Easier way to Dresden?
 

I love the happy feeling Dresden plates give me, especially the scrappy ones.
But it is so tedious to applique all those petals (16X each plate). Is there an easier way to do it?
The pointy ones are much easier, but I prefer the look of the rounded petals.
Any tips? Thanks:)

Watching to see....have the same thoughts as you liont.

I read about using the raw edge applique method. But I'm waiting to see if there are other more "non-intrusive" methods.

I sent you a PM.

I've seen them done (edges turned under) with big stitch hand work...looked really nice, but probably as much work as regular needle turn applique. I've also seen them done with a satin zigzag machine stitch which also looks nice. Have not tried either method myself.

Have you tried the book "Dresden Plate Quilt - a simplified method by Wendy Gilbert". Its a Quilt in a Day publication. You sew a backing onto the plate & turn it inside out then just applique around the block. I have been very happy with the ones I have made. Here is a picture of one:[ATTACH=CONFIG]344894[/ATTACH]

I think I know what you mean. Let me experiment a bit. Thks!

thanks for the idea Chester I have a few plates done just waiting to be sewed now but hands dont allow me to hand sew dumb me I was sure I could just sew them down with the sewing machine

Thks Chester. I just did a small experiment with a sample Dresden plate. I sewed the plate wrong side up onto a poplin. I trimmed away the excess around the plate, and flip it back inside out. Then I snipped, poked and pressed the petals. Then I trimmed away the excess poplin in the center. Did I do right?
If what I've done is correct, this method is fairly straightforward. The only flip side I see is the extra bulk at the edge of the petals, where the poplin is.

I'm interested too ... perhaps you could share your ides with the rest of us?



Here's a tutorial that might be of interest to you. (The earlier steps wouldn't be so applicable for Dresden Plates)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...e-t188532.html
I have a Dresden Plate of my Mom's that was done using this technique. All the blanket stitching is done with black floss.

I have done it like that but I didn't trim away the centre that way there are no 'ridges' around the edge of the petals

I did something similar to the method Chester describes. I had a customer that purchased an octagon Dresden Table Topper from me. She wanted 4 matching placemats, but just the Dresden plate - not the extra fabric I normally applique it to. I made the same matching Dresdens, then used coordinating fabric cut to the full shape of the finished plate. Sewed them right sides together, then made a slit in the center of the backing fabric to turn it through. Pushed out the points. I used the Easy Dresden tool but just drew the points as a sewing guide instead of sewing & turning each point. Then appliqued the center circle onto the back to cover the slit. She loved them & it worked nicely for placemats.

i have been fingering my completed dresdon plates, and trying to get up the nerve/ambition to finish them. maybe i'll give it a try with some of your suggestions. thanks for starting this thread.

I sent her a link to an episode on thequiltshow.com. It's not that I don't want to share with everyone but I don't think they'd allow me to send very many invitations to view a show.

you might try a pellon interfaceing instead of the poplin. Be sure to use, cutaway not tear away and procede as you did with the poplin. I don't recommend raw edge applique to anyone except for very small wall hangings that don't get washed. A few washes and those raw edges do fray. On most machines there is an heirloom stitch that will give you something close to that hand stitch you mentioned.

Go to Missouri Star Quilt Co. You Tube and they will show you how to do the Dresdan Plate in a very simple way.

Try a light weight interfacing instead of the poplin. I have never done this but have seen it demonstrated.

There's a tool available from www.ezquilt.com called "Easy Dresden" for the pointed blades - not for rounded ones. You cut a vee shaped wedge, flat across the top, then sew that flat seam, turn it inside out and end up with a point that doesn't have raw edges. So much easier than turning under the edges to applique. I haven't tried it, but wonder if the same technique could be used to make rounded blades.

I prefer to use used dryer sheets to turn under the seam allowance on my applique. Same method as using a light weight non-woven interfacing. The wash-away embroidery stabilizers would also work but I'm too cheap to buy them--LOL.

Isn't there a method where you use a smaller template & then use starch somehow to turn the edge over it? It seems like I saw that someplace. I love rounded Dresden Plates. While she was still alive, my Mother used to hand baste the edges for me. Some of my happiest memories are of sitting on her sofa, watching old B & W movies & working on Dresden Plates.

Thanks Zipit for the episode.
I'll try to describe the relevant parts here.

First part was the master demonstrating how to do hearts. She used freezer paper, cut to shape, placed at the rounded edge (1/4 inch away from edge). Then she applied glue on the edge. She folded/pressed/nudged into shape.

