I'm not one of the resident Dresden experts here, but what I have is a template that I got at JoAnn's. You cut whatever length blades you need and then sew the ends to make a point. Then sew the long edges together and applique it down on your 12.5" background. Last of all, you cut a circle to applique down over the raw inside edges. Dresdens are applique.

The spruce crafts has a 12 1/2 dresden block

I haven't used this particular pattern myself, but there's one on Quilter's Cache: http://www.quilterscache.com/D/DresdenPlateBlock.html

For 20-blade Dresdens, I use the "Easy Dresden" ruler by Darlene Zimmerman. It comes with complete instructions, and a chart showing the size the wedges need to be in order to make a block the size you want. The ruler was only about $7, so it's a good value for the money. :)

For 10-blade Dresdens, I use the "36-Degree Double Wide Dresden" ruler by Me and My Sister Designs. It has a pattern book (sold separately) which has lots of ideas and traceable/copy-able templates inside it. :)

Happy 4th of July everyone. I see others have been busy sewing today also. I got two blocks done in between the storms.

Libster gets a chubby star also
Sewbizgirl gets a pineapple blossom

Thank you! I will check it out.
i saw one tutorial where they sewed the center to a circle of wonder under or something of the sort, and flipped it to create a finished edge center circle. I’m excited to try to make one of these. Thank you!

thanks! I didn’t see the one on quilters cache. I’m finding a lot of useful stuff there but it’s a bit awkward for me to navigate. I’ll check it out .

I really love your dresdens btw, very inspiring! ��

I just bought a 12.5 Dresden template.

Bstone I finished the sugar skulls. I took colors from the fabric the green fabric is a perfect match for those green leaves, and the orange is near perfect for most of the orange in the print. I thought the "lines" in the green fabric mimicked the line drawing in the skulls. Hope you like it.

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Pamela the rulers that have been mentioned are all good. So much fun you can do w/ dressies so many variations. Some of the modern ones aren't appliqued at all ( straight blades that come to the edges of the block) and squared centers. For my centers I make a circle w/ a stiff thin cardboard cut a piece of fabric about 1 inch bigger and do a quick basting stitch around the edges pull it tight over the cardboard and press the beegeesus out of it to get a firm pressing line, let it cool, take the stitching out and take the cardboard out and sew in place.

I agree about their site navigation. I wish they had a thumbnail picture of the patterns on the page instead of just the block name. Sometimes it takes forever to find what I'm looking for. It's still a great source for free patterns, though, so I can't complain too much. :D

The Dresdens are a little fiddly to make, especially the ones with lots of blades, but they're relaxing and not difficult at all. There are a lot of options with them, too, such as making the blades pointy, making them rounded, adding leaves to make a flower, different color combos, etc. :)

Kassaundra - You do amazing work! :thumbup:

Mona G, great blocks you made for Libster and SBG!

Kass the sugar skulls are another great design, what a fun block!