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Dresden Petals Block of the Month #7 | Quilt Sew-Along (2023)

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Debbie Shore's quilt block tutorial will teach you English Paper Piecing (EPP).

This month's block is called Dresden Petals, and the main quilting method used is English Paper Piecing. We’ve used English Paper Piecing (EPP) for a few Block of the Month quilts (such as March 2022’s Star Wreath block and May 2020’s Flower block). It’s an effective, neat way of creating unusual shapes for patchwork.

What is English Paper Piecing? English Paper Piecing is a hand-sewing technique used in quilting to create precise geometric shapes by wrapping fabric around paper templates and then stitching them together. This method is especially popular for intricate designs like hexagons, diamonds, and other complex patterns that would be difficult to piece accurately by machine.

If you struggle with hand piecing or hand sewing, here's an alternative to the instructions below. Cut out fabric using the template provided with an accurate ¼in (5mm) side seam allowance. Follow the instructions for sticking the curved edges to the papers but leave the longer straight edges unstuck. Gently remove the templates, ensuring you keep the smooth curved edges turned under. With right sides together and a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance, machine stitch the three petals together from the side marker points to the lower edge. Continue with step 6 to secure the petals to the background and machine top stitch around the top of the petals.

Untrimmed block size: 12½in (31.75cm) square

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Rotary cutter
• Quilting ruler
• Quilting mat
• Fabric shears
• Paper scissors
• Dresden Petal Template (you?ll need 12 copies of the template), using paper or light card
• Fabric glue stick
• Hand-sewing needle
• Optional: spray starch

Materials

Fabrics (see my?Introduction to the 2023 Block of the Month). From these, you will need to cut:

• One 12?in (31.75cm) square in WW
• Using the template, cut out eight shapes in FAB3 and four shapes in FAB4, adding ?in (5mm) seam allowance all around the shape (by ?topping and tailing? the template ? rotating and tessellating the templates, with at least ?in (1.25cm) in between them ? you will save on fabric)

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