Second part was doing modern Dresden. What the master did was to divide every plate into quadrants, each quadrant has 20/4=5 wedges. She does the pointy edge type using the sew across and fold down method. Then she placed the center wedge in the diagonal of the background fabric. Then another wedge and sewed like we do in foundation piecing, and so on ... until you complete the whole quadrant. What is interesting in this method is that you are free to use that quadrant (90 degree turn) in what every way you like, twisting and turning at will.
I know I am not very clear, I am not too well versed in quilting lingo!

Yes, you have a point there. Thanks for the tip:)

You'll cut down on the bulk and the points in your curve if you use something lighter than poplin for the facing. The quilt book from the library used interfacing, but I haven't tried it. I'd prefer a lightweight cotton.

The method that Eleanor Burns uses is with fusible lightweight interfacing. You attach that to the back of your plate and then iron it to your background fabric and then stitch around it either by hand or machine. Very quick way of doing it and looks really good.

Maybe this will help. Eleanor Burns did a show on Dresden plate, Here is the the infohttp://www.quiltinaday.com/
Look for quilting videos then choose the Egg Money quilts. then find the video called Dresden Plate quilts. Good luck


Caroline

Do NOT use poplin... it's too thick. (I realize this was an experiment).

Just use a lightweight interfacing sewn right sides together; carefully cut a slit on interfacing side and turn inside out. lightly iron and the interfacing should shrink up just a little so it won't show on the outside edges and then hand applique as usual - but with ease!!!!!!!! no needle turns, etc. This should not be bulky.

Good luck.

"The method that Eleanor Burns uses is with fusible lightweight interfacing. You attach that to the back of your plate and then iron it to your background fabric and then stitch around it either by hand or machine. Very quick way of doing it and looks really good"

I used this method on the table topper pictured - after fusing to the checker-board base I used the blanket stitch on my machine to finish the edges - very easy!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]345198[/ATTACH]

I've used this method and been very well pleased. I did and SBS this way. Sew the fusible and fabric right sides together, cut a slit in the back of the fusible, turn inside out and press the fusible to the background.

I used this tool made by Darlene Zimmerman for a quilt block for lqs block of month. I found it very easy to use and it looks like the company also makes one with rounded top, you might want to check them out under "Sewing and Quilting" section.

I've used the fuseable interfacing sewn to wrong side of blades and then turned right side out and fused to background square. You could only use the fuseable at the top of the blade ,turn it right side out and then I either blanket stitch or zig-zag to background. Elenor Burns has a tute on it if I didn't make sense.Sorry if I confused the idea but she also make whole plate than sewed fuseable sticky side in and irond it to block after turning it rightside out.(split fusesble so it can be turned) No raw edges.

I am doing a machine embroidery Dresden Plate quilt; It is turning out just as I wanted and I love it. The design is digitized for my use in that I could not find a design to purchase. It does have rounded petals.

http://www.trulymaterialistic.zoomsh...xj/items/aiWy/

I made the most beautiful Dresden plate quilt from the pattern above:


It was just so easy to do, in fact I teach all my newbies to make one as a cushion or pillow sham.

Oooooooooh, your quilt is beautiful. I love it. I'd like to try this also. Thanks for sharing.

I think that poplin is a bit heavy for this project...might try inexpensive muslin.

the dresend plates are very pretty I'm going to try one with the points hopefully this year.

I use the poplin method but use some old cotton like a sheet but sew around it with wash away thread in your bobbin. Slit the middle of the poplin and turn the block right side out. When you have it right side out and how you want it. Use a steam iron and press it well. The was away thread will disappear, your edges are turned under and you can pull the poplin off. I use this method with numerous appliques. Works wonderful.

OK, that is the cutest thing I think I've ever seen! I love, love, love it!!!

That Dresden Plate quilt is stunning! Spectacular! Wow!

Didn't she used to sell pre-printed interfacing for Dresdens? It seems like I saw them once. Ditto for Sunbonnet Sue.

Instead of poplin use NON woven interfacing with one fusible side. Sew the fusible side to the front side of your plate with about 1/8" seam, then slit the interfacing and turn right side out. Then fuse the plate to your square. If you choose you can cut away the extra interfacing so you just have it on the edge for less stiffness. It's a snap.

Good luck

Chester your quilt is very pretty. You used the method I am going to use on mine. Glad to hear you are happy with that method.