2015 Adventure Quilt: Block of the Month #6
Can you believe we are half way through our block of the month adventure? This sixth Block of the Month is the Art Deco Dresden. The modifications to a traditional Dresden block give a striking new look to an old favorite. Using the Sew Grand Dresden Templates, the Dresden sections are pieced and easily machine appliquéd. You may recall that we also used this template set in January’s Block #1 and April’s Block #4. As a bonus, this block has two appliqué size variations; make one or both.
The series of blocks will go together in The 2015 Adventure Quilt. Join us on our journey as we stitch our way through many quilting fabrics and scraps using lots of different techniques.
This quilt will be a scrap adventure. Total yardage for the entire quilt is not provided. Rather, we will be working in a color palette of scraps (or Fat Quarters).
If you’d like this block pattern as a downloadable PDF, please click the “Print Post as PDF” button at the lower right of this post.
Notions, Fabrics, and Supplies:
Get started by choosing fabrics. Any three-color combinations will work. I had a surplus of black, white, and chartreuse green in my quilting fabric scraps.
Month: Art Deco Dresden
All blocks in The 2015 Adventure Quilt measure 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″, creating a 12″x 12″ finished block. 1/4″ seam allowances are included.
Supplies:
- Assorted Fabric Scraps
- Trace ‘n Create Dresden Templates
- Sof Shape Interfacing
- Fine Tip Non-Permanent Marking Pen
Trace and Cut
For the smaller appliquéd design (green background with a black and white appliqué):
- Cut a 10-1/4″ crosswise strip. Then trace one 12″ Dresden wedge (center), aligning the template on the fabric between the 12″ Dresden Wedge marking and the lower edge, which is the same as the 4-1/2″ circle marking.
- Cut a 6-1/4″ and a 4-1/4″ crosswise strip. Then trace two 8″ and 6″ wedges. Again, align the template between either the 8″ or 6″ Dresden Wedge markings and the lower edge.
Note from Nancy: If you are only making one block, cut a partial crosswise strip or use scraps of fabric. You’ll only need a small amount of fabric for each wedge.
- Rotary cut along the marked lines.
For the larger appliquéd block (black background with a green and white appliqué):- Cut a 13-1/4″ crosswise strip. Then trace one 16″ Dresden Wedge (center), aligning the template on the fabric between the 16″ wedge marking and the lower 6-1/2″ circle marking.
- Cut a 9-1/4″ and a 5-1/4″ crosswise strips. Then trace two 12″ and 8″ wedges. Again, align the template along the 12″ or 8″ Dresden Wedge marking and the 6-1/2″ circle line.
- Fold each wedge in half lengthwise.
- Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to chain stitch the short ends of all Dresden wedge shapes.
- Clip chain stitching threads.
- Finger press the seams open. Turn each wedge right-side out.
- Make a pressing template from a 4″ square of tag board. Draw a straight line from corner to corner.
- Insert pressing template between fabric layers, aligning seam with a straight line. Press.
- Stagger the five wedges.
- Matching right sides together, align the smaller pair of wedges.
- Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to stitch along the shortest wedge.
- Press the seam allowance AND the unstitched edge of the larger wedge towards the wrong side of the larger wedge. In some cases, the “press towards the darker fabric” will not apply. It is ok.
- Repeat these steps to add the remaining three wedges.
Create the Quarter Circle
- A 4-1/2″ quarter circle was used for the smaller appliquéd block and a 6-1/2″ quarter circle was used for the larger appliquéd block.
- Cut one fabric and one interfacing square to create a 4-1/2″ or 6-1/2″ quarter circle, 2-1/2″ and 3-1/2″ squares respectively. Directions are given in the packaging for the Trace’n Create Dresden Template.
- Lay the smooth side of the interfacing on the right side of the fabric.
- Using a fine tip marking pen to trace the quarter circle onto the interfacing.
- Pin the two layers together, matching right sides.
- Straight stitch directly on the marked curve.
- Use a rotary pinking blade to remove excess fabric.
- Remove the excess interfacing from within the circle, leaving approximately 1″ of interfacing.
- Turn the interfacing to the wrong side with a turning tool.
- Press.
Appliqué and Finish
- Position the stitched wedge shape in one corner of the block, matching the cut edges of the block with the cut edges of the wedge.
