Dresden Quilt
 

I just finished up this quilt. Woohoo! It's a little over 60" square. It will be a Christmas gift for my son's GF.

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I had done four blocks , but I did them on unbleached muslin, which just looked dirty next to the bright, cheery colors. So it was tossed into the UFO bin, where it sat for at least 10 years.

Originally it was going to be bed-sized, so I had enough fabrics stashed away with it to size it up. I had to detach the plates from the muslin, then I made up an additional 5 blocks to make it bigger. I used a white cotton sheet I found at the thrift store for the background. The border fabric came from my stash. I used another cotton sheet, also from the thrift shop, for the backing.

I tried to do outline quilting using rulers, but I just could not get the presser foot adjusted just right and kept getting skipped stitches, so I decided to try and teach myself to do sort-of feathers FMQ. The quilting is far from perfect, but I don't think it's too bad for a first time.

You did a great job on a beautiful quilt! Your son's GF will love it!

Your quilt will make a very welcomed gift. Your feathers turned out great, I haven't had the nerve yet to try.

nicely done and great quilting

Oh so pretty! I like the rainbow effect of your Dresdens. They just sparkle.

a very pretty quilt!

The quilt is so pretty. I love the colors and prints you used. It's such a cheerful looking quilt. Very nice quilting. It will be loved.

Great job on the feathers!! I haven't yet tried and you're giving me confidence. As for the muslin background, I've found the same thing - it just seems dirty next to the bright white that is the standard now. (Now what to do with that bold of muslin in my closet?)

She must be a very nice person.

Love your quilt. Beautiful colors.

You inspire me with your recovery of a 10-year old abandoned quilt project. What was old is new again. I bet your son's GP will be delight.:thumbup:

Your Dresden is so pretty and your son’s girlfriend is going to be thrilled!

Artsy one if you make 30’s quilts that muslin is beautiful and quilts I own from that time (inherited from family) the backs were muslin. It is delightful if you are hand quilting and the back is as pretty as the front. It shows off the quilting.

It’s a lovely quilt. It will be a wonderful gift

First time at feathers? Wonderful job...I haven't tried them yet either Learning2quilt.

I think many of us think we have to finish a UFO the way we initially planned...you have proven that we need to think outside this box, JJB! Thanks for sharing.

Very pretty. I like the bright colors and I like your idea of quilting feathers in the blades of the plate.

Pretty quilt! Nicely done~

What a great story. 10 years later you have finished a beautiful quilt. I love the bright colors. I am sure the recipient is going to love it :-)

I’d say you did an awesome job...and great rescue from your ufo pile. I’m sure she will love it!

Very nice dresden and love your colorful fabrics.

She is going to love it! Be sure to take her picture when she opens it.

Very cute!

It's interesting you used a thrift shop bed sheet for the back and background as bed sheets use to be used all the time and now most people don't. I have been thinking of using them for backing. I didn't know how difficult it would be to quilt as I too am new to longarming. You didn't mention any problems using the sheet so that is encouraging. It is a really nice looking quilt and quilting looks great. You've given me a nudge to try the sheets on the back.

Nice Dresden Quilt for the GF.

Beautiful dresdens and colors.

Wow! You did it! Congratulations on the quilt and your first quilting attempt, great job!!!

Beautiful......quilting looks fantastic...

A very pretty Dresden quilt. I'm sure she'll love it!

I love all the bright happy colors. Hope the GF appreciates all the work and love in this quilt.

Oh my gosh, I think your feathers are fabulous!!

Lovely quilt. Great job!

I'm glad you dug it out of the UFO bin, it's a great quilt!

I love the colors of the rainbow for your Dresden plate quilt! Always a big fan of the rainbow colors!

I was the opposite...when I started learning, the "wisdom" was to never use sheets as a backing because the higher thread count makes hand quilting difficult. Of course, this was also during a time when it was thought that "real" quilts were quilted by hand. I use my sewing machine, not a longarm, so I don't know if LA is any different, but I haven't had any more trouble quilting through a sheet than I do with yardage.

The way I see it, getting a quilt finished with a $5-6 bedsheet from the thrift shop is better that adding another floppy to the UFO pile to wait until I can afford 2-3 times as much per yard for yardage.

Love your dresdens and quilting. For your first time quilting feathers they are amazing. My first time on practice fabric only I knew they were feathers lol.

Your quilt is beautiful. so glad you were able to pull it out and finish it!