I began my first dredan plate quilt this week. I finished all my blades and sewed them together to make 9 large plates. I put one of them on my block and started to blanket stiched around the blades, but the blades wouldn't stay flat. So I went to my LQS and they suggested to use spray adhesive. Came home and sprayed the entire back of my plate, and that turned out to be a total disaster...everything stuck to each other and I couldn't lay it flat and the background fabric bunched up. OMG...now what can I try??? Should I use wonder under?? What can use suggest?? I Need help!!! :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Did you starch your fabric? Would make it a bit stiffer to handle.

when i applique my plates to the background block i use lots of pins- pin the center circle first- then each plate along a long edge- then last but far from least the points.
i have used fusable webbing a couple times on smaller projects- i cut thin (about 1/4" maybe just a bit larger) strips of the fusable and place them along areas that i (think) will hold it well- i do not put fusable anywhere where i will be stitching- it is a bear to hand stitch through!
elmers school glue works fine too- and probably lots easier than the spray fusable....just put dots here & there- place it where you want it- smooth and flatten- when it's perfect- press it- it will hold= and the glue washes away in the washer when the quilt is done.

I would use a glue stick or fusable webbing

I'm working on one now...but machine stitching...I starch my background fabric and just pin...no problem..I've also used wonder under small strips on hot plates I've done...

The dresden plate you've sewn does it have completely finished edges, or ??
When I've made mine with the edges finished & ready to be hand appliquéd or machine appliquéd I pin the center and then down each petal. It is time consuming but you will get a nice flat "plate" when finished. And if using machine....slowly stitch around the outside edge. Hope you can persevere as it is a beautiful pattern.

I heavily starched and heavily pinned!

And be sure to starch and press your plates FLAT before you try to attach them to the background. If they aren't flat on your ironing board, they won't be flat on your background fabric. If your seams or cutting is just a little bit off, you can end up with a circle that is more than 360 degrees, and then it's really difficult to get them to lay flat.

I'm glad you have ask this I have dresden plate in my UFO box that I have been think I should work on. This is all helpful. thanks

OMG.... this post has got me scared... I stared a dresden plate for a good friend that is having her knee replaced next week.... so far the plates had been fast and easy to do.. they seem to lay nice and flat on the ironing board... I'll be following this post .. incase I have the same trouble!!!!
I freq use elmers glue stick for applique and to tack things down... I see it in this projects future too..
Good luck and wish me the same!!