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Starting My Dresden Heaven Project

Today I am taking some time out of cutting and sewing to show the process I am following to make Dresden Heaven by Susan Marth.   I purchased the pattern and the “Tiny” and “Mini” templates to make the Dresden plates which can be used with all of her patterns.  I am using the 1930’s fat quarter fabrics that I had purchased for the FW project that I am not going to make (too many problems with the book).

I cut my 2″ fabric strips for the “tiny” plates and I use my Stripin’ Sews to organize them while I am in the process of cutting the Dresden plates.   I noticed the Stripin’ Sews on  Lynn Wilder’s Blog  on one of her posts which showcased her vendor set up at a quilt show and I asked her about it.   (Lynn’s husband makes the Stripin’ Sews so if you are interested in purchasing one, please contact Lynn at sewnwildoaks@gmail.com) I love the Strippin’ Sews for the following reasons, it provides a great way to organize fabric strips, folds down to 3″ x 17″ for easy storage, and is shipped in a heavy-duty cardboard box which is great to have to store the holder when not in use.

Sew'n Wild Oaks Stand Front Fiew
Front View
Sew'n Wild Oaks Stand Side View
Side View

Sew'n Wild Oaks

And here are pictures of the my first 4″ Dresden plate block!  I plan on making all of the “tiny” plates first and then make a decision on the color for the background fabric for the plates.  That decision will be easier to make after I have them all made.  I do not want to cut up my fabric only to find out my “idea now” would not “be a good idea then”!

First Tiny Dresden Plate
First “Tiny” Dresden Plate with Circle to Applique

 

Now to applique circle
4″ Tiny Dresden Plate

I originally purchased the Strippin’ Sews to make Lynn’s Grammy Squares pattern Here, but decided to make the Dresden Heaven quilt first (sorry Lynn).  Lynn has a great blog and has some neat patterns to look at on her website.

Grammy Squares Pattern

Today I picked up my new glasses….. OK…. I have learned that when you have a good thing going don’t change it.   I use Verilux Physio progressive lens and have for years because they provide the widest “corridor” without distortion and do not make me dizzy (Meniere’s).   I was advised that the new “S” lens would have a wider corridor, but not for Nanny!   I will have a new set of lens next Thursday (hopefully sooner) made with my  Verilux Physio lens and not the latest and greatest “S” lens.  I believe the old saying is, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”!  I do like the new sun shades that clip on with magnets – now those are cool!

Since I am talking about items that I use and have purchased and providing information as to where to purchase them, I thought that I would provide the following statement.  This is just to clarify that I am not in business with anyone, I just love to share what I am using and patterns that I really like or dislike.

DISCLAIMER.  When I blog about my projects, I DO NOT RECEIVE any gratuities.  I am not running a business, but just a quilter who loves to share my progress and opinions on patterns, etc.  So please do not think I am pushing any products for personal gain –  these are quilting tools that I have found work well for me and my quilting journey.  I felt that I needed to state this because there are some bloggers who do receive things for advertising products.  I Blog about my projects to assist other quilters learn from my mistakes and successes.

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Ms Potts, Circa 2016, Goodbye Dear Jane, and Hello Dresden Heaven

OK – one sentence on the weather – The weather has not changed for the good it is now 100 degrees and heat index running from 105 to 109 and this ole’ lady has finally thrown in the towel as far as walking goes for this week.  Now on to quilting!

I have (again) caught up with Circa 2016 blocks from the 29 July and 5 August!  YEA.

Blocks from 29 July and 5 August 2016
Circa 2016 Blocks from 29 July and 5 August 2016

I really do enjoy making the 3 1/2″ blocks.  They go fast and are always a challenge because of the size.  To me this is a “practice” session preparing me for some of the quilts that are waiting in line for me to make.

This summer the Margaret Potts group from BAS have 3 blocks to work on.  I have finished 2 Blocks and working on the 3rd.  The last block has 4 stars and I am using the EPP method to make them so they will be “perfect” (Ha Ha).  The pieces are so small so I had to set it aside and complete the other blocks.  I took one look at the circles and thought – OH NO!  So tiny – no bigger than a dime!!!  But I started on the block and begin to enjoy the process.  The stems are embroidered with 2 strains of variegated thread.

Blocks 13 and 17
Margaret Potts BAS Project – Blocks 13 and 17

I thought I would share with all on how I do my circles.  I have 2 sets of Karen Kay Buckley mylar circles, but the time it takes to cut the fabric, baste around the circle, and then spray with sizing and iron, that I decided to take a  different approach when making circles for my applique projects.  I use C. Jenkins Freezer Paper Sheets Here  from Amazon.  The paper is 8 1/2 x 11 and the pattern prints out great onto the freezer paper.  It is a little expensive, but the time saved is worth it.  I copy the pattern onto the paper and then cut out the pieces.  On larger patterns I have to be a little more creative, but for this project it is great as the blocks fit on the paper size just fine.  I am sure one could cut regular freezer paper and feed it through the printer, but then that takes time to do that.  (Maybe I am spoiled or getting lazy in my old age! LOL).   I still use Karen Kay Buckley circles, but only to trace around the template like I do with the freezer paper.   Here is how I prepared the small circles for the circle block above.

My technique for circles

As always, the pattern is traced on the background fabric for placement purposes using a light box and number 2 pencil.  I really thought I would have issues with the small (dime size) circles, but after working on two or three, it became easier, and besides, that is what ripping is all about when doing hand work.  It is not permanent and corrections can easily be made.

I have given up on Dear Jane.  I studied it, thought about the paper piecing, and decided that I have other things I want to work on the remainder of the year and making a quilt using paper piecing technique is not for me at this time!  I have a lot of hand work waiting in the wings to be appliqued and those should go fairly quickly (maybe by September).  I have Blocks 5 and 6 prepped for Bountiful Life, 7 more blocks for Segment 4 of Stonefields, and lots of lovely hexagons to sew together for Brinton Hall quilt.

For piecing projects I went through 5 different patterns and finally chose to make Dresden Heaven by Susan Marth.   It has mini and tiny dresden plates and such a fun project.  I finally found a pattern that I can use my 1930’s fabrics that were originally intended for the Farmers Wife… so I am happy about that, but it will take a few other projects to use all the fat quarters I purchased.

Dresden Heaven by Susan Marth at Suzn Quilts

The 1930 fabrics are not my favorite colors, but I thought that they would look good using this pattern.  This will be a fun project and one that I can cut out the plates and sew at my leisure,  remember I am supposed to be quilting on the long arm… if only I would stay away from chicken noodle soup from the can that has MSG!  I have so many notes on the refrigerator now that say “do not eat” and if only I would remember to read them!!!!!

Oh well.  I hope that everyone has had a great day and continue to enjoy your stitching.   Fall is just around the corner – 30 to 60 days!  Sometime within the next 30 days or so I will be relaxing in the RV,  visiting the Choctaw Casino, and 2 wonderful fabric stores.   I need to complete some projects to justify the fabric expenditures!