teaching sewing confidence, tip by tip

Sunday, 20 January 2013

Oh No, Not A Dresden Plate? That'll Be A January Bee Block Then!


So on Friday my January Bee Block arrived from King Bee Brian.  Totally excited I ripped open the envelope and found the instructions, template and fabrics for a Dresden Plate block.  I've seen Dresden Plates many times around the internet, one of my recent favourites was made by my friend Kati at Kati's Quilting and Sewing, and I'd quickly added them to my list - no, not my To Do List (of which I have many) or even my Bucket List (which doesn't even exist), I'm talking about my No, Nay, Never List.


If you're dreading doing something my theory is to get on with it quickly so you can stop worrying about it, so I got up this morning all ready to crack this Dresden thing and that's exactly what I did.


Brian said "... use your creativity and as much latitude as you like.  You can do whichever size plate or several plates whatever strikes your fancy!"   There were few instructions, just to use the teal fabric for the background and the yellow fabric for the centre circle and then to applique to the background fabric. "Above all - have a great time being creative and modern!"



I decided to vary the length of each plate and to make some plates with square edges and others with points.

I love the back so much I have to share a photo of that too!


This has to be one of the fastest blocks I've ever made.  It is so simple and looks soooooo complicated.  I take back everything I ever thought about making a Dresden Plate block/quilt.  It was such fun and, yet again, being in my Bee has challenged me to learn new skills and given me another shove out of my comfort zone - a very big thank you King Brian.

I love my NYC Mod Bee :)

Related Posts:
NYC Mod Blocks



And you can click this link to see all of my NYC Mod Quilt Guild Bee Blocks and Challenge Blocks/Quilts.





 
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46 comments:

  1. Celtic Thistle20 January 2013 at 17:49

    Looks great Chrissie, a very modern Dresden Plate!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD20 January 2013 at 21:27

      I'm so pleased you've said that as that's what I was aiming for :)

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  2. Foster20 January 2013 at 17:57

    I really like the non-traditional look of your block. Now you have no more fear of the Dresden Plate.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD20 January 2013 at 21:31

      Absolutely, now I'm totally sorted and I am particularly liking that it's not the traditional Dresden. I quite fancy making some more for myself and leaving some plates missing within the circle and playing around with the length and the central circle some more.

      Oh no, I can't quite believe I'm thinking up ideas for a Dresden quilt!!!

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  3. Gertie Pye20 January 2013 at 19:12

    Oh I much prefer this to a traditional Dresden! Very funky and love the colour contrast.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD20 January 2013 at 21:33

      It's a good one isn't it Gertie? I do like taking the traditional and putting a twist on it. Crikey - Dresden Plate and contemplating Dear Jane all in one weekend, I don't know what's happening to me!!!

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  4. Erin Quinn20 January 2013 at 19:32

    OMG I love it! It looks so grown up and has a kind of grungy look that is amazing. It's different to any dresden I've ever seen. Definately a modern take on a fussy old school pattern. This would be an awesome inspiration for a teenagers quilt... I kind of want one :-)
    E xx

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD20 January 2013 at 21:35

      Well it's converted me Erin, I'm loving it. I really like Brian's fabric choices too and you're so right about a teenager's quilt, it'd be brilliant :)

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  5. Carol Swift20 January 2013 at 23:33

    The dreaded Dresden does not scare me anymore after making one. I was surprised how easy it was. I'm loving the modern look you've given it!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD21 January 2013 at 00:29

      Thanks Carol - it's so much easier than you'd think isn't it! :)

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  6. Julie21 January 2013 at 00:38

    Great interpretation!

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  7. Martha 21 January 2013 at 00:52

    Wow Chrissie it is stunning. You did a great job. I love that you did't make it a traditional dresden and made it look so modern and dynamic. I love it.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD22 January 2013 at 22:51

      A bit of a twist on the traditional isn't it Martha? I like it too :)

      Delete
  8. Bouts Choisis21 January 2013 at 03:27

    Well done Chrissie! That has worked really well. There are just so many blocks and techniques to try ...

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD22 January 2013 at 22:53

      Aren't there just and I'm working my way through them?! It's interesting to try one that you don't really want to do and to be totally converted :)

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  9. Lin21 January 2013 at 03:48

    I love it!

