We are moving right along and working on Block 9 this month.
If you missed block 8, you can get instructions for it here: Online Quilting Bee Block 8 For more information, you can head to the main Quilt Along webpage and it will outline all the details. Scroll down below the video for fabric requirements.
When we did applique the beginning of the year, we mentioned you would also have the opportunity to try hand applique this year, and we are there! The dresden plate is a traditional block that is perfect for this. I love it because there are no unfinished edges. The way you create the points makes for folded edges all around the dresden plate and it’s a breeze to applique with no need to turn the fabric as you go.
You will need to print off the template for this quilt to get the right shape for the dresden. You can find the file below. One thing to note, you often see dresden plates with a circle in the middle. We opted to leave ours out for a more modern look, but if you are having trouble with the points, you can absolutely cut off the tips and use a small circle to applique over the center. If doing this, use the same method we talked about using freezer paper in the applique video in Month 5.
Each block will finish at 18″. The final quilt will be 64×84″.
Fabric Requirements:
There are 2 different options for this quilt, make the sampler, consisting of 12 different blocks, or make a quilt of just this block, repeating it 12 times.
Sampler Quilt Fabric Requirements (assuming 40″ wide fabric):
Finished quilt : 64×84″
White – 4 yard
Dark Green (including border) – 2 yards
Light Green – 1 1/4 yards
Gray – 1 yard
Yellow – 1 yard
Block 8 Quilt Fabric Requirements (assuming 40″ wide fabric)
Finished quilt 64×84″
White – 3 1/4 yards
Dark Green (including border) – 1 1/4 yard
Light Green – 3/4 yard
Gray – 3/4 yard
Yellow -3/4 yard
Block Nine Instructions
NOTE: When cutting fabric for the sampler quilt, cut only what you need, leaving extra fabric in large in tact pieces. DON’T cut long strips to cut down. This will ensure you have the sizes and pieces you need for later blocks.
White:
- 1 @ 18 1/2″ square
Gray
- 3 pieces cut with template
Yellow
- 3 pieces cut with template
Dark Green
- 3 pieces cut with template
Light Green
- 3 pieces cut with template
Block Construction
Dresden Plates
- Fold in half, right sides together. Sew along top edge.
- Trim inner corner, being careful not to trim stitches.
- Press to mark center line.
- Flip the sewn section right side out. Work the point as needed to get it as pointy as possible
- Line up the seam along the marked center line.
- Iron the dresden plate. Repeat with all colored pieces.
Sew Dresdens Together
- Lay out dresden plates in desired pattern, evenly spacing the colors.
- Separate into 4 sections of 3 dresdens each.
- Sew each section together. Iron all seams in the same direction.
- Sew 2 sections together. Repeat with the other two sections.
- Sew 2 halves together being careful to line up the center seams and not stretch the center sections apart.
Appliqueing the Dresden Plate
- Fold the white square in half both directions and iron to mark center.
- Line up the dresden on the lines, centering it on the block.
- Use pins, glue, or fusible thread to baste the dresden to the block.
- Using a needle and thread that matches the fabric, applique the dresden onto the white square using small hidden stitches.
Head here for more information on using Fusible Thread.
Finishing Instructions
For both quilts (visual instructions will be included in the final video but written instructions are included here if you are making the one block quilt):
Sashing and Border 1
White:
- Cut 8 @ 2 1/2 x 18 1/2″
- Cut 12 @ 2 1/2″ x Width of Fabric (WOF)
Border 2
Dark Green:
- Cut 8 @ 1 1/2″ x Width of Fabric
Quilt Construction:
Sew 5 white WOF strips together, cut into 3 – 58 1/2″ strips
Sew 1 – 18 1/2″ sashing to the right side of 1 block. Sew another block to the right, followed by another sashing and another block.
Repeat 4 times.
Sew rows together with 58 1/2″ sashing strips between them.
Border 1:
Sew 2 white WOF strips together, cut into a 78 1/2″ strip. Repeat with 2 more WOF strips.
Sew 3 white WOF strips together, cut into 2 – 62 1/2″ strip.
Sew 78 1/2″ border strips to the sides of the quilt top. Sew the 62 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom of the quilt top.
Border 2:
Sew all dark green WOF strips together, cut into 2 – 82 1/2″ strisp and 2 – 64 1/2 ” strip.
Sew the 82 1/2″ strips to sides of quilt top. Sew the 64 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom.
Press, layer, and quilt.
Music by bensound.com
