I finished mine earlier this year. I used 5 fabrics, and did the center circle the same on all of them. Charisma quilted it. I think you should do whatever is pleasing to you. I think charisma has pictures of several Dresdan Plates on her site.

I was in an on-line swap of "postcards (4"x6") from Hawaii". I decided the postcard idea was a blah quilt. I took each of the postcard pieces and cut dresden blades. I think my quilt is gorgeous (I also think all my children, grandchildren and great-grands are beautiful and super intelligent too). All the blocks are different, most of the centers are different, and I think I used several identical fabrics in one plate. I even used the "leftovers" to make the quilt border.

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a lot of good information....I have done them several different ways and like them all....I did struggle over the first one and then decided I couldn't do it wrong...I do use order in color but it all works...please let us see what you have made it will be interesting to see the finished quilt.....

I do the bag pull method and if I don't like the piece I throw it back and pull again. It controls the scrappy feel just a little. If you like more balance or more scrappy in the look, you know just what to do already. Your choices are listed so jump in and try some lay outs of you choices and pick the style you like best! Have fun. It will work whatever you choose.
peace

CATMCCLURE, This is one fab quilt. Your idea works ! Love it.
peace

That's the creative part of quilting. Decide what you like and do it.

I'm taking Craftsy's BOM and this month we did Dresden plates. I've done them before, but she did a modern take on them. My avatar is the modern take. I am making a quilt out of this fabric, just the two colors, and love it. I also like that the tops are cut off. Really makes it look modern. Just an idea.

I was thinking of tackling a Dresden Plate myself later this summer and this thought (question) popped up in my own head, because I have more dark-dark blues than medium and light. THANK YOU, OTIS for this great suggestion. I'll sort out the dark-dark blues for the north-south-west-east points, and keeping them scrappy within each plate. I also like the idea of laying out the blades and composing each block beforehand - I might be able to create a nice gradation OR secondary pattern in the layout, which interests me.

Bunny Tales just did a Scrappy Plate quilt recently. Check them out, she may have posted pics of finished projects for you to look at to help you decide.

I think the use of a "planning wall" would be key......I have mine standing in my upstairs hallway, so I can stand back and look at what I am trying to do......everytime I go by I look again......Everyones taste is different which is why everyones quilts are different, which is why this months quilt is differnt from last months. I do think the seasons, and the weather even sometimes play into it....winter sewing is different from summer sewing. Even your current financial status, are you able to go buy new fabric, are you going to go into your stash for everything......
But these are no real hard true rules, the final answer is.....WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.....
and thats my opinion and I'm sticking to it ;)