In the ‘Modern Mandala’ and the ‘Radiating Circles’ patterns there are instructions for a 20 blade, 14 inch dresden plate, so I thought I would do a quick photo tutorial as an extra resource.
In the shop section of the website you will find a written tutorial and template for the dresden that you can download for free.
1. Make the template out of template plastic or thick card.
2. Cut a strip of fabric the length of the blade and then lay the blade template on top and using a ruler cut out the first dresden blade. Now flip the Dresden blade and cut out the next and so forth.
3. Fold the blades in half lengthwise, right sides together. Reducing your stitch length, stitch the wide edge of the dresden with a 1/4″ seam. You can do this as strip piecing.
4. Trim away the corner at the folded edge, being careful not to clip your seams.
5. Turn the tip right side out making sure the seam is in the centre of the wedge. Gently push the point out using a turning tool and press with a hot iron.
6. Lay your blades into a circle so that you are happy with the colour arrangement. Sew two blades together, right sides facing, starting at the wide end and backstitch at the beginning and the end to secure.
Continue sewing on the blades in the same manner until you have a full circle.
7. Make a circle for the middle using any method you prefer.
Raw edge, needle turn appliqué, instructions for both are available
free in the shop.
I am using the Faux appliqué method.
Trace a 3 1/2″ circle onto the wrong side of a piece of interfacing.
Cut 1/2″ away from the marked line on the interfacing.
Place the rough side of the interfacing to the right side of your fabric, and sew along the marked line on the interfacing. Use a short stitch length (1 1/2 to 2 mm).
Trim away the excess fabric and interfacing, leaving a 1/8″ seam allowance.
Cut a small slit in the interfacing. Be extra careful not to cut the fabric. Use tapered scissors.
Gently pull the fabric through the slit, turning the entire piece right side out. Use a turning tool to gently push out the edge of the circle. Finger press the edge of the circles.
Iron the circle onto the dresden plate and then with matching thread sew into place.
Download a free instruction sheet and template from the ‘shop’.
Rayls says
Great tips and tutorials for both Dresden blades. Thank you Roslyn.
Carolyn Murfitt says
Thank you!!
Carolyn Murfitt says
Hello Roslyn,
Thank you for your comment!
Best wishes
Carolyn