Dresden Plate question

[Pandabear]

Before I try new blocks I always make one first from scraps. My question is, once the blades are sewn together, how are these pressed? Do the seams all go to one side? Do you open the seams and press?

[KathyCrofoot]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I push them all in the same direction. I don't think it matters much unless you're using lights and darks together - then I'd push to the dark side.

[bkthomas]

Re: Dresden Plate question

This is the link to Jenny's tutorial on this....at the 4:18 mark is when she presses....I was surprised to see that all she does is lays it down, right side up and presses! She does not even turn it over or mention the seam allowances at all!
I say I was surprised because I've watched it before and never really noticed that!
I always press them to one side, same direction all the way around.


Dresden Plate Tutorial - Quilting Made Easy! - YouTube

[Miss Sheri]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I do a lot of SITD so I usually press to the dark side too. Otherwise I would press them open.

[Pandabear]

Re: Dresden Plate question

bkthomas, I had watched the tutorial before I started, and that was the part that threw me. She just put the iron on the fabric and said press it! I'm glad I'm not the only one who was surprised.

I'm also wondering about the size of the circle. My ruler didn't come with templates so I have to play around with the sizes. Ive used charm squares so I'm thinking 2 1/2" or maybe 3" circle? Too big?

[bkthomas]

Re: Dresden Plate question

Pandabear, I like my center to be small so I take a fat 1/4" seam (consistency is the key)
So do like she said, find a glass or a cup that fits over the center that suits you...and use that!

[Bubby]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I press everything in one direction. If there is a light and dark side, press to the dark so you don't have any shadows peeking through.

[Bubby]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I think my centers are 4" finished.

[carolyn125]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I just watched a tutorial on dresden plate today. The said to press the seams open to avoid bulk.

[lilmouse]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I just pressed all of mine to the dark side....all in one direction...works best that way for me and it is the way I was taught.

[Juliadlf]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I pressed mine open for the same reason mentioned above...bulk.

[Vonnie]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I was taught to press the seams open on the Dresden Plate so it would lay flat. Eleanor Burns teaches this way in Egg Money Quilts. Also, she uses fusible interfacing and sews it to the circle, right sides together with a tight stitch, trims to 1/8" and cuts a small slit in the center of the fusible to turn, then after placing the dresden on the background, presses the center down (fusible side down onto the dresden and heat sets it down. I like doing the blanket stitch around it.

[Pandabear]

Re: Dresden Plate question

I was taught to press the seams open on the Dresden Plate so it would lay flat. Eleanor Burns teaches this way in Egg Money Quilts. Also, she uses fusible interfacing and sews it to the circle, right sides together with a tight stitch, trims to 1/8" and cuts a small slit in the center of the fusible to turn, then after placing the dresden on the background, presses the center down (fusible side down onto the dresden and heat sets it down. I like doing the blanket stitch around it.

I like the sound of this. My hand stitching isn't the greatest and if I can fuse the center down first, awesome sauce!