Checkered Dresden Tips

[Bubby]

I fell in love with Jenny's Checkered Dresden and I've been working on one. Here are a couple tips that I learned:

I don't love sewing long strips together and pressing them. I thought the strips would be much easier to sew/press/cut if I cut the strips in half before sewing. It worked like a charm, BUT I lost 2 cuts (blades) by doing this. Since the quilt requires 180 blades you need every strip in your roll. I ordered a couple quarter yards to makeup for this not-so-bright idea! Luckily I only did this on one pieced strip.

Despite sewing nearly perfect 1/4" seams, there is a little fullness in the center of each plate once everything is sewn together. I just made slightly larger seams on every other blade in the narrow section only.

The best tip of all is to follow Jenny's pressing instructions so your blade seams will nest.

Happy Sewing!


Drezzie.jpg

[catmama635]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Thanks for the tips! Your Dresden is pretty!

[Yanna]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Came out pretty. Thanks for the heads up.

[KaylaWalker]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

It's stunning and thank you for your tips. I can see how starting with shorter strips would be easier to handle.

Bubby, can you explain what you mean by adjusting your seam on every other blade at the narrow end? Does this mean when you started at the top of sewing two blades together you used a scant 1/4, but as you sewed down towards the middle, you adjusted your seam allowance a tad wider?

[EnumclawGramma]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Perfect! This is actually on my sewing table next, I just picked a jelly roll! Yours is beautiful and I can't wait to see your finished quilt.

[Cathy F]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the tips as this is one on my "to do" list.

[Shirley]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Very pretty!

[shermur]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Absolutely gorgeous, Barb! This will be fantastic when you're completed! I can't wait to see the final reveal!

[Bubby]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

It's stunning and thank you for your tips. I can see how starting with shorter strips would be easier to handle.

Bubby, can you explain what you mean by adjusting your seam on every other blade at the narrow end? Does this mean when you started at the top of sewing two blades together you used a scant 1/4, but as you sewed down towards the middle, you adjusted your seam allowance a tad wider?

I sew the blades with my standard 1/4" seam (starting at the top edge) but when I get to the final pieced segment (the part that will be covered by the center circle) I make my seam a tiny bit wider. I did this on every other blade seam so the "taking in" would be even.

I recommend you make a plate first and see how it comes out. If your plate is a little too full at the center, try what I do. You might only need to take in a small number of blades to make yours fit.

[Sharyn J]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Very pretty and thanks for the tips!

[MRoy]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Very pretty Barb! Thanks for the tips.

[klgls]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Thanks for the tips Barb! I want to do this one fairly soon.

[scooter15650]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

I love the fabric you used. You did a great job and thanks for the helpful tips. Beautiful block

0 Thanks

[CraftySweetPeas]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

I LOVE this! This block combines my love for "scrappy" with the Dresden Plate quilt. The minute I saw this I knew I would HAVE to do my very best to ignore the posts about this tutorial, because I have sooooo much to get done before Christmas.
But....this is SERIOUSLY making me want to start one now.
Can you explain what you mean about cutting the strips in half? You mean 2.5" x 22", right? And would it be possible to sew all the strips of that same print together, then cut them just a little longer (or shorter) than half and avoid having the shortage?

I am still working to locate the black Christmas prints you used in your Presents quilt....can you go SLOW this week? LOL!

[auntiemern]

Re: Checkered Dresden Tips

Barb, I love this. Your fabric choice is splendid. Can't wait to see the finished quilt. This is on my 'to do' list.