Making Scrappy Dresden Plates

I love making dresden plate blocks and hadn't make one for quite a long time. In the past, I've made a few quilts, table runners, cushions etc so seem to have had a bit of a vacation away from them.


If you like making dresden plate blocks, you should check out the #TinyDresdenParty tag hosted by @berry_birdy over on Instagram. 

After seeing all of the cute little blocks appearing on Instagram, I decided to make one too. I used some green scraps to make this one. 

I have various wedge rulers with different lengths and angles. These are how I'd cut my pieces in the past.

I thought I'd be a little bit wild and used my Crafters Edge Crossover II machine to cut little tumblers with the tumbler die for the outer blades. I wasn't sure if using the tumblers would work well enough to make the complete plate, but lo and behold, it did. Yay!


I then chose a circle die for the centre. I have the circle set, so was able to audition the circles to see which would be the best fit. It's finished with a ric rac centre which I think, is one of the easiest ways to applique the centre circle.

Have you tried the ric-rac applique centre method?

For this method of appliqueing circles, you line up the edge of the ric-rac to the edge of the circle (on the right side of the fabric) and then sew the ric rac down using around 1/8" seam. Basically it's just to hold it in place.

When it's sewn down, turn the ric-rac under and press. You're left with a turned circle with the lovely wavy ric-rac border. It's then just a matter of appliqueing it to the dresden plate. I just use a small straight stitch on my sewing machine, sewing right up against the edge where the circle fabric is turned under.

If you'd like to see it in picture form, I have an example of how I make my centre circles with ric-rac, in this older blog post.

BTW: I couldn't stop at just one Dresden plate block... here's another one made with tiny floral fabrics. These are addictive!

8 comments

  1. A very pretty green dresden plate.

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  2. those are nice and I like the added green rick rack around the circle

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  3. These turned out so sweet.
    My long arm quilter had a huge quilt top on her machine the last time I was there.... and it was a bunch of these dresden plates appliqued onto a fancy cloth.
    Impressive Anorina

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  4. Wonderful dresdens! I am going to look up the ric rac instructions as it looks terrific around the circle. Thanks!

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  5. Lovely Dresden’s and the ric RAC looks great.

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  6. This is so pretty, and I really like the background square too. I must have a go at the ric rac, it is not something I have considered or even known about. x

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  7. You’re having fun with your green fabrics. They look so nice and fresh. I’m intrigued by your ric rac circle method. I’ll have to have a look.

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  8. Too coincidental! I just pulled out a bag of small, scrappy Dresden plates and started working on them again!

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