I am trying to sew the circle in my Dresden Plate quilt and I am having trouble keeping it around the circle. Can any one give me any advice how to do it right?. Or is there anything I can get to sew it with?.

Thank You,
Johnna

Hi Johna, not exactly sure what you mean, but try appliquing the center circle on top of the finished plate instead of piecing it, if this is what you are doing, this is usually easier. Hope that helps some :P You can also make the circle a little bigger then, I find that helps to cover a multitude of sins :lol:

One method that works well if you are not accomplished at applique is to face the circle. I suggest using a light weight fusible interfacing such as Pelon F911. Draw the finished circle size on the back of the interfacing. Place fusible side against right side of fabric and sew around the line. Cut out leaving a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Seperate with fingers and cut a slit in the interfacing center. Turn the whole thing inside out and smooth the edges. Then lay the circle on your block and press in place. Put a piece of paper under the block to protect the ironing board. This will hold long enough for you to machine or hand applique in place. Once your applique is complete you can turn the block over and trim the excess away.

I sewed each plate together then centered them in the block and satin stich all the way around I used a glass to make the center circle.
to hold in place to satin stitch I use a washable kids glue stick on the center and every few petals

If you go to the address you can see the one I did and how I did it hope it helps you
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/491.page

I was hoping you'd get an answer, because I have a similar question.

The only tip I have is to carefully machine stitch around the edge and tuck under the seam allowance, then hand appliqué. I used this technique to do fancy yokes on Western shirts for years.

I thought I'd do that around the outside edges, too.

Also, I put a thin circle of batting to hide the seams and seam allowance.

Did you get any tips from any other source?

My question was this: a friend gave me some partially completed blocks that have all but the last seam sewn (hand pieced) and I was wondering why.

I have done machine appliqué Dresden Plate blocks before, but they are the pointed end kind, not the rounded kind.

Loretta,
The first quilt I ever pieced was a DP like that. I was expecting my second child and my grandmother was living with me and she was pieceing one and I made one for my son. That was 46 years ago and I sent it to my Mother and the ladies at her church quilted it. I did not try my hand at quilting again for 42 years. Wish my grandmother could be with me now, what fun we would have. She is the one who taught me to sew.

hi there,
when I made my dresden plate quilt I spray basted my inner circles.

When I moved to Raleigh 20 yrs ago, I took a class and that is how the instructer had us do the center. That was my 1st quilt and the only one that I ever kept for myself!