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  10. QuiltCandy21 January 2013 at 06:59

    Hi Chrissie, glad you gave Dresdens a go, they are great fun aren't they and I love your modern twist :-) This would make a gorgeous cushion in a teenagers bedroom, I am sure you would have lots of takers!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD22 January 2013 at 22:55

      I think this is one of my favourites ever! I love the idea of using it for a teenager and I'm thinking Liberty on denim too, mmmmm :)

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  11. Michele21 January 2013 at 07:52

    Love it! Just love it. The fabrics, the difference in the blocks, the entire thing. I recently tried a Dresden for the 1st time myself and though it didn't turn our perfect, it wasn't bad for a 1st attempt. I can't wait to find the chance to try some other options.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD22 January 2013 at 22:57

      Thanks Michele - I'm really quite pleased with this one and it's had such a great response from everyone too. Looking forward to seeing what other options you come up with now! :)

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  12. Catherine21 January 2013 at 08:21

    Love the blues and the scrappiness of the dresden - it's lovely.

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 18:47

      Wouldn't have put this combination of fabrics together myself so I have King Bee Brian to thank for that - I love it though! :)

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  13. Ivete Tecedor21 January 2013 at 09:31

    I love it too! Is it just me or do the plates kinda look buildings and the whole thing like a NYC skyline rotating around the center?

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 18:49

      I really, really love this one, and you know what it's like doing the Bee Blocks. I so agree about the NYC skyline - it looks like that out of my window if I squint my eyes and spin my head!!! Catch up next week? :)

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  14. Scrapatches21 January 2013 at 12:55

    Very visually interesting block Love the fabrics. Thanks for sharing on the Monday Link Up ... :) Pat

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  15. Anna21 January 2013 at 13:37

    I really like the effect of having different shapes and sizes! The colors are great, too! Well done :)

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 19:58

      I like how it turned out with the different shapes and sizes too, thanks for stopping by :)

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  16. Sonia21 January 2013 at 16:14

    That is such a brilliant variation of the Dresden Plate. I love it! Thanks for popping over to visit me :) It looks like we're both doing the Skill Builder BOM too - am in the middle of cutting out my strips for the first block at the moment, should get back to it really! x

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 20:31

      Hi Sonia, fellow Skill Builder BOMer, gorgeous colour choices for your blocks by the way and I see you went back and finished your blocks, which look great :)

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  17. Cynthia@wabisabiquilts22 January 2013 at 03:22

    I love your take on the Dresden, and I really love those fabrics!!

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 20:33

      It's quite smashing isn't it Cynthia, can't take credit though for those fabrics, they're all King Bee Brian's doing! :)

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  18. Nat at Made in Home22 January 2013 at 03:44

    I have never seen a Dresden plate like this, well done!

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  19. Heidi Staples22 January 2013 at 14:46

    So modern, Chrissie! Isn't it great to try new things?!

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  20. Encyclopedia22 January 2013 at 20:41

    Looks fabulous....I used think they were daunting, although imam in loveeee with Dresden plates...and last years bee cycle Nicole made us do one...and it opened up the door, now looking forward to Brian's anything goes...

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 20:44

      Thanks E, it was sooooo scrummy to do. I wasn't in the Bee back when Nicole did them so this is my first and I've fallen in love with it! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with and everyone else too :)

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  21. Helen24 January 2013 at 11:55

    You really came up with a great alternative approach to this design! Dresden has been on my "absolutely never-do" list, but now just maybe.....

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 20:51

      Go for it Helen, I didn't want to but I'm so glad I did!!! Can't wait to see what everyone else does and how Brian puts them all together :)

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  22. Sally R.25 January 2013 at 20:04

    I love your 'take' on this pattern, and I especially love the quilt on your header. Total aside, i don't know how often you check your Ravelry messages but I left you one regarding a pattern you own. Could you please read and let me know. Thanks so much ( and normally I am not so pushy but it's a favor for a friend!)

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD25 January 2013 at 21:38

      Hi Sally glad you like the Dresden and I too love my Juicebox Sofa Quilt in my header photo. I've replied to your message on Ravelry and I don't mind at all that you got in touch, I totally understand why you're asking, only sorry I can't be of any help :)

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  23. Kati from Kati's Quilting16 February 2013 at 21:30

    I am super-dooper proud of you! It mad me laugh to learn that it was on your never list :) Life always sorts things out, doesn't it? I am glad you accepted the challenge and knocked it out of the park! And most of all that it changed your mind!!! XO

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    1. Chris Dodsley @made by ChrissieD24 February 2013 at 22:38

      That's a fantastic comment Kati, I so loved your quilt but I thought it looked like a whole heap of hard work, not to mention your amazing fmq. This has been quite a year of new techniques so far! :)

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Chris Dodsley


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