Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Bitten by the Dresden Bug

They are just so much fun to make! At retreat last Saturday, I got a start on my Urban Home Goods Swap. I was lucky and got a great partner who gave me lots of ideas in her sign up message. This is what I've done for her so far:

UHG swap start by Poppyprint

I used a charm pack of Momo's It's a Hoot and cut 5" dresden blades using the narrowest end of the 22.5 degree dresden ruler from Nifty Notions. After piecing the entire plate (and the quarter plates) I machine appliqued them onto white quilter's linen using a blind hem stitch. This is a great stitch for machine applique - here I reduced the stitch length and width to the smallest setting my machine would allow. In the close up below, you can see the 5 straight stitches that are made into the white background and the one left hand zag that goes into the applique piece. You just have to take care at the corners and pivot at the right time. I don't get too fussy if the zag lands right at the corner. It all looks great when you stand back a metre!

It's a Hoot dresden detail

I'll have some pretty bee blocks to show you soon.

Slow and steady, that's my sewing mantra these days.

17 comments:

Live a Colorful Life said...

Beautiful. And I love the machine stitch you used!

Cascade Quilts said...

love this block! It would make a great quilt! ::headed to look at what I have for charm packs::

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Those dresdens are so pretty. I wish my mantra was slow and steady - I start that way then get bored, put my machine to full speed and make a right old mess. Looking at this, I need to get some It's a Hoot, it's gorgeous.

dutchcomfort said...

That’s a nasty bite my dear! Kidding, I love Dresden plates! When I see beautiful blocks like yours, I want to make a big quilt of Dresdens!

paulette said...

Stunning!! If you're going to get bit that's a VERY good bug to do the biting!!
P

Jamie said...

Those are beautiful, Krista! You've given me some inspiration for my It's a Hoot charm pack and my new Dresden ruler that is slowly on it's way to my house. I can't wait for it to arrive!!

Amy Friend said...

It's beautiful. Your stitching and piecing are always so perfect.

Lisa W. said...

I have been bitten by that Dresden bug too! I bought a template last year and I think it's time to use it. :). Your project is looking good!

karen @ badlandsquilts said...

Wonderful! So nice & bright and springy!

Tiffany said...

Oh my, the stitching is perfection! Nice close up.

Selvage Quilter said...

So beautiful. Soft and springlike.

Ariane said...

I love your dresden. Looks great!!

What Comes Next? said...

it looks so nice! A Dresden Plate is definitely on my gotta do it list - the first quilt I remember sleeping under was a Dresden Plate that came from my grandmother and we had a matched set for the bunkbeds! While I'm not a reproductions fan, it is what I always think I'm going to make my Dresdens from!

Bec said...

Oh they look amazing!! I havent thought of using that stitch before for applique... but it looks great! Might just have to give it a try xx Thanks for helping xx

Sparky said...

bitten too..very pretty krista...

Unknown said...

Love them!! I agree, slow and steady when doing the machine applique. They look perfect!

Canadian Kristin said...

Love the Dresden's and am inspired to try a new stitch (for the first time ever) today!