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. Looks great Chrissie, a very modern Dresden Plate!

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

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

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

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

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

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    1. 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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  8. 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. 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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  9. 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. 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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  10. Love the blues and the scrappiness of the dresden - it's lovely.

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    1. 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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  11. 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. 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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  12. Very visually interesting block Love the fabrics. Thanks for sharing on the Monday Link Up ... :) Pat

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

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

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

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

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

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  18. 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. 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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  19. 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. 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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  20. 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. 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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  21. 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. 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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