Dresden Plate Love

Someone asked me where I learned all this stuff and I realized I am mostly self taught. I read books, blogs and constantly are on Flickr to get inspiration.

The last few weeks on Sew and Tell I have seen a few interpretations of a Dresden plate block and knew I had to make one. You all come up with great stuff! I want to make it all. 

Amy had one as well as Tara and someone else had beautiful 4 block wallhanging (sorry let me know who this was- the linky expired).

So impulsively, I bought a random book of applique, just love the poinsetta and lazy susans, and an 18 degree ruler from the same place.

First, does anyone know what the traditional rules are for this block? My block is 18 inches and my "petals" are 7 inches. I like the center circle to be small, 3 1/2 inches, but then some are large. All of them are beautiful. Flickr has wonderful examples of this stuff. I want to add some of my usual two and half inch squares as sashing to it.

Second, Moda Bake Shop also has a "to die for" tut. I pretty much followed the directions except for some basting with my sewing machine set to the largest stitch setting.

I also used freezer paper halfway through hand appliqueing the center. The circle didn't hold its shape after being ironed around the template.

Maybe I should have starched it? Used more stitches?

Then, I hand appliqued everything down with 50 wt thread. I used white. Wrong choice? Anyway, it doesn't show up on the blue. As for the red, I had to be careful. It took me two afternoons, and not including the crazy afternoon in my last post. I am definitely, going to dig into my 30s repros to try some more. I am in love!

Well, I'm in love, except for the hand pain that is now giving me Atari thumb deja vu. LOL

So go visit Sew and Tell. There are more talented and crafty people than me out there.