We're piecing a Spinning Dresden Plate today and experimenting with cutting the petals very different lengths. Learn how to piece this easy Dresden Plate block in this quilting tutorial:
Check out the tools and supplies I used in this quilting tutorial:
This Spinning Dresden Plate is entirely created with straight edge petals created with Template #3. We cut the petals different lengths in order to create this unique effect.
Preparation to Piece a Spinning Dresden Plate Quilt Block
Here are the fabrics you'll need for this block:
Spinning Dresden Plate Petal Preparation
Follow the instructions in the video on cutting your petals and preparing them for this block. You'll need 4 straight-edge purple petals and 8 straight-edge green petals.
How to Piece a Spinning Dresden Plate Quilt Block
We piece this block together in sets of 3. The longer purple petal is in the center with two green petals on both sides.
Make sure to align and piece from the inside edge of the petals.
The outside edges will not line up. That's okay! Piece all the way to the end of the purple petals. This stitching line will help you fold over the seam allowance neatly.
You will find the seam allowance winging out over the edge of your straight-edged petals. To fix this, simply fold the excess seam allowance under and press firmly to secure it.
How to Secure the Spinning Dresden Plate to the Background
Fold your background fabric square in half and press to create crease lines running through the center in both directions.
It's entirely up to you how this Dresden Ring is positioned on your fabric. I show a few different ideas in the video. Here's how I ultimately placed my Spinning Dresden Plate:
Once the Dresden Ring is properly positioned, apply a thin layer of glue to all of the turned edges (both inside and outside each petal shape). I use a Microtip Bottle to control the flow of regular Elmer's school glue, which is basically concentrated liquid starch. Dry the glue quickly with a hot, dry iron to lock the Dresden Rings into position.
Finish the Dresden Rings with a bit of stitching around the inner and outer edges. I like to use a straight stitch, 1/8 inch away from either the raw or folded edge of the fabric. I’ve decided to use white thread throughout to make securing the 1930s fabrics down quick and easy.
Isn't it cool the effects you can get just by cutting petals different lengths? This works for any of the templates Dresden Template Set. Have fun playing with all the different shapes and funky angles you can create by changing the size of your fabric strips!
Let’s go Quilt,
Leah Day
Find more Dresden Plate and Dresden Ring Quilt Block tutorials by clicking the images below:
