Is this idea just too crazy?
 

I have been working on blocks that were originally made by my aunt. She went into the nursing home in 1968, so they are at least that old. After some work, I have the blocks laying flat. And thr background squares cut. Here's what they look like now:

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There doesn't seem to be enough contrast between the background and the blades. Also, the edges are so fragile and frayed that I don't think I can turn them under. Could do raw edge, or could try a offbeat idea. What trim did people use a lot of in the 50's and 60's? Rick rack. Is it insane to cover the outer edges with rainbow rick rack?

I'll be interested to hear other people's opinions. I don't think I'd do rainbow rick rack but a dark red trim maybe with a gold accent might look really sharp. You'd have to test for color fastness, 'though.

I think I would do a buttonhole stitch in a contrasting color to define them. I think many dresdens were finished like that anyway

I have to agree with lots2do. The bold and brightness are there for rainbow. Do you have any other colors for the background blocks. A darker color that would make the plates/blades pop and you wouldn't have to worry about ric rac. Otherwise the red and gold would be ok. Imho.

Can you fuse them to a stabilizer and them trim that up even with the edges of the blades and then turn them under ?

I like the idea of a buttonhole stitch to define them. Pretty blocks. Good luck!

Buttonhole stitch gets my vote too.

I also think buttonhole stitch would look good.

You could also use a very small satin stitch around the edges.

I have been toying with the idea of using one of the fancy machine designs on my machine to do edging instead of buttonhole. I would make the quilt (or quilt in strips) and use the design as the quilting and finishing of edges. Haven't had time to try it as yet. Has anyone else done it? Is it possible? It would be pretty on the plates. It would have to be a design that goes into the "leaves" to hold them, but close enough so that there are not too many frayed edges. (or use fray block first) Lot of things to think about before just jumping into it. That is why I haven't done it yet.

Something that could help is a dark center instead of the same color as the background.
As for the plate edges I would use a fusable webbing like wonder under or something like it to fuse it to your background then finish it with either a decrotive stitch by hand or your machine. I would not use Ricrac it would take away from your very pretty blades and be very difficult and bulky since it is not a biased product it will not bend and turn smoothly. If you really want to cover the plate edge how about a cording instead.

buttonhole stitch gets my vote also.

I agree with the fusible stabilizer like Wonder under. Zigzag was very popular in that era. A small zigzag along the edges would work.

Stabilize then buttonhole stitch is my vote. You might discover that, after using a stabilizer, you'll be able to turn under the edges after all. Please post pictures of your final decision.


Jane

If I did the rick rack I would choose a color like red or black or another single color that would work. My concern w/ the heavy stitch options would be the age and condition of the fabric, I would think a heavy stitch would cause fabric to tear, not sure if the stabilizing would help w/ that, but I think it might, just not sure if it would help enough.

Are you committed to the background fabric??

I would consider using a stabilizer that you sew around the edges of the fans, and then turn them inside out. That would put all raw edges to the inside. Then you could use any stitch you wanted to frame the edges. Sometimes, simpler is better. I'd practice on another fan and see what you like. I would not use rick-rack. It is too bulky and works great for straight edges, but not so good for all those points. I would choose a center medallion color and do the stitching around the fans in that color, or in the darkest color you have in the quilt colors.

I think they look good as is. A buttonhole stitch wouldn't look bad, though.

I would spray starch and iron them until they have stability. unpick about 1/4 inch on the end of the points just enough to turn under and stitch down. I would choose a solid fabric for the center, [if you do not have that already] and make a circle or even yo yo's to fill the center. I like the light background fabric. It makes the blades in the design stand out.

Another thing to consider is making the edges round instead of pointy. I have dresdens done both ways. That way you would probably have enough fabric to turn under, and you would not need to use stabilizer, etc. Just make a small plastic pattern so they all match. If you use that certain plastic, you could iron the edges under, ready to applique. I don't know the name of that heat resistant plastic but it is good. Then you could applique using any of the mentioned methods. Best of luck in doing whatever you decide.

