My Mom did enough Dresden Plate squares for a bed size quilt. They are appliqued by hand. Now that she is gone, I would like to make them up. When I got them out the other day, I found that very few of the squares are square. Should I take the "plates" off and re-applique them? or try cutting them down to size? Some of them are off-center. Maybe, I should just start over. What should I do? Thanks for you time and help. Love this site!!

Hmmmm....I dunno, since it was done by your mum's hand, who has passed on, I would leave as much of the original work intact. Can you square them effectively? I would do that first. Or, can you add a border on each of the squares to standardize the squares that way?

I think I would square them up as best I can. I feel saving as much of the original work is part of the charm of preserving the old blocks. I am currently hand quilting an old quilt where NONE of the corners match. It drives me crazy but that is part of the charm of this quilt. Just enjoy your mothers work with love.

I agree. Keep as much of your mother's work as possible. That's what the quilt is about.

How about adding a small border to edge block to square them up the end result will give you a wonky look but your mom's original work will be intact

Another one here who agrees :)

Oh yes. Keep her original stitches in the quilt. Post some pics if you would.

I agree, keep the plates as much as you can to be original. I would try to square them up and add a small border around each block. You may have to add, maybe a half inch around one and two inches around another, such as that. You will love it once it is finished. Can't wait to see it.

If the dresden plates are laying fairly flat on the backgrounds, I also suggest keeping as much of your Mom's original work as possible and compensate (even up the squares) either by adding sashing/borders or trimming to the same size.

I kind of think that when the people were doing this way back when, that they were planning to trim to a more or less even size after they had all the blocks made.

I would try to square them up, even if the blocks end up smaller but all the same size. Don't do away with the work your mom did, you'll never see her stitches/work again. My mom passed 23 years ago, I have kept cards, letters, etc. she wrote on knowing it's the last of her signature. Good luck! :)