- Pin in place.
- Use monofilament thread to edgestitch around the points.
- Baste along the cut edges within the 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Position the quarter circle over the wedges aligning the cut edges of the corner.
- Pin and edge stitch with monofilament thread.
Ta Dah! The June block is complete. Six down, six to go!
Share your 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks Socially
If you have a blog site, website, or online social sewing group, feel free to grab the code and share this button.
The hashtag is a searchable “word” associated with an event or activity, which, when searched on popular social websites, like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook, will show every single post using that hashtag. Even if you don’t personally know that stitcher, you’ll see her/his progress and a photo. Hashtags are a fun way to network and connect with people who share similar interests.
What would a Quilt Look Like?
As part of this Block of the Month series, included are ideas of what a quilt might look like if you made it with only this month’s block. Some of the concepts have sashing and others do not. These quilts are a good way to brainstorm what this block looks like repeated.
- Arranging the directional Art Deco block around a center point creates this medallion style quilt.
- This quilt creates the illusion of floral clusters by grouping four blocks together and meeting the center quarter-circles.
- With traditional quilt sashings, this quilt features the strong diagonal line created in each block, to create a crisscross directional effect over the entire quilt design.
Watch Sew Grand Dresden Quilts on Sewing With Nancy online.
To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.
Read and watch more about all the different quilt designs you can create with the Sew Grand Dresden Templates.
See all the 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks HERE.
The random winner of a Trace ‘n Create Carefree Curves Template set from Clover is Betty. She said: I started sewing when I was very young and thought I knew everything about sewing until I started watching your TV shows. I’ve got many of your books and have learned many, many things. Love it and I am going to make the little boat quilt. I have four little great grandchildren that would love them. Thank you Nancy for getting me back to sewing.
Bye for now,
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Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswoman, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s blog at NancyZieman.com/blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in sewing, quilting, and creating.
Mary B
Love, love, love the fresh “art deco” look on the dresden plate pattern. Also, the fussy cut block brings something timeless to a new level. Love it !!!
Marty
After edge-stitching with monofilament thread, are we to cut away except for 1/4-inch on the back so not two layers of fabric under the appliqued dresden wedge shape? Thanks!
Judy Kirkpatrick
How imaginativeFrom the Art Deco look to wonky fences on children’s quilts. I have so many quits in mind and sew little time (I’m 75). This would be a great labor-saving device as I try to make five more quilts for the grands.
Ella Liddle
These are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing. ella : )
Karen B
I love and appreciate all you do for the sake of promoting quilting and exposing us to possibilities for involvement in local and international causes.
You are a generous and talented humanitarian.
Connie W
Great colors & great design.
Frances
What an amazingly cool block!!! I like the Dresden plate pattern, but doubt I’d ever make one. This art deco block just might be a mind changer. Thanks!
Jennifer Fried
Dear Nancy , I can see lots of configurations with this one. Very creative. Thanks for sharing. Jenny
Angela Bartleman
Has the Month 7 BOM been released yet? I can’t find it. Thank you 🙂
Nancy Zieman
Angela, the BoM is always the third Saturday of the month. It’s coming soon!
Dawn
hope you are doing well. I’m also fighting cancer. However going to my sewing room and spending time on different projects is a great help. Love you Show and think positive all the time.
Prayers for you
Dawn
FRANCES DOWNS
NANCY CAN YOU DEMO HOW TO SPLIT ONE DRESDEN BLADE FOR TWO DIFFRENT FABRICS THEN SEWN TOGETHER AS ONE BLADE…I WOULD LIKE TO DO A TABLE CENTER PIECE….
OR IS THERE ALREADY PATTERN …IM HAVING A PROBLEM
FINDING ONE…THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
verov94
Bonjour,
J’aime beaucoup ce modèle. Je n’ai jamais fait de patchwork à la machine à coudre. Je voudrais connaitre le nom du pied de biche de la machine à coudre.
Merci pour votre réponse.
Bonne année 2016 pour vous et votre famille de France
Deb nelson
So sorry u r leaving tv. We have been blessed to have learned so much from u…injoy your retirement. Hope u stay in good health. GOD BLESS U AND ALL U DO. ONE QUESTION WILL U STILL BE ON UTUBE