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:
- 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.
- Take the larger side of each wedge and fold it in half, holding the right sides together.
- 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.
- Move the seam to face up and clip the corner at an angle on the closed. Be sure you do not cut the seam.
- Turn it inside out and push the tip out with the point of your scissors. Repeat this for all 20 petals.
- Decide how you want them sewn together. Work in groups of five and then connect all 4 groups at the end.
- Carefully place each one together. Make sure the points and ends line up well. Sew them together, being mindful of the ¼-inch seam.
- Press the seams.
- Sew the 4 units of 5 petals together, keeping the ¼-inch seam.
- Add a trim or center if desired.