Tutorial Tuesday - Spike Dresden Plate

I found this great block, via Pinterest. I had no idea how to make it. However, after consulting the incredible wealth of knowledge that is Southern Cross Quilters, I had a pretty good idea how to make this version of the Dreseden Plate. It is a variation of the One Seam Flying Geese technique.

This tutorial assumes that you know how to make a Dresden Plate block. I've never made one before this tutorial. I used the Easy Dresden Tool by Darlene Zimmerman for this block. I was super easy to use.

The trick to this block is inserting an isoceles triangle into the seam between two wedges of the block. I basically used trial and error to get the right height for the triangle. The base of the triangle needs to be twice the width of the base of the Dresden Wedge (the skinny end). My Dresden wedges were 1", therefore, the base of my triangle was 2".

Working out the height is a bit more "artistic". What I did was sew a few trial runs. My opinion is that the sides of the triangle should be the same length as the side of the Dresden wedge. However, to get a piece that sews and sits well, a clipped the top of the triangle off. Sooo, in order to do that when drafting the triangle insert, I would recommend the following steps.

1. Base is twice the width of the base of the bottom edge of the wedge.
2. Measure the length of the side of the wedge. This is the vertical height of the triangle.
3. Add 1/2" to this measurement.
4. Use these measurements to draw your triangle.
5. Then clip 1/4" off the top of the triangle.

You should end up with something that looks like the shape below. Then fold wrong sides together (if using print fabric) and finger press the vertical height. 

Place the folded triangle along the outside seam of the Dreseden Wedge and then place another wedge over the top. All the raw edges should be together. The triangle should be the same height as the outside edge of the wedge (or pretty close).

This is what the triangle looks like sewn into the seam between the two wedges.

Finger press the seam open. I used a crochet hook pushed up inside the triangle to help me flatten it. Normally, Dresden Plate tutorials say to press the seams all in one direction, but because of the bulk of four layers of fabric in this technique, I think it's better to press the seam open. The pressed open seam will be protected by the triangle insert once it's pressed.

Turn the section over and press.

That is basically it. I did them in pairs, then in fours etc until the plate was complete. Below is an image of the back of the plate once it's all sewn together.

Add your middle circle. Completed block.

I'd like to thank Jeannie, Fran, Jodie, Jan, Jo and Judy for the help they gave me in working out how to do this. Please let me know if there is anything which is unclear or confusing in the tutorial!!

YES, please feel free to Pin on Pinterest. Sorry, can't get the auto-pin button to work!!


EDIT: If you don't have the dresden template, visit this Quilts By Design tutorial for instructions on how to make your own template.

EDIT: New video tutorial supplement now available - video on how to insert spike between wedges.