I have recently made (2) Dresden Plates and for some reason when I finish the plate it will not lay flat and I have to go back and adjust several seams. Please tell what I'm doing wrong. I am using the Easy Dresden plate template by Darlene Zimmerman; trying to keep 1/4" seams, etc. and I cannot figure out my problem. I have watched tutorials on DP and they don't mention this problem..thanks for any info you have.

I ironed, ironed, ironed mine. And then ironed it some more. :) And then it laid flat quite nicely. :)

If you've cut it right and sewn it correctly, then it should lay flat. Just a thread difference in each of those cuts and/or seams can add up to the plate not laying flat.

Accuracy and attention to detail are critical!

is there any sort of arrow or line on the pattern that would show you where you place the pattern on the straight of grain???

i'm guessing you're not attentive to the grain lines in the fabric...

No arrow, but a line at the top of the template for each size you want to cut. I put the 6" line on the edge of my material and still a problem. It's for sure I'm doing something correctly

another thing you may want to address is pressing
it is simple to DISTORT fabric if you iron incorrectly
if you use the search feature at the top of this page, you may come up with a large discussion on use of an iron...

if you are familiar with bias,straight of grain,lengthwise grain,etc
you can ignore this link:

http://sewing.about.com/od/beginner1/p/fabricgrain.htm

Are all seams pressed in the same direction? This might cause it to not lay perfectly flat, too.

Do you mean the plate alone won't lay flat, or is it after you attach it to the background square and add the middle circle?

Do you mean the plate alone won't lay flat, or is it after you attach it to the background square and add the middle circle?