I've been missing my Crafty Weekends. Have you? Although I am not having the link party anymore I thought I would share some of the crafts I have been up to and review one of the craft books I have.
Now I will admit it is a bit strange for me to write a review right now. With so much going on in our country I feel like this is a little frivolous. But I know the world goes on and although my own emotions are all over the place and at times I have wanted to take a break from thinking about the racial issues I realize my black friends and all people of color do not get to take a break from thinking about their race and the racial issues. Tomorrow I will be starting our weekly posts about Black Lives Matter and sharing some black people everyone should know about. So today I am going to share with you a quilt book. The book is Dresden Quilt Blocks Reimagined by Candace Copp Grisham.
Now I got interested in Dresden plates when Hazel got interested in the American Girl, Kit Kittredge. My ultimate goal is to make her doll a quilt from 1930ish fabrics. This book gives me a good start. On my last attempt I had never made a Dresden plate before. It is ok, but not really right. This book gave me what I need to make a real plate and taught me how to make the different edges. I started with a pointed edge.
I was amazed at how easy it was to make the pointed edges. You fold them in half right sides together and stitch the top together. When you turn them right side out the point is made. Next I tried the one called serendipity.
I love how the points are made with two fabrics. So fun! I wanted to do a classic one with some of the 30s fabric I have for Hazel's doll. I wanted the round petals. I have to say these were the hardest to do.
Now one thing I discovered is that you have to have the correct tools. I did get a Dresden wedge. I also found a mini Dresden wedge to use on jelly rolls. Now I have many jelly roll strips from my mother. She however gave me a jelly roll she thought has 1930ish fabrics. I used it with my mini one. I was sad to see that the center was still three inches in diameter. It isn't what I want for my doll quilt.
I made the serendipity points on it for fun. Now I have to figure out how I want to use them. I am thinking a wall hanging but not sure if I will make more plates or how I will arrange them.
The book has beautiful examples of different things to do. There are pieced ones as well as layered ones like this example.
The book also has colorful samples of what people have done with modern fabrics and modern settings. Since the Dresden plates are appliqued onto the quilt there is really a huge freedom to what you do with them.
The book has easy to follow instructions to make different kinds of Dresden plates. There is so much inspiration with the samples. I hope you will check it out!
