Dresden Plate

Quilting Patterns - Dresden Plate Quilt

This lovely pattern is pieced and then appliquéd to a 16-1/2 inch square. The pattern can be made with two or four alternating colors or scraps left over from other projects. The block is made on an adjustable hand held square frame. For one block, you will need a 16-1/2 inch square of muslin (top), a 21 inch square of muslin (backing), two 2-1/2 x 16-1/2 and two 2-1/2 x 20-1/2 inch outside stripping, 20 pattern pieces and a 20-1/2 inch square of batting. The finished block measures 20 inches square.

206 Patchwork Quilt Patterns: The Famous Ruby McKim Book Plus A Bonus Of 105 Vintage Patterns.

Trace the pattern given onto lightweight cardboard or plastic. Be sure to add ¼ inch on all sides for seams. Cut 20 pieces, 10 light and 10 dark, or 5 of 4 different fabrics. Using piecing stitch, piece these petals along the side seams, alternating colors, to form a circle. Turn outside edge in ¼ inch and baste, leaving thread ends on top so they can be easily removed after the appliqu¼ing is complete. Do the same with the center edge. Fold the 16-1/2 inch muslin square into fourths to find the center of the square. Being sure that the circle is perfectly centered, appliqu¼ the Dresden Plate circle onto the muslin using the hemming stitch. Add the 16-1/2 inch stripping on 2 opposite sides; the 20-1/2 inch strips on the remaining sides.

With a light pencil, trace the quilting pattern you prefer in the center and corners. The center looks attractive with a crisscross pattern, a monogram or a flower-like design. Quilting patterns can be found in needlework stores or be creative and design your own.

Assembling: Place muslin on frame and pin in the corners pulling taut. Add batting and top. Pin at corners through all three layers. Backing will extend 1/2 inch past top. Then pin in the middles of opposite sides, then the other two sides. As you pin, tug the backing slightly to keep the muslin tight. Continue to pin al the way around the quilt block.

Dresden Plate (Cut 20)

Add 1/4 inch on all sides for seams

Quilting: Using an arm's length of quilting thread and a number 7 or 8 quilting needle, knot the cut end. This will help prevent tangling. Pull the thread from the back and snap the knot through the backing into the batting so no knots show. You will hear the knot snap as it goes through. Be sure it doesn't come all the way through the top too. Using a quilting stitch (running stitch, 6-11 stitches per inch) follow the quilting diagram above, starting with the center and moving to the outside. Try to maintain even stitches. Small stitches are desired.

Finishing: You have now completed one block. This could be used as a pillow top by closing the outside seams, adding the backing of a pillow slip and a pillow form. Or you could use this as the first block of a sampler quilt or make an entire quilt using all Dresden Plate blocks. A twin size bed requires 8 blocks for a top; a double or queen, 12 blocks, a king, 16 blocks.

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