Last month I posted a message telling everyone that I had been given over 20 old Dresden Plate blocks. They wer in terrible condition, as far as stains, etch. Got lots of helpful info on cleaning them. Vinegar and water was the best. I had to change the solution lots of times, and most of the stains came out. Thankfully. I am between round robin bordrs and started putting these old blocks on muslin. I have 22 of them and 6 of another version of the same pattern. Sooo I will use 20 of the rounded edge ones with a pointed edge one in each corner. That way maybe it will look like a design statement instead of just being short a few blocks. They will be 20" and have nos sashing. I like the way it looks like they are just floating on the muslin. But will add a border of something--maybe using repro fabrics if I can find some. Not all the stains cme out, but the goal was just to clean them, not make them look brand-new.
Also, if anyone could maybe date them, 30's 40's, 50's. That will help me in my search for some repro's to do the broder with. I am thinking of doin half blocks of alternating designs-- everyone being rounded and the other half pointed in the border to tie it all together. Opinions anyone?

Oh my goodness!
I'm not of any help to you, just admiring the blocks and can't wait to see it all finished!!

I should have mentioned in the 1st post that these were given to me by my best friend. Her mother made them and a lot of them were pieces fro old clothers. They were stitched by had, but there were seams in some of the pieces done on a machine which made me think they were from old clothers. I hope to get it done in time to give it to her for Christmas. She has no clue as to my plans, just told me that she'd never do anything with them and I was welcomed to them.

Oh my goodness I have the same blocks as the pointed ones 130 0f them! That one is made from old feed sacks, we found the writing on some of the. PM me if you need a few more, I'll share. I almost have all my blocks done for my quilt, 72 in all!!

oops forgot to mention mine are 6 1/2 from point to point, yours look like they might be larger.

Mine are about 14: across--they are going on 20" squares of unbleached muslin. Thanks for the offer, though!

I wish mine were bigger! it is taking forever to get them done. Can't wait to see your's finnished. I am going to put sashing between mine in a light blue I think, I found some fabric that has the same feel as the feed sacks.

the fabric in the pointed ones are mostly 1930s.... I have some of the same fabric in some old blocks I got at garage sales!
you can find 30s reprints...

Wow those are great. I dont know that I have seen one like the rounded ones. Those are really cool! I love your idea of the half blocks in the border! Cant wait to see it when you are done!!!!

I love dresden plate with a scalloped edge (all of the ones at my Grandmother's house were that way so no surprise I suppose). I'm currently putting a scalloped edge on one of my quilts and it seems to really "eat" into the size of the borders. So maybe planning something simple and wide would allow you to bring it all together with the rounded binding.

These are WONDERFUL!! Glad that you were able to restore them!

Susan

vicki reno...can't help ya but sure wish you luck on the out come....

Thanks everyone for the nice words of encouragement. The border won't have to be very big, since the blocks are 20" square. So my plan right now is to maybe but the flat side of each half block up against the inside edge of the quilt with the rounded and pointed ends of the "plates" facing the outside edge. So if I use say a 10" border and use half dresden plates, I would still have a flat edge which would be easier as far as putting the binding on. I don't have any computer program so I may have to do rough sketches to see how I like it. Or I could just applique the border and turn it either way to see how I will like it. Now I am going to have to find some repros. I have some, but don't think they are going to go well with the fabrics that are in the blocks. I am not in a big rush but do need to get moving if this is to be ready by Christmas.
I will be machine quilting it, cause I just got my John Flynn frame. I just have to get longer rails for a queen size quilt.

Vicki,
I have seen the purple with white and orange in the second picture towards the top and a similar green/white just 3 spaces to the left of it....the problem is I don't remember where. My mom collects quilts from the 30s, I have a stack of blocks of various sizes from the same time and I LOVE reproduction prints, too. I checked my stack and didn't see it, but will stay on the lookout.

There are some really lovely reproductions out there. My fav LQS has a large selection and something I haven't seen other places----several prints on each yard of fabric to coordinate. LOVE LOVE LOVE It!! I'm saving for the bride's bouquet already and found these yummy treats just the other day. Best of luck with this wonderful project & we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for great deals on repros.

Keep some pieces in your purse and check all the places you go....never know, and you can get a better idea of what goes :D

We are going back to the mountains this coming weekend and I feel tha tits my civic duty to help keep the quilt shops up ther in the black financially, so I will keep an eye out for nything I can use. This is what I found in the closet that might work. I had more than I thought I did in repro prints, so that was a plus for me, negative for the quilt shops. :lol:

That is going to be one very beautiful quilt!! Your friend is going to be thrilled!! I love the fabrics you find hiding in your stash!! Now I can't wait to see the completed quilt!! :D

How lovely, Vicki! I'm sure you will do that quilt justice. Won't your friend be thrilled?

a few versions I had never seen. the vintage fabric is something that is hard to reproduce ! I always love seeing old quilt cloth!

Thank you for sharing !!

Love your fabrics !!

I say the 30s.That is going to be a beautiful quilt.

Its fun doing it, but what is even more fun is that my girlfriend doe not have a clue that it will be hers. I send her pictures of my progress and she loves it so far. This is a good thing since it will be hers someday! :lol:

i have a bunch also from my mom. some are hand sewn, all different sizes. haven't decided what to do to put them together yet. makes life interesting.