Dresden Plates On An Existing Quilt
 

A friend gave me a large amount of fabric that were from her mother's stash. The fabric is from the forties and fifties. Buried in the pile were twenty Dresden plates. All hand stitched, raw edges on the blades and the center. They are gorgeous. I put each plate, wrong side down on a square of white fabric, turned it inside out and now have sharp finished blades. I then cut a circle to pick up the main color in each plate and sewed that to the center. I now have twenty gorgeous Dresden plates. I want to applique them to our black comforter which has signs of fading. So the plates would cover the faded places, but also make a beautiful new comforter. My question is; would you machine quilt the plates to the comforter? Would you hand stitch the plates to the comforter? It is a king size and working with on the machine will be a major feat, but sure would be quicker. If I FMQ the plates in place I wouldn't have to move the quilt so much and I'm thinking that would be more efficient. I will appreciate any and all suggestions.

Sounds like you really want this to happen. It also seems that this will be awfully difficult. I have no advice since I am not very handy with large pieces under the machine. Good luck. I look forward to reading what others will offer. And I am anxious to see the final product.

When I think of the comforter on my bed, I see a big, very thick thing with the batting as big blobs inbetween very sparse quilting lines....yes, it is destined to be replaced....so trying to machine sew anything onto a comforter would be difficult at best. Now if your comforter is in better shape, it might not be such a chore.....as much as I myself despise handsewing anything, I would think it best for your dresden plates.

I agree with Rose.

When you start the blanket stitch on a Dresden Plate it does not take very long by hand. It would take me a very long time to struggle with something that large and bulky on the machine.

I think I would do it by hand. In the long run will probably be a lot less work and look better.

I'm sorry, but I have to ask... Is this really what you want to do? Attach 20 beautiful, vintage, Dresdens that you have saved from a friend's mother's stash... to an old faded black comforter? Won't the black continue to fade in other places? Wouldn't you really rather make a nice new quilt out of them? Please forgive me if I am out of line... maybe the black comforter is nicer than what I envision from the description...

I'll join you Dunster, in asking for forgiveness too as I have been thinking much the same thing. I'd honour the original maker and create a new quilt much to the style that she would have made at the time.

Just goes to show ... UFOs are nothing new! :)

I agree, I would make a new quilt!

I also would make a new quilt.

I would not apply them to an old comforter. I would use new fabric for the background.

No, not at all. That is the problem, the comforter is in perfect condition except for the faded areas. The batting hasn't shifted, the material isn't thin and it is a warm cuddly comforter. If I were rich I wouldn't bother trying to improve the appearance of the comforter; I'd just pitch it and get a new one. There are many years left in this comforter so much I would like the ease of machine appliqueing I believe I willl go with what seems to be the majority opinion and hand sew them. Thank you so very much for your interest.

Yes, unfortunately in this case, it is very puffy. I do believe I will just bite the bullet and hand sew them in place. I have them pinned in place now and both my DH and I love the look.

That will come in time, but for now I need to rescue a perfectly good comforter and so I will be a good quilter and hand stitch the Dresden plates. Thank for your input, I very much appreciate it.

Why not make a quilted comforter cover

I don't have comforters because of dust and allergies, but couldn't you make a duvet cover? They aren't quilted, I don't think. They are just buttoned on one side, or if you are ambitious, you could put in a long zipper.

Hugs,
charlotte

Ok you will hand sew these plates to the existing comforter......but you will have to quilt thru the whole plate which is now attached to that comforter......otherwise they may come undone......so hand or machine quilt thru the whole thing either by at least outlining the center circle or also maybe every third blade too...just to give it more stability

I knew I did the right thing by asking all of you because eventually it would get through my thick skull what the right thing to do would be. So at 1:30 this morning, I get some of my best ideas then, I decided that those suggestions about putting those beautiful Dresden plates on the comforter wasn't the smartest idea I ever had. I'm going to make a duvet cover for it and use the Dresden plates on something new that I can pass on to my son. Charlottequilts, you confirmed my decision. Once again thank you one and all for helping me figure out the right thing to do.

... or velcro

Ditto what GailG said!

I find it much easier to come up with an idea when i don't actually need one. :)

Hugs, Charlotte