I am having trouble with the Dresden plates. I want to make a table topper without the square backing, but when I trace the pieced Dresden onto a backing and cut it out, sew it around all the peaks and valleys, turn it inside out, the valleys are all puckered. I use a 1/4 inch seam allowance all around. How does one make those beautiful circulars?

Did you search the tutu on this board? Would like to see response from other member. I have never made one, on my to-do-list.

Look up Riversong. She makes beautiful Dresden toppers. I'm sure she would advise you.

A picture would help, but if I'm understanding you made a backing cut the same shape as the front, put them face to face & stitched all around; then turned through an opening. I think the quilters are calling this "birthing" method. Did you snip to the seam line in the valleys before turning right sides out? I don't see in your description that you added for seam allowances on backing after you traced all around?

Did you clip in the seam allowance?

No I didn't clip in the seam allowances. That might be my problem. I will try that. I couldn't send a picture because my battery on my camera is dead and I haven't bought a new one yet. Thank you so much for your quick reply.

Maybe I am misunderstanding but I have done the dresden plate and found to get some of mine to lay flat that I needed to take up a few of my seams a tiny bit. Even tho we sew 1/4" seams - if you haven't measured your quarter inch to make sure it is a true 1/4 inch - that makes a difference.

I used a 1/4 inch foot to make sure the seam allowance was consistent all around. I am going to try clipping into the valleys and see if that works. If not I will be back for more advice. Thanks for your help.

you have to clip the valleys

it would probably help to clip all around..... not just the valleys but if rounded the hills too.....That will make all the difference