Dresden Plate Tutorial

Got the pattern/instructions completed for the Dresden Plate; the pdf file in in the Files Section of Shawkl_Blog_Files site. Look in the folder: Quilting Patterns.Or, copy the image above and enlarge it to fit an 8.5 x 10 printed page.ETA: PDF File is HERE (Takes a minute to upload, so please wait.) Instructions are easy.

 Cut wedges, you can get 3 out of a 5" square of fabric. (Note: I first started by folding my square in half, and got two wedges. 

 Then, I realized that if I placed them differently, I could get 3 from a square. Also, I use my rotary cutter to cut my pieces. You can see from the photo above that I cut multiple pieces at a time. This stack is actually one of the sets of 10...so 10 wedges in each stack. You determine your own cutting preferences.

  Hint: I roll up a piece of masking tape, sticky tape out, and put that on the back of the pattern piece...that keeps it from sliding around as I move my ruler to get the cut. See it above?

Determine if you want "points" or "curves". Curves are turned under and appliqued down. Points are sewn in by matching the flat seam at center and stitching across. They will will be appliqued down eventually, but the edge is already nice and neatly folded under.

  Do a lot of these wedges at once to save time, and thread. 

 Clip them apart. Pinch the sewn seam point flat and press open the seam allowance with your fingers. 

 Turn right side out and match the new seam to the center of the wedge. I just "eye ball it". 

 Here's the finished single wedge...with a point that is turned under and ready for applique when the plate is done. Sew three wedge patches together to create a unit. Repeat until you have 4 units for each Dresden Plate. Sew two units together to form a half-circle.

 Sew two half-circles together, matching center seam, to form the Dresden Plate. Note: If the wedges outside edges don't match exactly, as in this photo above, then...

 Open the seam on the two end wedges of one half-circle.  Sew the circles together, then sew the two open wedge seams back together.

 (Note: I trimmed the "V" in the pattern for you. IF you want to meet all seams in the center and NOT have a hole, then extend the pattern piece all the way back out to a POINT.Iron, starch, iron until the dresden is good and flat.

 Cut a background square of fabric that is 9.5" square, and applique the Dresden Plate to it. Note: Fold the Square into quarters and crease. Use these creased lines "+" to match your plate to. It should rest the same distance from edge of the background fabric square at all four points on the "+".

 Create a circle of fabric and applique it into place, or use a button in the center as in the last photo.If you want larger Dresden Plates...enlarge the pattern piece. The angles will still be the same, but test one block before you cut a lot! Don't be afraid of Dresden Plate blocks. They are flexible if you mess up. Increase/decrease a couple of seams, un-sew the ends. Re-sew...until the plate lays flat. You don't want "bowls" and you don't want "mountains". A personal note:  I believe that quilting should be fun. And fabric is flexible...that means that mistakes will happen. They just do; even when you try your best. Accept that as a FACT...and learn how to "fix things" when they don't work out the first time. Don't give up! I'll show you the good, bad, and maybe...the ugly! Almost everything can be FIXED in quilting...except cutting where you should not have. I've been quilting for 30 years...and stuff just happens; No One is perfect...and if they tell you they are...stop listening to them; you'll just get yourself in trouble. Hugs!