I scored a few of these Dresden rulers at a great price with all of you in mind! So, I thought I would share a little how-to, on how easy they are and show you why you need one. If you already know what to do with this you can go straight to the shop to get yours!
As you can see the ruler has 1/2″ marks. The first step is to decide how big of a plate you want to make and cut a strip of fabric to that width.
Trim up the end with the ruler, the cut your first wedge.
Turn the ruler over and continue cutting wedges.
Works with all sizes, between 1″ and 8″! To make the wedges, fold the wider end, right sides together. I stick a pin in them all then head to the machine.
Sew using 1/4″ seam.
Then we clip the corner and turn it right side out.
Careful not to clip too close to your seam. Then with a thumb on the right side, lay your seam allowance to one side with your index finger and turn it right side out.
Gently press the point out.
And set the points with a hot iron.
For each plate, you need 20 wedges, which are quickly made with this nifty ruler! Starting near the tip, backstitch to secure your stitches, and sew the entire length. Press your seam allowances in one direction, and add more together, until you have a complete plate.
For this stacked version, I used 8″, 5 1/2″ and 2″ strips, and machine quilted each layer in place.
I’ve learned to have lots of fun with these, and can’t wait to see what you come up with too!
Visit the shop to purchase yours and get started!
Happy quilting~
Amy
I definitely have to get one of these rulers! I love making dresden plates, but I always wondered how I could change the size of each dresden to customize my own design idea. Thanks for this great tute! Definitely adding this to my sidebar.
Um, AWESOME!
very pretty and I love dresden plates. I bought that ruler recently. I also like that border. Very good tutorial.
Your quilt is really fun!! and the tute was right on! I am off to your shop!
Amy, you just made this look so easy, great tute! I am sure that it is not really that simple. I may just have to get one of those rulers and see for myself :) Have a great evening!
Thanks for the tutorial Amy! I love my ez dresden ruler it is so much fun to play with!
You certainly make everything look sew easy. Thanks for the tutorial.
Oh my gosh! I had no idea how easy this is. Well you make it look easy and I just love that ruler! Have to have one of my own :)
Now I want a ruler all the more!
Maybe Joannes will carry them, they’d be cheap with a coupon.
I absolutely love that ruler. It’s so fast and easy. Your little quiltie is so cute.
Great tutorial Amy! I love the Dresden plate. I just received a package of Dresden rulers in 18″, 14″ and 9″ size. I believe the largest one will make a circle that is 36″. I can’t wait to try it. I just found your site after listening to Pat Sloan’s show, I look forward to getting to know you.
Thank you so much for the tutorial, Amy. Before your tutorial, I had NO idea how to use the ruler which has been languishing in a drawer for a while. Now I can’t wait to use it.
Looks great! For some reason, I’ve never thought of stacking them.
This is so beautiful! I am definitely going to learn how to make these. I want to try some pillows!
Using the “shop” link posted in the 2nd line of this post, I went there…. but, I wasn’t seeing the Dresden ruler. Was I looking too hard?
I Love your Dresden plate quilt, it’s beautiful! It’s wonderfully contemporary w/ vibrant colors. You made it in My colors, too ;-D After you posted it a short while ago, I was (and am) really encouraged to make one. But, I wasn’t sure what ruler to use, since have yet to use any wedge ruler. Did you read my mind?
Thank you very much for such a clear, concise tutorial on using the wedge ruler. You answered most of my questions!
Your tutorials are great and I appreciate your generosity.
I love this tool. I would like to make this as a table piece of sorts with thinstlebright so it can be used as a hotpad of sorts or just as a table piece like a doily but i do not know how to finish it with a backing, do you have any suggestions for a simple backing?
I bought one of these rulers from your shop (thanks for the scraps!) now I can’t wait to use it!!
I bought one of these rulers from your shop (thanks for the scraps!) now I can’t wait to use it!!
Found it.
How do you know what size quilt block each of the sized wedges will make? For example, if I wanted to make a 6″ finished quilt block, how do I determine which size wedge to cut?
Thanks!
Suzanne
I want to get one of your rulers but have a question. For example, if you use the one that
would be 8 inches long, what would the diameter of the finished dresden plate be? I cannot find that out anywhere. Thanks.
Mary
I have the same question. When I start to design a quilt I choose my block size first then move from there. To make an 8 inch diameter dresden what size do I choose to cut the dresden plates. 4 inch? If you could answer this question that would be great and help more than just me as I noticed I’m not the only person to ask this question.
TIA,
Janet
I absolutely love this quilt and as I have this ruler, I’m going to make it! I had this fabric to but I only have some strips of the jelly roll left.
Thanks for the tutorial