Dresden plate problem

bkay2000

7 years ago

I posted a couple of weeks ago about a beautiful half finished Dresden plate quilt top I bought at an estate sale. My question then had to do with the edge not being turned under. You helpful ladies advised me to use fray block or sew the edge with mono filament thread. The thread didn't work, as it messed up the appearance of the blanket stitches.

So, this problem: Each square had yellow sashing sewn on two sides, that left a place for a cornerstone. The first three rows were assembled, leaving the cornerstone empty. (I wish I had taken photos.) I got a little baggie that contained the yellow cornerstones and a couple of extra pieces of sashing.

I took the whole thing over to a friend's house who has quilted for years. She said the cornerstone should be white. But whatever color, she didn't understand why it was assembled as it was. She suggested that I take it apart, buy new yellow fabric and make new sashing with white cornerstones. So, I bought the new fabric, finding very good color matches for both the white and yellow in Kona cotton.

Last night, I started taking it apart. I had not anticipated that the problems that I now see. The squares are not square and they are not the same size. It doesn't really matter at this point, but the sashing strips were off as much as a 1/2 inch.

So, my inclination is to press the squares, square them up and attach new sashing. Is there anything wrong with that plan? The squares are so beautiful, I hate to mess them up.

(I'm a newbie, having only finished one lap quilt, one top and an I spy mat. That's why I'm asking all the questions.)

samples of the quilt squares

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Comments (7)

msmeow
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Well, there are a few ways you can approach this.

You could go with the blocks as is. You could add different size "frames" to get them all to the same size. The frames could be all yellow, or different colors to go with the Dresden colors. You wouldn't need sashing since the blocks would have colored frames. (I did this with a T shirt quilt that had different size motifs.) Or you could add white frames to get them all the same size and go with your yellow sashing. (I did this with a block exchange quilt and was happy with the result.)

You could find the measurement of the smallest one and trim them all down to that size, then add your sashing.

You could go with a "wonky" setting where the blocks are intentionally tilted at a slight angle and narrow triangles are added to get them back to square. This method makes different size blocks much less noticeable, but it would give a very modern look to your Dresden plates. Google "wonky quilt block" and you can see examples.

Good luck!

Donna
bkay2000
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh, I'm sorry. I've misled by the way I wrote. The squares aren't off enough that normal squaring up wouldn't solve the problem. I haven't measured them all yet, but I think they are within 1/2" of each other.

The question is, is there any reason not to do it? Had I made the blocks, I would do it in a heartbeat. Not having made the blocks, and not experienced, I'm reluctant to do it without asking for guidance.

bkay
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Goodness me, this quilt has really captured the interest of so many....do you suppose it's because it sort of epitomizes, for many, what quilts are all about?.....someone in a rural setting, creating something for her family from the economical use of what she has on hand. I get this pic in my mind's eye, of a farm lady, in a floral apron, quilting away! (gray hair in a bun and 'sensible' shoes!) The center medallions weren't hard to replace. I just ripped them off, made a template of one, cut new ones from the black Moda marble fabric, adding a seam allowance when I cut..... and used the template, spray starch and a paint brush. I did a running stitch around the outer edge of the medallion, put the template on the wrong side and brushed spray starch onto the seam allowance. Then, I pulled up the threads around the template and ironed it dry. Then, release the running stitch enough to get the template out and re-iron. This makes a really nice, smooth edged medallion, and is how I make all circles, from grapes to big 'uns like this one. You really need to use the heat resistant template material..the other gets all wharped with the heat from the iron...for small circles, I use washers of whatever size I want the circles to be. (if you use a metal washer, watch your fingers...those babies get HOT!) Sue7972...dig out that old top you have and give it some thought...to make it easier for you, don't rip out all the old seams...yikes!!! Going just square at a time, sew the new fabric on over the old, and then cut the old away at the old seamline...this will make each square a bit smaller, but not much, and it sure is better than ripping all those seams! Also, when dealing with older fabric, the less handling you do, and the less stress you place on it, the better it is. You're going to loose the fabric next to the old seamline anyway, so my way is less 'stressful' to the fabric and a heck of a lot easier on your and your ripper! Actually, if you're going to machine quilt, why even bother to remove the old sashing?...who cares if it's under there or not?....unless you're thinking of replacing it with a fabric enough lighter that the old will show through....if that's the case, make a darker choice! This whole thing has been a real eyeopener for me to the VAST importance of sashing and border fabrics. I really think that it makes a COMPLETELY different looking quilt...and is proof that elements other than the main one in a quilt are every bit as important!
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toolgranny
7 years ago
That's exactly what you should do. Start by squaring that smallest one and then do others to same size. Once trimmed, you can put sashings on each and it will come out just fine. It's not nearly as hard as it sounds. I often put 2 sashings and a cornerstone on each block so two sides are done and then they go together easier rather than trying to make a long sashing strip match up between rows.. It should be lovely when you get it done.
littlehelen_gw
7 years ago
I'm not one to give advice on topics of this nature, but trimming to the smallest and adding sashes as previously suggested makes sense to me.

Toolgranny...could you elaborate on your comment..."put 2 sashing and a cornerstone on each block...". I'm not understanding, brain cells are not firing after a long day in the office...thank you!
jennifer_in_va
7 years ago
So, Helen, there are different ways to add sashing. Usually, you build a row across, adding short sashings vertically between the blocks. Then you add one really long sashing strip horizontally across the bottom of that row. Then repeat each new row the same way, finally putting the rows together. The problem with this is that it's sometimes hard to align all the blocks vertically, plus you have really long (horizontal) seams.

What Linda was suggesting was not to build rows. You take your first block and add a vertical sashing on the right side, and a horizontal sashing and cornerstone across the bottom. This effectively builds a new block, so when you put your new blocks together across the horizontal row, you don't have any long seams. This helps to keep all the blocks properly aligned.

I've also build sections rather than rows. If you have a quilt layout that is 6 x 6 blocks, you can build 3 x 3 block sections together, then you have a really large 4 patch to build at the end... if that makes sense.
glassquilt
7 years ago
After squaring I add sashing to each block.
Top left block, only, on all four sides.
Rest of top row on three sides.
Rest of left column on three sides.
All remaining blocks on two sides.
bkay2000
Original Author
7 years ago
That's the way I made my "disappearing 9 patch" I spy quilt top. It was much easier to square it up and match the seams than cutting up the 9 patch.

bk

Dresden plate problem

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msmeow

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Dresden plate problem

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msmeow

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