If you want a finished edge, do the Eleanor Burns thing and cut a piece of lightweight fusible web larger than the Dresden Plate unit. Lay the web bumpy side up on your table and center the Dresden Plate unit on top, right side down. Pin to secure and stitch all the way around. Trim the edge to within 1/8" and then cut a slit in the middle of the back of the web and turn right side out, shaping the points for each one. Fuse the Dresden Plate unit to your background square.

You now have a finished edge which you can stitch down with a straight, zig-zag, button hole or blind hem stitch, by machine or by hand.

I have appliqué quilts my grandmother made in the 60's and they have the button hold stitch in black. Her fabric prints also became meshed together because of the colors but the black made them pop. Good luck this is a tough decision.

Roc Rak would not work with all the angels and truns. I would use a dark background, black or navy...,navy was very popular in that time period. Then I would use a close blanket or appliqué stitch. You could also fuse some lightweight stabilizer on the back of the fan blades and trim around the edges evenly. This will all but eliminate the fraying. Be sure to post when you complete it, would love to see it.

I like the buttonhole (or specialty stitch) idea too, but I'm also wondering weather a stabilizer or even some lightweight interfacing might help keep everything together.

Do you have your heart set on this background? I would like to how it would look with a medium or dark brown.

I picked up some Dresden Plates at the thrift store that were hand pieced. Just the Dresden blades so I need to put them on fabric squares. Because the hand piecing is a little loose, I am going to use the method Terri D posted & then use a blanket stitch. That way the plate seams will also be stabilized.

I would use black rick rack ay at all....or maybe change your back ground material to an off white with a TINY red flower print.

No, to the rick-rack, it would be a mess to do, #1, and it would not look right. I would do the button-hole stitch and if you want contrast, use a variegated thread or some bright color that complements the fabrics. JMHO

I would line them by laying them on a piece of white fabric and sewing a standard 1/4 inch seam all around the outside edges, then trim the white to match the block edges and turn through the center. You will need to clip the deep v before turning. Then add a dark center and decide if you want to do a blanket stitch in dark thread or not. They are very pretty with lots of variety and worth saving.

The stabilizer is a great idea. You don't say how many squares you have. Why are you finishing the edges instead of joining the squares? If you only have a few, how about stabilizing them, then have them each framed? I see them with the edges unfinished, but placed on a matting to accent the colors in the square.

I would do what TerriD suggested, with the fusible facing. In the long run you want a finished edge. And rick rack points curl after washing, and require pressing out individually after each washing. I'm old enough to remember that tedious job.

It looks to me like you already have the blades stitched to the block background? If you do, have a look at some examples of what the black buttonhole stitch outline looks like to see if it's a look you'd like. Here's one I found on google. https://www.google.ca/search?q=dresd...2F%3B800%3B600

Most appliqued Dresden Plate blocks had a buttonhole stitch around them, generally black, but you could just do a raw edge stitch around the block.

They really need to be against a much darker background. They are lost against the white. Since the fabrics are from an "ancient" time they are so different from modern themes and deserve to be the focal point. I like "fatquarter's" idea for buttonhole stitch, basically the finished raw edge applique technique. But please, change the background fabric. Or let us seem some other ideas you have the the background. Whatever you choose, let us see a finished block or two, or the whole quilt when its done. Good luck.

I think rick rack would take away from the Dresden plates. Use a darker color for center and maybe a non print tan fabric for background. The small satin stitch or button hole stitch would be my choice. You can use stabilizer or spray starch to firm them up. No need to turn under. Show picture when done

I think I would have each of them framed in a dark mahogany or dark pine frame and use them over the couch.
Just a thought....

Might drive YOU crazy trying to manipulate the rick rack. I'd either trim the block (if you can) or just do a blanket stitch around the edges.

i might try some of the stain glass black around the edges

That is what I did and I used a black background. Came out beautiful, made a bed runner using the quilt as you go method.

I agree with Terri D and Boston 1954 on both the issue of how best to applique them down, sew them to a background for application and use a darker background for more contrast. I also like the thought of framing them.

They are beautiful blocks and you are lucky to have received them. I'm sure whatever you decide will be a wonderful tribute to your aunt! Show us the result when finished ok?

I LOVE your Dresdens! I too give a vote for the buttonhole stitch.. it just seems like a perfect finish for your vintage blocks! Have fun!!