Dresden Flowers - by Lorrie Ryther-Hall

 

DRESDEN FLOWERS

We have discussed different Dresden Plates and how to make them. I love to look at all the Dresden variations. What we have not looked at is Dresden Flowers. When making these flowers, do not heavily starch fabric as it makes bulky seams so if you use starch, LIGHTLY starch. First, you will need templates. These can be made from cardstock, plastic, or layers of freezer paper. In the February Beeline, you will find some templates. Here are ones to use for flowers:

Sunflower (12 ½”)

Four Jelly Roll Strips (2.5 inches) in Yellow to Orange Shades

A 5 inch square

10 degree Dresden template

 

Using a 10 degree template, measure from the top (widest top) down to the 3” line.

From that, cut 36 plates from the strips, or fabric

Chain stitch all plates along the tops. Trim top corner to reduce bulk. Turn and press

Sew in pairs, from top to bottom with ¼ seam, press. Then in groups of four, press to side.

Then in groups eight, then add one more for nine in a set. You will need 4 groups of nine.

Do in sets so the circle is not distorted. Sew in half, then in a circle. Press in segments to make

flat, careful not to stretch.

 

For center, measure center (7” usually) and cut a piece of fabric ½” larger. Make a circle that will cover the center. Mark a circle on a piece of interfacing, place on the right side of fabric and bumpy side of interfacing in the center, sew around. Cut a slit in the interfacing, turn, press around, Sew into the center either by hand or machine. If you do bumpy side on the outside, use parchment paper or applique sheet to press onto the center since there will be glue on the outside of the circle.

 

Black-Eyed Susan Flower

This is a partial flower (Sunflower). You will need:

Two Jelly Roll Strips (2.5 inches) in Yellow to Orange Shades

A 5 inch square

10 degree Dresden template

 

Cut 8 blades from the 10 degree template, 6” long (same or different colors)

Using your template, measure from narrow end to the 4” line and mark on the wrong side of your blade. Then sew 2 blades together by first at the 4” mark, on the long edge, sew two stitches in, then turn and sew down the blade. Add blades by starting at the bottom (narrow end) and sew along edge up to the 4” mark, turn blade and sew off the side.

Using your template and approximately a 2” circle, make a curve from the center of your template to the seam allowance mark. Cut to make a petal template with cardstock, freezer paper, ect.  Use that template and place on the wrong side of a blade. With a small paint brush and some starch (Can put spray starch or liquid in a medicine or bottle cap), paint the edges and press the edges to form a rounded curve down to the seam edge. Shape all of the petals. On the last petal, make the petal shorter and press all the way down the edge. Flip over and check for creases; press out problem areas, using starch as needed. Press flat. The petals will be appliqued/sewn down onto your background.

 

Using the flower center template below, use the smooth edge interfacing method as described above. However, bumpy side goes inside (next to right side of fabric). (Bumpy in or out is determined if you want the glue on the background) Place center on petals however you like it. Using parchment paper or applique sheet, press center onto the petals only pressing the bottom half of the center to the petals. Machine or hand sew onto your background.

DAISY

4 Jelly Roll Strips White (21/2 by 4 1/2”)

4 Jelly Roll Strips of Background (Navy) (2 1/2 by 4 ½”)

2.5” strips of fusible web cut into 10 pieces that are 2.5” squares

You will need 10 each of white and background; cut 2.5” x 4 ½”

Fold in half, press (finger press works)

Trim all background with 18” Dresden Template

With white blades open, press the web on the edge of the wrong side of fabric

Using the 18” Dresden Template, cut to 2.5 x 4 ½” blades, web at the wide end, peel off paper

Sew in sets of white and background, sew only in half (up to the web) and back stitch,

Press seams open, Sew in sets of four, only to the half edge. Then four, and so on until a circle.

As for the Black-Eyed Susan, use the cutting template method for the petal for the white petals.

Place on a piece of background the background petals blend in. Sew down onto the background. Add a circle that was interfaced as described above the size you would like. A circle from a 5” square works for this, yellow is a preferred color.

I hope you enjoyed these three different Dresden Flowers. Next month, I will share more Dresden Flowers. Hope you make one or two of each to make a Dresden Flower quilt. Have fun and Enjoy!