Jingle Jingle!

Tis' The Season to be Dresden, Fa LA La la la....

©owltellyousew

I don't know what it is about Dresden's, but I love them! I've read somewhere that the name comes from a small town in Germany, and were originally created during the 1920's when floral decor was popular, and women could easily whip this up using whatever scraps they had laying around the house. This could all be BS?! Because you can't believe everything you read on the Internet, right?

The little pedals can be made in all different shapes and sizes. I received a magazine recently called "Love Patchwork & Quilting" and it came with a modern Dresden project book. I decided Christmas would be the perfect time to create a pretty Dresden table runner. I've made them before, using a Dresden ruler and a charm pack. This time was different....I was using a cheerful, holiday fabric with different size templates. I've always wanted to use the rounded edge, but not sure exactly how? I'll have to save that for another day. Here is a page out of the booklet to show all the different options you can make using these templates. Pretty cool?!

Here are the 12 pedals I was using to make one Dresden. This Dresden was used with the 12-blade ruler, meanings 12 pedals. The other rulers used 8-blade and 5-blade. Those would be chunkier with less pedals. Once they are all sewn together, I cut one 18x18 background square and fold it half, and in half again to find the center. I usually iron press the center and pin the Dresden around the center of the background square. Each template offers different dimensions.

You need a cardboard template to make the center circle. Here, I am using the template that came with the magazine. I draw an outline around the template and cut out the red circle center fabric. I do a simple gather stitch around the edge. Place the template inside the circle and iron around so it makes a perfect circle. 

Press, starch.... Remove the template and pin to the center of the Dresden.

Here is a YouTube tutorial by Jenny Doan, of Missouri Star Quilting CO. and how she makes the center circle. It's very easy to understand. I love watching her video tutorials, they are sew easy! Check it out here.

The shorter the Dresden pedal, the bigger the center circle. If you look closely at the center circle template, you will see it starts with a small red circle, then purple, green and blue. I only used the blue and purple center circles for this table runner. 

I started with the red, center circle and used a coordinating red thread to blanket stitch around. Once that was finished, I began to stitch the pedals. Stay as close to the edge as possible, and slowly work your way around. I always use the drop needle, so I don't lose my spot-and go slowly! There is no rush and you want to make sure it is flat and does not bunch. Make sure to use a lot of pins. Some people prefer to hand baste around the circle first, but I like to use my machine.

Round and round we go! 

Once they are all done and sewn together, I added the same red metallic border all the way around. I still need to baste, bind and quilt! I think this would make a great gift for my God-mother who loves Christmas decorations as much as I do. The fabric I used was a bundle called, Jingle by Kate Spain for Moda, it has to be one of my favorite lines. I love the cardinals and Christmas writing.

Isn't it pretty? I'm a new blogger, so I apologize for the picture quality. I'm still learning. I wouldn't consider this post a tutorial, but you could use it as a resource. Thanks, hope you enjoyed!