Dresdens
 

I cut two out of 5" squares so they are small. How do you know how many you need for a complete circle? Do you need to make sure you do 1/4" seam or should it be a scant 1/4"? Why do I have such a large circle? I just can't seem to get a Dresden to go like it should. :-(

I use a full quarter inch seam because the ones I have done have the points on the end and need the extra stability. I, also, backstitch at the end of the seam where the sides finish near the pointed end. I have no idea how many you will need. That will depend on how wide they are and then I still wouldn't know. A circle is 360 degrees. Measure a finished size of yours, on a circle to find out how many degrees wide it is. Then divide that into 360. That may tell you. Be sure to keep your seams exactly 1/4". I had problems because I was tailing off at one end and mine wanted to cup up. A lot of resewing involved....haha

I did 1/4" on all of them. I took my time so they were all the same. 20 of them didn't cut it. To get a circle or resemblance of one I have to use 40. The circle is 14" across which is ridiculous. :-( The following picture only has 20 but mine won't come together at 20. I think I figured it out. The bottom part that makes the circle is too wide. They are 2". I have to trim them to 1". Sound right? :-)

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...0f25598a65.jpg

those rainbow dresdens are to die for!!!!!!

It depends on how big/what size they are. For example: Are they a 10° wedge? 360 divided by 10 = 36.

The narrower the end of your template determines how small the center is

mine is the easy dresden by EZ Quilting, doesn't say what degree but it does take 20 to make one by the directions, I've made several 5" and 8", they all take 20.

Yup... I see what I did now. I'll re-cut them all and should be good to go. :-) Thanks everyone.

I found that pic on the web to illustrate how big my circle was. I didn't make those. :-( Here is a large pic of one to show how it was done: http://theoldcraftstore.com/wordpres...02/rug-mug.jpg A wide circle end to the blade will give you a large circle. :-) Sorry if I confused anyone to think they were mine.

Love my Dresden ruler.

Ok, I give up! I cut them down to match the ruler and I only have 2/3rd of the circle! :-(

Dresdens can have 12 to 20 blades. It al depends on how wide the degree blade you use. To make your center smaller, extend the narrow end of your ruler to make a longer blade. The center will get smaller as the end of your blade is narrower

Your colors are just great.

I made three dresden plate quilts. I don't remember any details now. I don't think I wrote any notes on them either.
By the time I finished them I was pretty tired of them. Not sure I will make any more.

marycyn, I have made some that ranged from 12 blades to 30 blades. You need to know the degrees of the ruler you are using. How many blades does your 2/3 circle have? You need 1/3 more blades and you will have a whole plate. The last one I made had a circle of approximately 1.25" but have made them with circles needed of 3.5. Depends on the width of the narrow end of the template. YOU CAN DO THIS! And they are worth the effort. I recently made one that was supposed to have 16 blades, grabbed the wrong ruler and found myself in the same predicament as you. Simply grabbed more fabric, made four more blades, and now have a pretty neat circle, if I do say so myself.

anything on you tube to help?

One of the tricks is to make 1/4 of the Dresden plate and square up the edges. Do this with all 4 quarters and then sew them together. Two 1/4 of the Dreden plate to another 1/4 Dresden plate and then straighten the edges with a ruler. Now lay the 1/2s on top of each other and sew. Press all seams to one side around.

this is pretty similar it only doesn't show trimming at 1/4 and 1/2 Dresden Plate.
http://www.sewmamasew.com/2010/04/dr...ock-sew-along/