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💠 double dresden wreath pattern 💠
Today I'm sharing a tutorial to make this fun Double Dresden Wreath! It is a quick sew and a perfect way to brighten up your home. Obviously this one has a Christmas theme but you could make it for any season/occasion using appropriate fabrics. I demonstrated my design on the Sewing Quarter, you can see the video at the end of this post and lots of people messaged in with fabulous suggestions for fabrics they would use to make the wreath!
I used the Creative Grids 18° Dresden Plate Ruler to make this, I highly recommend Creative Grids but you can use another dresden plate template or ruler if you already have one in your possession. The segments I cut are 8" but you could make them bigger or smaller to create different sized wreaths.
You will need:
Fabric for the dresdens, you can use two or more prints or make it scrappy!
Toy filling (approx. 325g)
Pins
Pinking Shears
- Use your Dresden Plate Ruler to cut 40 pieces - 20 for each dresden. *Please note if you are using a different template check how many segments are required to make a full dresden plate and adjust this amount if necessary.
- With right sides together (RST) sew across the wider edge of the segment, backstitch at the beginning and end. It is quicker to chain piece all the segments at once.
- Clip the corner close to the stitches at the folded edge and turn right side out. Use a fine crochet hook or similar to push out the point. Try to make the seam on the reverse central and the points at the side should be horizontal.
- Sew the segments together but stop at least 1/4" away from the bottom. Continue to sew the segments together to make a full dresden plate. You can sew them in quarters or thirds and then piece them together to make it easier to manage.
- Repeat to make two dresden plates.
- From the reverse, fold back the seam of the inner circle by at least 1/4". By leaving the seams unsewn it should fold back easily to create a circle. Press and repeat for the other dresden plate.
- Place the dresden WRONG sides together. Match the outer points and pin in place - don't be afraid of stretching them slightly and just get them matching as neatly as possible, particularly at the inner points.
- Match up the inner circle, keeping the seams tucked inside and pin.
- Using a matching thread top stitch around the inner circle. Stop and pivot as necessary.
- Now stitch a circle around the outer edges, ignoring the points, and leave a gap for stuffing. The gap needs to be large enough for you to reach in and stuff the furthest part of the wreath. This will catch the seams of the points and create the shape of the wreath. Try not to sew a straight line across the base of the triangles but rather make a slight curve to keep a circular shape. Back stitch at the beginning and end.
- Stuff the wreath with toy filling. Use your hands and make it as compact as possible. Don't worry if it starts looking odd (and it will!), just keep packing it in and making a circle.
- Stitch the gap closed. I managed to do this easily on my machine, just make sure the stuffing is pushed out of the way. You could also hand sew it closed.
- To make the sash and bow use 2 strips of 8" x WOF, sew together along one short edge.
- Use pinking shears to trim along each of the long edges. Tie around the wreath to form a bow, you will have long tails which you can trim to your desired length. Fold the tails RST lengthwise and cut at an angle up towards the fold with pinking shears.
- Use a small piece of fabric to make a loop, attach to the back of the bow sash.
Hang your Double Dresden wreath and enjoy! I would love to see your version! Please tag me @charmaboutyou and add the hashtag #doubledresdenwreath on social media so I can see. I would appreciate you linking back to this tutorial too, thanks! Happy making!
(please excuse the fact there are different fabrics used in the pictures in this tutorial, one was the finished make and one was for my demo!)
linking to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
☾ what a change ☽
Over the summer I had fun on instagram with Stitched In Color. Rachel's use of colour always inspires me and she runs exciting mosaic contests on her blog - it's always fascinating to see the fabric collections people create! This challenge was a bit different because it encouraged you to dive into your stash, to create and play with fabric, and to create fabric stacks with what you already have.
We collaborated over the themes for the #30 days of fabric stacks challenge, though Rachel already had a list ready because she's a pro at themes! Some were straight forward and then there were a few that took a little more thinking about, it really was an excellent way to explore your stash. Thank you to Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory for sponsoring 30 Days of Fabric Stacks and allowing there to be amazing prizes. Bobbie Lou's offers a fabulous selection of vibrant, eclectic fabrics. It was perfect to allow a 'cheat day' for the challenge, allowing everyone to use a photo of fabric from Bobbie Lou's when they weren't able to create a stack from their stash.
So although the challenge is over I thought it would be a good idea to put all my fabric stacks together and see what they look like. I really learned a lot from doing the challenge... what I like, what I don't, the colours I'm drawn to, the colours I use the most from my stash. And even more meaningful discoveries like how so often I go with my gut feelings and that they're near enough always right; fabric holds memories, which is more important to me than the print; and I actually have finally been able to define my style in a way that makes sense to me.
That's my style... I don't have one, I have several... actually nearly all of them! My style doesn't fit neatly into a genre. I'm dancing around the margins, appreciating modern, retro and traditional fabric and designs. My style is my mood, idea, feeling and instinct. It always evolves, adapts and is pretty random. I have a miscellaneous style and I'm happy to finally claim that as my definition!
I also love that this looks like an improv quilt.
While it might seem odd, being able to confidently state what my style is has been incredibly freeing. I don't have to over think anything and can trust my instincts. I felt like overhauling a few things after that, one was my blog (I hope you like the new layout!) and next I would like to work on my sewing space. It's too messy to function right now.
If you missed the challenge I still suggest going to take a look at the themes, just play around with your fabrics and see where it takes you!
I also love that this looks like an improv quilt.
While it might seem odd, being able to confidently state what my style is has been incredibly freeing. I don't have to over think anything and can trust my instincts. I felt like overhauling a few things after that, one was my blog (I hope you like the new layout!) and next I would like to work on my sewing space. It's too messy to function right now.
If you missed the challenge I still suggest going to take a look at the themes, just play around with your fabrics and see where it takes you!
finishing binding
For those of you that like a neat finish on your binding, I made a little video to explain how I put the ends together. It's the quickest and simplest way I have found!
I have a tutorial for how to put binding on a quilt, which includes making mitred corners and hand sewing the binding down, click here to read how!
There is a lot of secret sewing going on here so I can't show you much at the moment but pop back here tomorrow for a fun giveaway :)
Happy Wednesday everyone!
Le Challenge - hooking up with Nat!
In our pre-baby waiting hours, we dreamt up a new challenge open to all crafters – not
just quilters, knitters or else. A theme would be set for all to interpret in
their choice of crafty weapons.
Fast forward 3 months and we are ready to set the theme for
the first Le Challenge on Friday 15. There is a blog, there is a button, and
there are two lovely (huh huh) organisers with wild ideas about themes.
<div align="center"><a href="http://le-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/" title="Le Challenge"><img src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z475/Lucy_Brennan/lechallengebutton2_zps18ffdfca.png" alt="Le Challenge" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
So how does it work?
On the 15th
of every month, we will set a new theme for you (and us) to be inspired by.
Your homework should be in on 15th of the following month. One
theme, one month. All crafts, sizes of projects welcomed, in fact the more varied
the entries are the better.
To inspire you even more, some lovely sponsors will offer
giveaways and every entry will be put in a draw.
So what do you reckon? Are you ready for your first Le
Challenge? The theme will be announced on our blogs and Le Challenge blog.
We will be posting on Le Challenge regularly so be sure to
check out the blog!
Lucy & Nat
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