Dresden Plate Quilt

By Spotlight

Advertised in the Spotlight End of Season Clearance catalogue January 2010, here is your free project sheet.

Dresden plate quilts are often seen as scary or an advanced technique, but they're really quite easy once you have your template drawn! By following along with this project you'll soon be a master at the dresden plate and have your very own dresden plate quilt.

Final Result

Materials

Quilt measures: 55" x 67" (140cm x 170cm)

• Fabrics from 'Coming Up Roses' range
• 50cm Fabric A (green floral)
• 50cm Fabric B (mustard floral)
• 55cm Fabric C (blue floral)
• 60cm Fabric D (pink floral)
• 65cm Fabric E (pink garden)
• 60cm Fabric F (pink ditsy)
• 55cm Fabric G (blue garden)
• 65cm Fabric H (blue ditsy)
• 55cm Fabric I (cobalt blossom)
• 1.1m Fabric J (red blossom)
• 20cm Fabric K (blue stripe)
• 1.1m Fabric L (pink stripe)
• 1.5m x 240cm backing fabric
• 1.5m x 240cm wide bamboo or cotton batting
• Matching Gutermann 100% cotton thread
• Optional - clear nylon machine thread for appliqué
• Rotary cutter, mat & quilters rulers
• Quilting pins, tape measure
• Scissors, seam ripper
• Template plastic
• Freezer paper
• Water soluble glue stick
• Hand needle
• Sewing machine with ¼" foot and walking foot

Step 1

TEMPLATES
Draw the templates onto the template plastic using the measurements shown in diagram 1 - 2 petals and pressing template.

Step 2

CUTTING GUIDE - petals

Fabric A - 16 pointed, 10 rounded
Fabric B - 10 pointed, 4 rounded
Fabric C - 8 pointed, 8 rounded
Fabric D - 4 pointed, 20 rounded
Fabric E - 4 pointed, 12 rounded
Fabric F - 6 pointed, 12 rounded
Fabric G - 6 pointed, 12 rounded
Fabric H - 16 pointed, 20 rounded
Fabric I - 10 pointed, 12 rounded
Fabric J - 4 pointed, 12 rounded
Fabric K - 18 pointed, 8 rounded
Fabric L - 10 pointed, 10 rounded

Background squares - cut 2 x 12½" squares from each of the following fabrics - A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I & L.

Fold and press each square into 4 then in half diagonally twice (diagram 1 above) to find the centre for the plates.

Borders - cut 6 x 4½" strips of
fabric J.

Step 3

PETALS
Using the petal templates in diagram 1 trace and cut petals out using the above cutting guide, marking the dot on the round template ¼" in from the
edge - 252 petals.

Step 4

Fold pointed petals in half right sides together and sew across the top straight edge then flip top point over insert the pressing template and press carefully (diagram 3 below).

The pressing template makes it quicker and easier to keep all sides of the petals even in length for assembly.

Step 5

Layout 20 Dresden plates each of 12 petals as follows
• 5 plates using only one fabric - 3 with rounded petals, 2 with pointed petals
• 6 plates using only two fabrics - 2 with rounded petals, 4 with pointed petals
• 5 plates using three fabrics - 3 with rounded petals, 2 with pointed petals
• 4 plates each with 8 rounded petals in one fabric and 4 pointed petals in another fabric (these will be placed in the corners).

Step 6

To make the pointed plates sew together along the side seams starting from the top ensuring the edges are even.

To make the rounded plates sew together along the side seams ensuring the edges are even and starting from the dot marked on the petals.

To make the round/pointed plates sew together with a pointed petal as every third petal aligning the dot on the rounded petal with the top of the pointed petal.

Press all the seams in one direction.

Step 7

Create a template using the measurements shown in diagram 4 (below) and use to cut out 140 petals in freezer paper.

To do this, concertina fold freezer paper into 5 across the width, with shiny sides together, and staple.

Trace around template, cut out petals then remove staples.

Press shiny side of paper to wrong side of fabric petals.

Use glue stick to run a line of glue around the top of petal and carefully fold fabric over and stick to paper.

Step 8

Cut 20 x 8cm diameter circles from various fabrics.

Cut 20 x 6.5cm diameter circles from freezer paper and iron shiny side down in the centre of wrong side of the fabric circles and glue as for round petals in step 7.

Step 9

Arrange the 20 background squares in 5 rows of 4.

Place the 4 round/pointed blocks onto the four corner squares then alternate the pointed and rounded plates on the remaining 16 squares.

Step 10

Matching the petal points or top of rounded petals to the pressed markings on the background blocks, pin or tack each plate to the background square and appliqué in place.

There are various methods of appliqué - blanket stitch, blind hem stitch or machine appliqué. Choose your favorite method.

Step 11

Pin or tack a circle to the centre of each block and appliqué in place.

Step 12

To remove the freezer paper from the rounded petals and centre circles, make small slits in the background blocks behind the petals and centre circles, and carefully remove the freezer paper.

Step 13

QUILT TOP
Sew the 4 blocks in each row together keeping the blocks in order then sew the 5 rows together.

For the border sew the 6 x 4½" strips of fabric J together to make one long strip.

Sew to the sides of the quilt top then to top and bottom.

Step 14

FINISHING
Layer the backing, batting and quilt top, baste together and quilt as desired.

For the binding cut 7 x 2½" strips from fabric L and join to make one long strip.

Press in half lengthwise, pin to the edge on the right side of the quilt and stitch.

Turn to the back and hand stitch.

Attach a label or sign and date your quilt.

Note

All fabrics should be 100% cotton, washed & pressed.

¼" seam allowance used throughout unless otherwise indicated.

Read all instructions carefully before commencing the quilt.