Dresden Plate Tutorial

The Dresden plate name comes from Dresden, Germany, and are said to mimic the fancy china located there. The patterns generally call for 20 petals and given that you allow a perfect seam allowance of ¼-inch, it should take 20 petals exactly.

Here are the steps to take to create a Dresden plate of your own:

1. Use a plastic template that will produce 18-degree petals. Decide how long you them to be, up to 10-inches. Cut these from various fabrics of your choice. Mix-and-match and make it colorful.
2. Take the larger side of each wedge and fold it in half, holding the right sides together.
3. Using the ¼-inch seam. Sew along the folded edge. You can chain sew this on a machine to save time. Simply leave a little thread between the pieces and snip it when done.
4. Move the seam to face up and clip the corner at an angle on the closed. Be sure you do not cut the seam.
5. Turn it inside out and push the tip out with the point of your scissors. Repeat this for all 20 petals.
6. Decide how you want them sewn together. Work in groups of five and then connect all 4 groups at the end.
7. Carefully place each one together. Make sure the points and ends line up well. Sew them together, being mindful of the ¼-inch seam.
8. Press the seams.
9. Sew the 4 units of 5 petals together, keeping the ¼-inch seam.
10. Add a trim or center if desired.