Sizzling Dresden Plate

Simply Quilts : Episode QLT-827 -- More Projects »

Instructions provided courtesy of guest Sharon Stroud.

Materials:
book: Dresden Plates of Distinction by Sharon Stroud
Ardco Dresden plate template #DPW-14C
novelty print and background fabrics
white pencil
chalk
sandpaper
marker
small rotary cutter
small mat
sandpaper
ruler
template plastic - optional

Finished size is 22 inches square and the block is 18-inches square.

Figure A

Figure B

Steps:
Cutting

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.
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.
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.
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

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 D

Figure E

Lay the blades in a circle; place two blades, right sides together, and pin at dots and along the seam between the dots. Be sure seam lines match on both pieces. Using a regular sewing thread that matches the blades, begin hand sewing (figure D) at the narrow end of the blade, starting near the raw edge with a knot and a backstitch. Continue stitching, backstitching every inch or so, until you reach the end of the straight side (just before the curve). Check frequently that the seam lines are matched. Double backstitch at the end of each blade and cut your thread. Continue adding blades around the circle until the plate is complete (figure E).

Press the seam allowances as they were sewn (flat), then press the seams open. Make a final press from the right side of the plate to eliminate any pleats. Repeat these steps for the four quarter plates, joining four blades in each set. Using a Sanford pencil or a chalk pencil, mark on the right side where the end of the stitching is on each pair of blades. It will be different than what it may appear. Now, using the template, on the right side, mark the upper curve of each blade in preparation for applique. The ends of the curves should meet where you stopped stitching the blades together.

Preparing background

Cut one 18-1/2 inch square of background fabric. Lightly press the background block vertically and horizontally.
Lay the full plate on top of the block, matching seam lines with the creases. This will center the plate on the background block. Measure in from the outside edge of the block to the mark you made between pairs of blades; this will help ensure that each plate is centered. Baste each plate 1/2-inch from the marked applique line. Also baste along the inside circle, using small stitches and regular sewing thread; these stitches will be permanent and should be less than 1/4-inch from the edge of the plate.

Figure F

Add four quarter plates (figure F), one in each corner, arranging them until you are satisfied with position. Baste as above: temporary basting 1/2-inch from the marked applique line, and within the 1/4-inch seam allowance on both sides and the lower arc; this should be done with regular thread, as it is permanent.

Using a four-inch freezer paper template, press the freezer paper circle to the right side of the circle fabric and trace around the freezer paper to mark the line for applique. Remove the paper and cut out the circle, leaving a 1/4-inch seam around it. Find the center of the circle, and pin, and match the pin to the center of the background block. Pin in place, checking that all the raw edges of the plate's center will be covered; measure from the outer edges to the drawn line to re-check centering. Baste 1/2 inch from the drawn line.

Trace 1/4 circles onto fabric. Cut out roughly, then, using a ruler, add 1/4 inch to the straight sides and rotary cut. Shape curved edge, leaving a scant 1/4-inch beyond the line. Add 1/4 circles to the outside plates. Baste in place.

Figure G

Applique

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.
Press the block. Leave the background fabric under the entire plate because the plates stand out more predominately.
Cut three border strips the width of the fabric and 2-1/2 inches wide.

Assembly
Add borders as described below.

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.
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.
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.
Add a hanging sleeve, binding and label.

____________________________________________

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

Fiesta quilt

Cool Cats

Resources
Dresden Plates of Distinction
by Sharon Stroud
Order this title from Amazon.com.
American Quilter's Society / Collector's Books
Website: www.americanquilter.com

Dresden plate template
DPW-14C
ARDCO Templates by QuiltSmith, Ltd.
Website: www.ardcotemplates.com
Guests
Sharon Stroud
Quilter, Teacher, Author
Groton, NY
E-mail: sharon@sharonstroud.com
Website: sharonstroud.com
Also in this Episode

Simply Quilts : Episode QLT-827
•	Hand-Dyed Fabrics
•	Sizzling Dresden Plate

Shows A - Z

Sizzling Dresden Plate

Tools

MOST POPULAR