fold, then press the petals flat as sewn.
Turn them right side out, carefully poking out the points, then press them again.
A little tray helps me transport ALL of the petals to my ironing board and back again.
Chain piece the petals together in pairs, again using a scant 1/4″ seam.
Press the seams open, then chain sew 2 of those pairs together.
Press again…
Sew these 3 units to complete the plate,
Be sure to press all of the seams open.
No trimming necessary!
Give another press with more Best Press using the single finger pump bottle.
It sprays with a fine spray that doesn’t over saturate the little pieces.
I spray both sides of the plate, but only press the back side.
If you’ve used scant 1/4″ seam allowances your plate will lie perfectly flat.
If it doesn’t lay flat, you need to adjust your seam allowance.
Using the pattern in the magazine, cut a 2″ circle of freezer paper.
Fuse it to the wrong side of another 10″ layer cake square.
Cut out with a 3/16″ seam allowance.
Glue the edge of the seam allowance with Roxanne basting glue.
Press glued seam allowance to paper side of template.
(Notice my gluing surface?
I’ve been using this same plastic coated brochure from Classic Metal Company for over 2 years!
I know because I bought one of their big metal barn quilts and have been using this brochure ever since.
It protects my table and my glued pieces don’t stick to it.
After all this time, it’s still like new and all I do is brush off the loose glue once in a while.
Next week I will be giving away 2 cool new products that they now have in addition to their metal barn quilts.
I’ll give you a hint; they light up!
Come back next week for those!)
Easily work out any imperfections with Apliquick bars like I show in detail here.
No clipping necessary.
Voila! Perfectly round circle.
Center and glue the circle on the plate.
Stitch the circle in place using thread that matches the circle.
I use a tiny blind hem stitch.
It resembles a hand stitch,
but it’s much quicker!
You can hardly see it, right?
Wet the center circle and let it rest a minute.
Remove the freezer paper through the hole in the back of the plate.
Let the plate dry.
Don’t press the wet plate, that will distort it.
While it’s drying, make the 24 half square triangles
using 2 more layer cake squares.
I like using Thangles. They’re quick and accurate.
Cut the 4 corner squares.
Assemble the block following the instructions in the magazine.
I use the same tiny blind hem stitch to applique the plate to the center of the background square.
I got so caught up in finishing the block that I forgot to take photos of that part, sorry!
That may have happened because I was also listening to Little Women
& started watching when Jo came home to spend time with poor sick Beth.
Movies often keep me company while I sew.
I have a library of movies that I listen to over and over because they’re not so distracting that I can’t sew, well, usually!
Anyway,
it only takes about an hour to make one of these blocks.
(less than 1 movie!)
It looks lovely with my front yard’s fall colors don’t you think?
Sorry the drawing is over now.
go
UP
UP
UP
to the top of this post
and
leave me
a comment
telling me if you’ve ever made a Dresden plate.
And…
…
…
I will be having a second drawing as well.
One of my lucky blog followers will win not only this block that I just made,
but also the remaining layer cake to make more blocks with!
If you’d like to win the block & remaining layer cake,
become one of my blog followers then leave me a second comment
UP
Up
Up
above.
If you already follow my blog,
let me know that in your second comment.
…
…
If you love making Dresden plates like I do,
here are a few of my latest patterns that use either
my Tiny Dresden and/or
my Mini Dresden plates.
You can see them all on my website here.
Be sure to visit the other designers on the blog tour
& Quiltmakers’ Quilty Pleasures blog for more fun and many free prizes.
I will choose the 2 lucky winners this Saturday.
Be sure & tell all of your friends.
Good luck &
Just Keep Sewing…
Susan
Quilting my way through life! 