2015 Adventure Quilt: Block of the Month #6

BoM June Nancy Zieman Watermarked

2015 Adventure Quilt: Block of the Month #6

BoM June Nancy Zieman WatermarkedCan you believe we are half way through our block of the month adventure? This sixth Block of the Month is the Art Deco Dresden. The modifications to a traditional Dresden block give a striking new look to an old favorite. Using the Sew Grand Dresden Templates, the Dresden sections are pieced and easily machine appliquéd. You may recall that we also used this template set in January’s Block #1 and April’s Block #4. As a bonus, this block has two appliqué size variations; make one or both. 

The series of blocks will go together in The 2015 Adventure Quilt. Join us on our journey as we stitch our way through many quilting fabrics and scraps using lots of different techniques. 

This quilt will be a scrap adventure. Total yardage for the entire quilt is not provided. Rather, we will be working in a color palette of scraps (or Fat Quarters).

If you’d like this block pattern as a downloadable PDF, please click the “Print Post as PDF” button at the lower right of this post.

Notions, Fabrics, and Supplies:

Get started by choosing fabrics. Any three-color combinations will work. I had a surplus of black, white, and chartreuse green in my quilting fabric scraps.

2a Choose Fabrics copy

Month: Art Deco Dresden

All blocks in The 2015 Adventure Quilt measure 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″, creating a 12″x 12″ finished block. 1/4″ seam allowances are included.

Supplies:

  • Assorted Fabric Scraps
  • Trace ‘n Create Dresden Templates
  • Sof Shape Interfacing
  • Fine Tip Non-Permanent Marking Pen

Trace and Cut

For the smaller appliquéd design (green background with a black and white appliqué):

  • Cut a 10-1/4″ crosswise strip. Then trace one 12″ Dresden wedge (center), aligning the template on the fabric between the 12″ Dresden Wedge marking and the lower edge, which is the same as the  4-1/2″ circle marking.
  • Cut a 6-1/4″  and a 4-1/4″ crosswise strip. Then trace  two  8″ and 6″ wedges. Again, align the template between either the 8″ or 6″ Dresden Wedge markings and the lower edge.

Note from Nancy: If you are only making one block, cut a partial crosswise strip or use scraps of fabric. You’ll only need a small amount of fabric for each wedge. 

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman A

  • Rotary cut along the marked lines.
Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman BArt Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman cFor the larger appliquéd block (black background with a green and white appliqué):
  • Cut a 13-1/4″ crosswise strip. Then trace  one 16″ Dresden Wedge (center), aligning the template on the fabric between the 16″ wedge marking and the  lower 6-1/2″ circle marking.
  • Cut a 9-1/4″  and a 5-1/4″ crosswise strips. Then trace  two  12″ and 8″ wedges. Again, align the template along the 12″ or 8″ Dresden Wedge marking and the 6-1/2″ circle line.
Block of the Month Nancy Zieman Art Deco Dresden
Note From Nancy: The wedges in this block were fussy-cut to create a secondary design. The translucent templates make it easy to center the template over a specific portion of the fabric design.

Block of the Month Nancy Zieman Art Deco Dresden

Both the larger and smaller appliqué shapes will be constructed in the same manner.
  • Fold each wedge in half lengthwise.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman d

  • Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to chain stitch the short ends of all Dresden wedge shapes.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman e1

  • Clip chain stitching threads.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman f1

  • Finger press the seams open. Turn each wedge right-side out.
  • Make a pressing template from a 4″ square of tag board. Draw a straight line from corner to corner.
  • Insert pressing template between fabric layers, aligning seam with a straight line. Press.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman g

  • Stagger the five wedges.
  • Matching right sides together, align the smaller pair of wedges.
  • Use a 1/4″ seam allowance to stitch along the shortest wedge.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman h

  • Press the seam allowance AND the unstitched edge of the larger wedge towards the wrong side of the larger wedge. In some cases, the “press towards the darker fabric” will not apply. It is ok.
Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman i
  • Repeat these steps to add the remaining three wedges.

Create the Quarter Circle

  • A 4-1/2″ quarter circle was used for the smaller appliquéd  block and a 6-1/2″ quarter circle was used for the larger appliquéd  block.
  • Cut one fabric and one interfacing square to create a 4-1/2″  or 6-1/2″ quarter circle,  2-1/2″ and 3-1/2″ squares respectively. Directions are given in the packaging for the Trace’n Create Dresden Template.
  • Lay the smooth side of the interfacing on the right side of the fabric.
  • Using a fine tip marking pen to trace the quarter circle onto the interfacing.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman k

  • Pin the two layers together, matching right sides.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman l

  • Straight stitch directly on the marked curve.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman m

  • Use a rotary pinking blade to remove excess fabric.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman n

  • Remove the excess interfacing from within the circle, leaving approximately 1″ of interfacing.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman o

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman p

  • Press.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman q
Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman rAppliqué and Finish

  • Position the stitched wedge shape in one corner of the block, matching the cut edges of the block with the cut edges of the wedge.
  • Pin in place.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman s

  • Use monofilament thread to edgestitch around the points.
  • Baste along the cut edges within the 1/4″ seam allowance.

Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman tArt Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman u

  • Position the quarter circle over the wedges aligning the cut edges of the corner.
  • Pin and edge stitch with monofilament thread.
Art Deco Quilt Block Nancy Zieman vTa Dah! The June block is complete. Six down, six to go!

BoM June Nancy Zieman WatermarkedBoM June Nancy Zieman2 Watermarked

Share your 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks Socially

If you have a blog site, website, or online social sewing group, feel free to grab the code and share this button.

Nancy Zieman Block of the Month
If you are on social sites like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, or Facebook, let all your friends know you are working on The 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks by tagging your post with the hashtag: #NZBoM.

The hashtag is a searchable “word” associated with an event or activity, which, when searched on popular social websites, like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook, will show every single post using that hashtag. Even if you don’t personally know that stitcher, you’ll see her/his progress and a photo. Hashtags are a fun way to network and connect with people who share similar interests.

What would a Quilt Look Like?

As part of this Block of the Month series, included are ideas of what a quilt might look like if you made it with only this month’s block. Some of the concepts have sashing and others do not. These quilts are a good way to brainstorm what this block looks like repeated.

  • Arranging the directional Art Deco block around a center point creates this medallion style quilt.Deco Medallion
  • This quilt creates the illusion of floral clusters by grouping four blocks together and meeting the center quarter-circles.Deco Flowers
  • With traditional quilt sashings, this quilt features the strong diagonal line created in each block, to create a crisscross directional effect over the entire quilt design.TraditionalDecoBlock

Watch Sew Grand Dresden Quilts on Sewing With Nancy online.

To watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.

Sew Grand Dresden Quilts with Nancy Zieman

Read and watch more about all the different quilt designs you can create with the Sew Grand Dresden Templates.

In the 2015 Adventure Quilt Block of the Month series, we’ll be making twelve fun blocks from five different templates/tools: Carefree Curves TemplateDresden TemplateGrandmother’s One Patch TemplateLone Star Template, and the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge.

See all the 2015 Adventure Quilt Blocks HERE.


The random winner of  a Trace ‘n Create Carefree Curves Template set from Clover is Betty. She said: I started sewing when I was very young and thought I knew everything about sewing until I started watching your TV shows. I’ve got many of your books and have learned many, many things. Love it and I am going to make the little boat quilt. I have four little great grandchildren that would love them. Thank you Nancy for getting me back to sewing.

Trace 'n Create Quilt Templates Carefree Curves Collection by Nancy Zieman

Bye for now,

Nancy Zieman The Blog

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Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswoman, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s blog at NancyZieman.com/blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in sewing, quilting, and creating.

13 Comments

  • Mary B
    June 20, 2015

    Love, love, love the fresh “art deco” look on the dresden plate pattern. Also, the fussy cut block brings something timeless to a new level. Love it !!!

  • Marty
    June 20, 2015

    After edge-stitching with monofilament thread, are we to cut away except for 1/4-inch on the back so not two layers of fabric under the appliqued dresden wedge shape? Thanks!

  • Judy Kirkpatrick
    June 20, 2015

    How imaginativeFrom the Art Deco look to wonky fences on children’s quilts. I have so many quits in mind and sew little time (I’m 75). This would be a great labor-saving device as I try to make five more quilts for the grands.

  • Ella Liddle
    June 20, 2015

    These are just beautiful. Thanks for sharing. ella : )

  • Karen B
    June 20, 2015

    I love and appreciate all you do for the sake of promoting quilting and exposing us to possibilities for involvement in local and international causes.
    You are a generous and talented humanitarian.

  • Connie W
    June 20, 2015

    Great colors & great design.

  • Frances
    June 20, 2015

    What an amazingly cool block!!! I like the Dresden plate pattern, but doubt I’d ever make one. This art deco block just might be a mind changer. Thanks!

  • Jennifer Fried
    June 21, 2015

    Dear Nancy , I can see lots of configurations with this one. Very creative. Thanks for sharing. Jenny

  • Angela Bartleman
    July 15, 2015

    Has the Month 7 BOM been released yet? I can’t find it. Thank you 🙂

  • Dawn
    August 12, 2015

    hope you are doing well. I’m also fighting cancer. However going to my sewing room and spending time on different projects is a great help. Love you Show and think positive all the time.
    Prayers for you
    Dawn

  • FRANCES DOWNS
    December 12, 2015

    NANCY CAN YOU DEMO HOW TO SPLIT ONE DRESDEN BLADE FOR TWO DIFFRENT FABRICS THEN SEWN TOGETHER AS ONE BLADE…I WOULD LIKE TO DO A TABLE CENTER PIECE….
    OR IS THERE ALREADY PATTERN …IM HAVING A PROBLEM
    FINDING ONE…THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

  • Deb nelson
    September 2, 2017

    So sorry u r leaving tv. We have been blessed to have learned so much from u…injoy your retirement. Hope u stay in good health. GOD BLESS U AND ALL U DO. ONE QUESTION WILL U STILL BE ON UTUBE

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