How to Sew a Dresden Plate Quilt

Contributor

By eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (2 Ratings)

The Dresden Plate quilt requires a lot of applique due to the circular pattern. Once finished, this quilt is colorful and beautiful. Make it from scraps of material or make a themed pattern quilt. Make the edges of the wedges pointed, rounded or use both ideas to make your Dresden Plate quilt block.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Tape measure
Material or fabric
Scissors or rotary cutter
Quilt bottom
Quilt batting

Determine Quilt Size

Step 1

Measure the item where you want to use the quilt.
Step 2

Choose the appropriate quilt size for the measurement of your item. Standard measurements are: Crib 28 inches x 52 inches, Twin 39 inches x 75 inches, Double 54 inches x 74.5 inches, Queen 60 inches X 80 inches and King 76 inches x 80 inches.
Step 3

Determine how many quilt blocks you will need based on how big you want your quilt to be.

Choose Quilting Material

Step 1

Choose a block of a lighter material 13 inches by 13 inches square. This is for the background piece. Choose a block of 5 1/2 inch by 5 1/2 inch square of dark material. This is for the middle piece.
Step 2

Gather 5 different colored pieces of fabric 4 1/4 inches by 9 inches. These are for the main wedge design of the quilt block.
Step 3

Calculate how many blocks across and down you will need, based on how big your quilt size is going to be. The finished block measures 12 by 12 inches.

Cut the Material

Step 1

Find a wedge design online (see Resources). Trace the design onto the backside of your 5 pieces of colored material.
Step 2

Cut the wedges out of the material. You will have 4 wedges from the 5 pieces of material for a total of 20 wedges.
Step 3

Gather the circle design (see Resources).
Step 4

Trace the circle design onto the block of 5 1/2 inch by 5 1/2 inch square of dark material. Cut the design out.

Sew an Individual Quilt Block

Step 1

Fold each wedge in half and sew the wider portion of the wedge a 1/4 inch seam from the bottom. Turn the wedges right side out and press with the seam in the middle of the wedge.
Step 2

Sew all the wedge sides together alternating the 5 colors in order. This forms a circle with the wedges' points or rounded edges outwards.
Step 3

Press the 13 inches by 13 inches square of a lighter material in half. Place the circle of wedges in the center of the lighter material. Pin under the outside edges.
Step 4

Place the circle in the center of the wedges and pin under the edges.
Step 5

Stitch the circle and the wedge circle into place.
Step 6

Cut around the lighter material to make the block a 12 1/2 by 12 1/2 square with the finished design.

Finish the Quilt

Step 1

Measure how many blocks across and down it will take to complete your desired quilt size and make the corresponding number of quilt blocks.
Step 2

Sew all the blocks together to form the top of the quilt.
Step 3

Find a piece of material as large as the top of your quilt for the bottom piece of your quilt. Place quilt batting in between the top and the bottom of the quilt.
Step 4

Machine quilt the pieces together or hand quilt them together.