The Dresden Block - March 2026- Lorrie Ryther-Hall

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This is the block for the month of March in Lorrie's newsletter articles about different quilt blocks.  I enjoy reading about the blocks and how they are made.  I hope you enjoy this article.


Last month we discussed the Fan Block which basically is a fourth of a Dresden Plate block. The Dresden Plate name is based on a popular china made in Dresden, Germany between the early 1700’s and the late 1800’s. The Dresden Plate block was one of the most popular quilts made during the 1920s and 1930s. The inclusion of the block was very popular too.








The Dresden Plate is a combination of piecing and applique. It usually had a round center with a solid color. Surrounding the center are petals/blades/wedges from scrapes, mixed colors, shades of a color, etc.  The original plate had a curved outer edge. As time passed, the blades were sometimes pointed instead of curved.



There are many different sizes of blades, and you can purchase a template or make one yourself. Personally, I am not good at math to figure out the size in order to know how many blades are needed to make a plate. How you figure how many blades you will need is that you take 360 degrees (all circles equal 360 degrees) and divide by the degree on your template to get the number of blades. You can also take 360 and divide by the number of blades and you will get the degree of template you need to use. Example: 360 divided by 18 (degree of template) equals 20 wedges. (18 x 20 = 360). Most patterns come with a template or ruler which makes it easier.

Let’s explore two ways to make a Dresden Plate. The first is with rounded wedges:

The round wedge above was used. Cut 12 wedges from assorted fabrics. Need: two 4” square to make a circle; 11” square muslin for lining; and 12 ½” background fabric. Sew wedges into pairs, right sides together, from wide to narrow edges, using an assembly line. Then pairs into fourths, fourths into halves and then halves into one circle. Carefully, press the seams to one side going around the circle (very careful as on the bias). Place the Dresden circle, right side down, on the 11” muslin, pin very well. Stitch around the edge of the circle, pivoting in the corners. Trim the muslin and dresden edge to 1/16” and clip the corners. Turn right side out through the center opening, working edges gently until rounded. Press so that the muslin does not show on the right side. Trim more muslin if desired. Make a circle by tracing a circle on the wrong side of one 4” square. With the right sides together, sew around the marked circle. Cut a slit and turn inside out. Press and trim edges.  Pin Dresden circle on background (careful with bias) and pin circle in place. Then choose to either sew around by hand (sew like doing a binding or any stitch) or machine, using blind stitch, buttonhole, etc.




Second is with pointed tops. (See above) For each blade, fold in half, sideways, with right sides together. Then sew, with a shorter stitch length, a quarter inch on the wide end, from the open side to the closed side. Trim at an angle at the corner to remove bulk. Use your finger in the inside corner and turn inside out. With a blunt object, push out to make a point. Center the point in the middle and press. Next, match two plates, right sides together, lining up at the edge of angle and straight sides (very important) and don’t worry about the bottom matching since it will be covered with your circle. Start sewing but back stitch at the beginning to reinforce. Press seam to one side and repeat with all blocks: sewing together until a circle. Continue making a circle for the center as mentioned above. Also, continue with the instructions above by pinning to background and sew by hand or machine as desired. (Note: some blocks will end up around 13” so may want to wait to see how big your Dresden ends up before cutting your background.)




When I started my quilt journey back in 2014, I made a Dresden Plate as the medallion center for my quilt. (Here is the center of my quilt) I finished the quilt top in 2015 and was intimidated, not knowing how to really quilt it. Doing this article, I pulled it out and now I think I am confident enough to finish. Do you have a Dresden Plate on your IQ/UFO list? Perhaps it is time for you to finish too. 

Next month we will explore different types of Dresden Plates and what to do with them. For now, have fun. Enjoy!

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