Sizzling Dresden Plate

Figure B

Steps:
Cutting

1. Audition blade fabric choices by laying the metal or plastic template on the blade fabric (figure A). Look for prominent motifs to use at the wide end of the blade, with good secondary choices as the blade narrows. Trace the outside of the template (figure B) with chalk or a pencil and cut the motif out on the drawn line. This first blade is the template for the next 15 blades in this plate. Tip: Sandpaper is placed underneath the fabric to keep the template from slipping.

2. Lay the fabric template on the fabric at the next occurrence of the motif. Match the motif lines until it is hard to distinguish the original blade from the surrounding fabric. Using scissors, cut carefully around the original blade. Repeat this process until you have a total of 16 identical blades, always using the first blade cut as your template.

3. Using the metal or plastic template audition for the next plate and repeat the above process. Each of the corner plates requires four identical blades or cut all the corner plates the same (16 identical repeats). Do not be tempted to cut all the plates at the same time; depending on positioning, you may find that you run short of identical motifs. Cut blades for one plate at a time; then audition for the next one from the fabric that remains. You will need one full plate for the center section of the quilt and four quarter plates to complete the quilt for a total of two plates.

4. Even up each blade with the metal template or the plastic template and a ruler. This is an important step and should not be skipped. Ensuring each blade is identical will create an intricately formed plate.

Figure C

Marking and piecing

1. On the wrong side of each blade, realign the metal or plastic template so that it matches the raw edges; now carefully mark around the inside of the template (figure C). Mark the top curve as shown and the entire bottom curve as well.

Figure G

Applique

1. Applique the circle and the tops of the blades with needleturn applique and matching thread. Trim the tops of the blades slightly if they pleat as you applique. Applique curves of 1/4 circles, then use the same thread to baste the seam allowance in place on the two straight sides. Tip: Using a chalk marker, mark the (blade) petal edges where the piecing stops (figure G). Place the window template on top of each blade and trace the arc onto fabric for ease in appliqueing.

2. Press the block. Leave the background fabric under the entire plate because the plates stand out more predominately.

3. Cut three border strips the width of the fabric and 2-1/2 inches wide.

Assembly
Add borders as described below.

1. Place the center block on a stable surface to measure. Measuring through the center, cut two strips of border fabric that measurement for the sides of the quilt. Add to opposite sides, pressing seams toward the outer border.

2. Measuring through the center of the quilt (including the borders just added), cut two strips that measurement from the border fabric. Add, pressing seams toward outer border. Press thoroughly.

3. Layer and baste the quilt. Outline quilt around each plate and circle. I added meander quilting in the background and a cable in the border. I discovered (after many quilts) that a shallow arc quilted in the blades does not detract from the plates but holds the blades in place securely.

4. Add a hanging sleeve, binding and label.

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Here's a couple of Stroud's Dresden plate quilts: