FroggyinTexas

I have handstitched some, but prefer machine stitching. I cut the background the size I want it to be plus two inches on each side for squaring in case I don't get the Dresden centered just right. Fold the background in half one way and then the other and press firmly. The place where the folds meet should be the center. Put your Dresden on it so that the center is in the middle of the "hole" in the Dresden. Press the blades being sure to press down any variations in the blades. Those won't show after your quilt it, but they can mess you up when you are sewing the blades to the background. Pin the bottom of the blades to the background. Press the Dresden again. Pin each blade near the top. Press again to be sure you've got variations in the blades pressed down. You can put the center on the Dresden now you can wait until you've got the blades down. I like to put the center on before sewing the Dresden blades onto the background.

I use the feather stitch on my machine and try to coordinate the thread with the dominant color on the blade. I also put a paper towel behind the backing fabric for a stabilizer. Paper towels are inexpensive and tear away easily.

I'm sure there are other ways to do this and some may be simpler, but it works for me and my Dresdens look good enough that you won't see any flaws from a galloping horse. froggyintexa