Let’s Piece a Mini Dresden Plate #4

We’ve made a lot of big Dresden Rings, now let’s try piecing a Mini Dresden Plate!

Click Here to find the new Dresden Template Set – This new set of templates can cut dozens of Dresden Plates and now easily cuts Dresden Rings as well. They are redesigned from the original template set I created in 2017 and are now much more functional!

Check out the new Circle Template Set Here – This set of 5 circles are perfect for creating the appliqued center circles for your Dresden Plates. I’m also playing with fun quilting designs using quarter and half circle shapes, which you can easily cut using the marks on these templates!

Find True Grips for the back of your templates here – I place these little grips on the backs of my templates to stop them from sliding when cutting. One pack of True Grips should be enough to cover all 6 Dresden Templates.

Find the microtip glue bottles here – You only need a thin line of glue on the folded edges of your Dresden Ring. Too much glue will really make a mess! I put Elmer’s school glue in a bottle and can easily dispense a thin line exactly where I need it.

Niagara brand spray starch is my favorite, only because it comes in a spray bottle instead of an aerosol can. I also use grocery store freezer paper to make my turning templates. Check your local grocery store to find a basic liquid starch and freezer paper that works best for you and is readily available.

How to Follow Along

Remember – This is a Block Along, so we’re going to work block-by-block. No, there isn’t a pattern, fabric calculation, or a picture of the finished quilt.

Find links to all the blocks shared so far at the bottom of this post! The purpose of this project is to use up scraps or your favorite fat quarters. Working on one block at a time makes this a lot less stressful and encourages you to shop your stash for material. I’m planning to use up my stash of 1930s reproduction fabrics, which I’ve been saving for over ten years!

Preparation to Piece Dresden Ring #4

To make this 16 petal Mini Dresden Plate, you’ll need the following materials:

Fabric A – 2 1/2 x 21-inch strip

Fabric B – 2 1/2 x 21-inch strip

Fabric C – 3 inch square

Background square – 14 inch square (roughly) – we will trim this down to 12 1/2 inches when it’s time to piece a quilt together.

How to Piece Dresden Ring #4

Cut 8 petals each from Fabric A and B using Template #5 – 16 Petal Point for a total of 16 petals. Follow the instructions in the video above to create the pointy end of the petals.

Piece the petals together in sets of 4, then piece the four quarters together to create the mini Dresden Plate which will measure 5 3/4 inches.

Finally, follow the instructions in the video to create a freezer paper turning template and turn a 2-inch circle for the center of your Dresden Plate.

How to Secure Your Dresden Ring

Fold your background fabric square in half and press to create crease lines running through the center in both directions. Peel off all the paper on the back of the fusible web. Center the Dresden Plate on the fabric and fuse it in place. Using a Microtip Bottle, glue the inner points of the ring in place and press with a hot, dry iron to heat set the glue.

Finish the Dresden Ring with a bit of stitching around the inner and outer edges. I like to use a straight stitch, 1/8 inch away from either the raw or folded edge of the fabric. I’ve decided to use white thread throughout to make securing the 1930s fabrics down quick and easy.

So that is it for how to piece a Mini Dresden Plate and our 4th block in this Block Along! We have many fun Dresden Plate and Dresden Ring quilt blocks to come in 2022. I can’t wait to show you all the fun shapes you can cut with the new Dresden Template Set.

Let’s go Quilt,

Leah Day

Piece more Dresden Rings with me!

How to Piece Curved, Fused Edge Dresden Ring – #1

Make a Dresden Ring in a Ring – #2

Curved and Pointy Dresden Ring – #3