It was always my dream to have a Dresden Plate quilt but in my travels, I was never able to find an antique one to add to my collection. Sure there are off-shore facsimiles available that are marketed as ‘hand made’ but they never struck my fancy.
I spotted the ‘Easy Dresden’ template/ruler at my LQS last year and decided to buy it. The instructions are well written and very easy to follow so I decided to give it a whirl.
I used Madeira and Shangri-La by Moda to make the wedges for the Dresden Plates and Shangri-La for the sashing and borders. The blocks had to be cut at 14 1/2” to accommodate the size of the Dresden Plate. The wedges took two charm packs in total and I cut them at 5”, the actual width of a charm square which yielded 2 wedges per charm square. The centers were cut from additional yardage.
From the outset, I knew that I wanted to quilt this project by hand. I purchased a beautiful feather wreath stencil that I used as the quilting pattern in the alternate blocks.
The actual construction of the quilt did not take long at all. Because I decided to alternate the blocks, 25 in total were needed to complete the top. The finished quilt including sashing and borders measures 100” x 100”. Never in my wildest dreams did I plan on making a quilt this size!
It took eight months to complete the quilt. Not too long after I had started the hand quilting, I realized that I should have had it machine quilted simply because the actual size of the quilt made it both awkward and difficult to manipulate for hand quilting.
The 108” wide backing was a blessing when it came time to sandwich the layers.
The scalloped border added the finishing touch.
What started out as a relatively ‘simple’ project turned out to be a very ambitious one. I’m happy I did it but I doubt that I would attempt to hand quilt another project of this size.
Will I make another Dresden Plate quilt? Absolutely! That was the best part…cutting, assembling and appliquéing the Dresden Plates.
Happy stitching!
Kaaren
I love your beautiful quilt. I have been so inspired by Sherri and others lately, and now you too, that I got myself an EZ Dresden tool and am going to start on one soon. I am planning on using Moda's Glace by Three Sisters.
ReplyDeleteVery Nice! That was a great idea to go with every other block for the dresden. The quilting is also perfect for this quilt - really love your feathered wreaths.
ReplyDeleteVery Beautiful Kaaren :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty. One of my favorite blocks too. I love that it's hand quilted and scalloped.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is beautiful! The dresden plate block always looks so beautiful. I can't imagine hand quilting a project that large!
ReplyDeleteSo much loveliness in one quilt! Phenomenal hand quilting, wonderful piecing and beautiful scallops!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved the Dresden plate pattern as well. Yours is just exquisite!! All that hand stitching - a true labor of love. Another hierloom made!
ReplyDeletehugs, Linda
Kaaren, your quilt is wonderful! It boggles my mind that you hand quilted such a large quilt! I admire your "stick with it" attitude, I'm afraid it might have got the better of me! lol
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt! This is an heirloom piece thats for sure.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! I love the quilting you did in the alternate blocks.
ReplyDeleteWell done. I have always thought that quilting a big quilt by hand is like tackling a huge book. You read one page at a time and you quilt a bit at a time.
ReplyDeleteGORGEOUS!!! I love your quilt! And I'm so impressed that you hand quilted it as well! Your fabric selection is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely beautiful quilt and all that hand quilting is spectacular! Give yourself a big pat on the back...well deserved!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! I love how you quilted it and the scalloped border. The dresden's are perfect.
ReplyDeleteKaaren your quilt is beautiful. Your setting really keeps your eye moving around the quilt. Your hand quilting is wonderful, now that its finished I am sure you are glad you did hand quilt. It makes is a heirloom quilt for your family.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful treasure there, Kaaren! Your idea and finished work is definitely inspiring and heirloom quality. Enjoy it! Job well done.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! I love it! Everything about it looks great!
ReplyDeleteYours is the second post today I have read about that ruler and I may have to check it out. I love the dresden plate, but again, a little nervous!
Yours is great!
Kaaren it is beautiful and looks so sweet on that bed. It invites you to lay down and touch it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely quilt, I have never seen a template for one before either. I'm sure that will become an heirloom for your family.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I have a Dresden Plate top in the works, but can't decide how to do the border yet. I love the scalloped edge, I'd like to try that sometime.
ReplyDeleteIt is really beautiful. The quilting is wonderful. I have made a few Dresden Plate quilt blocks but never a whole quilt. It is on my to do list.
ReplyDeleteOh Kaaren, that quilt takes my breath away stunning!!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is... my mouth is hanging open!
ReplyDelete(apparently my awe is not a pretty sight to behold!)
(but your quilt sure is!)
Thank you for your kind words about my Westie Yogi! How is your Westie Mac? What are the bubble growths on his front paws? I hope he is already on the mend!! Polly :-)
ReplyDeleteKaaren, this is going to be a quilt that will be treasured for many years. Specially since you hand quilted. It may be 100 years from now being put on Antique Road Show.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie
You should be very proud of this quilt, it's gorgeous! Wow your hand quilting is even more stunning.
ReplyDeleteKaaren, what a masterpiece! For a "new" quilter, there is nothing new about this quilt! I applaud you for hand quilting it - I know it was a huge job, but the quilting really shows off your wonderful dresdens and marvelous work!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
WOW ! I think I've said this about some of your other work too.
ReplyDeleteSo maybe I should say WOW, WOW!
Oh my goodness, Kaaren it's beautiful - wait, it's stunning - wait, it's drop dead gorgeous. I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG you never cease to amaze me. This is gorgeous..hugs Khris
ReplyDeleteKaaren..it is well worth the efforts that you put into it.. Ilove hand quilting and do most of my quilts by hand large and small especially when it is applique.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do do another one cause your quilting is exceptional!!
Stunning!! What incredible handwork in the quilting...just beautiful.
ReplyDelete