How To Make a Dresden Square Table Topper
Baby Lock Ambassador Mary of Mary-Go-Round Quilts shares this fun and patriotic table topper project! Even if you've been intimidated by sewing dresden blocks in the past, you'll be pleasantly surprised at your results.
Mary said, "Typically dresdens are small blocks appliqued onto a square piece of fabric – but in this project, you’ll be making extra long dresden blades to make a fun table topper. And…the good news is, it’s a great stash buster!" Grab your red, white, and blue scraps, or mix it up for any ocasion.
Keep reading to learn how to create this project yourself. Follow Mary's blog for additional images and step-by-step details, or print our instructional PDF here.
Supplies Needed
Fabric in your preferred color palette
Quilt batting
Rectangular sewing ruler
Sewing shears
Iron
Thread
Needles
Baby Lock Sewing or Quilting Machine (Mary used the Lyric quilting and sewing machine and Regent longarm)
Download the instructions as a PDF with images
Instructions
1. Using Template A - cut (9) pieces from Color A and (9) pieces from Color B.
2. Using the circle Template B - cut 1 from color fabric and cut 1 from fusible bond. Peel one side of fusible web and iron onto fabric. Set aside.
3. Take (1) Template A Piece and fold RST in half lengthwise, as shown below.
4. Sew ¼” seam on the fat end of the folded piece.
5. Flip the corner right side out to form (1) Dresden Blade Unit. The seam should form a corner, as shown, with now raw edges.
6. Make sure the seam is open to reduce bulk and then press.
7. Take (1) Color A and (1) Color B Dresden Blade Units and align RST with all edges matching.
8. Sew seam down (1) long, raw edge, as shown. Press seam towards the right Dresden Blade Unit.
9. Take a third Dresden Blade Unit and align RST with the raw edge of the right-most Dresden Blade Unit from Step [8]. Sew seam down raw edge and press seam towards the newly added Dresden Blade Unit.
10. Repeat until you have added a total of (18) Dresden Blade Units. Stitch together to form a circle.
11. Staystitch ¼" from raw edge around inner circle. This will help keep blades stitched together when pulling dresden inside out.
12. Form a quilt sandwich. Place batting on a flat surface. Place backing fabric (right side up) on top of batting. Place dresden, wrong side up, on top of backing. The right side of dresden faces right side of backing. Pin in place.
13. Stitch ¼" from the outer edge, through all layers of quilt sandwich, all the way around the perimeter. When you get to a seam between two blades, put your needle in the down position on seam, pivot and continue stitching in a straight line - repeat when you come to a blade point - needle down on seam, pivot, stitch.
14. Cut away all excess batting and backing. Clip corners between dresden blades - up to (not over) stitching line. Trim points to remove excess bulk when turning.
15. Pull dresden right side out through center hole. Poke points out with tip of scissors or a turning tool. Press. Topstitch ¼" around outer edge points.
16. Center the fused fabric circle over opening in dresden. Press.
17. Quilt as desired!
Try this project for Memorial Day or Independence Day! If you complete it and want to share, be sure to tag Baby Lock and Mary-Go-Round Quilts on social media.
