Thursday, January 20, 2011

Dresden Plate Tutorial

Hello Guilders. I finally have the tutorial up for the Dresden Plate block.
I used the templates from Material Obsession, a great book.

I used the cardboard from a layer cake as my wedge template. I needed 16 plates per block and I knew I wanted 12 blocks. I traced the template on the cardboard from a layer cake. I traced and cut the appropriate number of wedges.
Fold each wedge in half and then sew along the longer end 1/4 inch. I chain stitched all the wedges.
I forgot the next picture but here are the deets.
Clip the corner on the folded edge a smidge. This reduces the bulk in the corner. Turn the fabric out, poke the corner out, and iron the flap down.
Now for the centers. I traced the template on the fabric and pinned in on to non fusible web.
As an aside I found the circle template too small and had to recut a few.
Sew on the line.

Cut out 1/4 beyond the line. Snip the web and use this to turn the circle right side out. Iron flat.

Join the wedges to make a flower. Iron seams.

Fold the background fabric in half and finger crease the middle. Fold in the opposite direction and finger crease again, creating a cross in the middle. Use these cross hairs to center your flower.

Using the stitch of your choice (I used a straight stitch close to the edge) attach the flower to the background fabric. I used spray baste and a few pins to hold the fabric.
Attach the center circle in the same way.
Voila. Join your blocks as you wish. Use sashing or join the blocks they are. You can add borders.
The book, Material Obsession, gives the fabric requirements and a great way to hand quilt the top.







Friday, January 14, 2011

Pincushion Swap

I am very excited about our new swap, pincushions. Sign ups were at our January meeting and are due at our March meeting. You still have time to sign up. Leave a comment or sign up at the February meeting.

I promised I would put up some patterns for you to take a look at. If you google 'pincushion tutorial' you will get more ideas than you can look at.

Also take a look at Flickr. Lots more inspiration.

Here are a few titorials to get you started. I am looking forward to see what you create.

A pincushion in a bowl from A Very Dandioslion Life

Best pin picture and tutorial from Tall Scrapper

Pincushion patterns from Moda Bakeshop

Easy pincushion from Whip Up

Easy Square pincushion from Paper.String.Cloth

60 free patterns from TipNut