dresden plate | Needle and Foot

I have been playing with Dresden plates this week. Never have done this because I thought it would require a patience level that I usually don’t have. I was happy to learn that this isn’t so. Dresden’s look so precise but they are actually quite easy, time-consuming, but still easy. There is a pattern in the most recent Love of Quilting magazine for a table runner with three dresdens placed on it. I made it exactly as the pattern instructs.

Cutting the petals takes a bit of time. I am wondering if I need to purchase a smaller rotary cutter. I have just the one (45mm) but maybe I need the smaller one for finer piece work. Does this ring true to any of you? Let me know how many rotary cutters you use and the best size – or is there little difference??

Learning something new is the greatest. With this project I learned the dresden block as well as tried chain piecing for the first time. What a timesaver. Plus it saves on thread. I don’t usually think about that part of it, but really, I am always buying thread.

It all came together really quickly. So cute!!

The pattern calls for borders that are 3 1/2 inches in width. After attaching them, I think they are too wide. The runner will finish out at 45 x 20 inches. That is much bigger than I usually make for a table runner. I haven’t decided if I will leave it this large and hang it on the wall. Or I will trim the borders and make it fit my table better. Thoughts on this??

The green polka dot print will be used as the backing as well. That was a great thrift store find at only $4.00 for two yards. Not sure what I will bind it with. I have been trying to decide how best to quilt this project. I want to enhance the dresdens and do a light meandering on the white backing. Looking through Flickr is always inspiring and I found this idea.