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Monday, January 28, 2013

Dresden Square


Welcome to Dresden Square!

This blog post is my "Journey to Dresden Square" as I find my way without a map, taking an occasional detour, encountering a few challenges, enjoying the adventure as I go.

I am adding this link on April 29th.
This is a favorite quilt that I have made this year.
If you are visiting from this test linky party,
thanks for stopping by.
Looking forward to the
Quilter's Favorites event in May ...

For my Dare to Dresden Project
I decided to try to put my own new twist on this classic block. 
I wanted to make a square plate block.
I designed this block myself.

following the fabric trail
First I found some fabrics in my stash.  These are mostly fat quarters, some of which have already been cut and sewn into other projects. They are all from an older Mark Lipinski line, Califon.  I loved the colors in this fabric line and wish I had more in my stash, but this is enough for my Dresden Square Project. When I was cutting, I did have to add two more colors, and aqua and a cranberry red to have enough fabric and to include two of the colors in the prints not in my fat quarter collection. 
I drew up a plan using my EZ Dresden Ruler from Darlene Zimmermann.  When I was a new quilter, someone gave me her  Quilting, The Complete Guide and it has been my go-to book anytime I need an easy reference to any quilting technique. It has good photos and I am a visual and hands on learner. 
 How I made the block


For each block I cut ...
4  each of five blade colors cut with my EZ Dresden ruler
into 8 inch blades
and
1 center square ... 5 inches square,
cut twice on the diagonal to make 4 triangles.
These are my Block One blade colors and center fabric
I cut the strip horizonatally
and the print vertically for added visual texture
here are the blades laid out on the center fabric
Sew the blades together into four fan sections
chain piece
sew the blades together
press the fan blades all in one direction

cut the 5" center square
cut the center square twice diagonally into four triangles

pin and sew the triangles to the fans
even the seam to 1/4 inch and trim dog-ears
and check to be sure the fan is squared

press to nest seams
nest center seams
half a plate
two halves
make a whole plate


cut the edges off to make a square this block is 14 inches unfinished  and my largest square is 12.5 so I had to use my large cutting ruler

Pillow Cover

My test block also was my practice quilting block and I turned it into a pillow cover to go with my quilt.

Scrappy Dresden Square Baby Quilt
Cutting Requirements for the quilt:

180 blades 8" long
9 squares 5 " then cut twice on the diagonal to make 36 triangles

Making the quilt:
Sewing method as shown in my test block. 
Make 36 scrappy fans. Sew into 9 blocks.  Trim and square to 13.5" unfinished blocks.  Sew rows of three blocks, Sew rows together, matching blade edges. Square quilt.
When it came time to square my blocks to sew them together, I encountered this bump in the road ...
a little more waste than I like to see

When I have the time and inclination, I am going to have to find a use for these pretty scraps. I am thinking my Quick Curve Ruler may come in handy for this purpose. I do like the way this block design looks. With all the trimming, it is just not quite the larger block I set out to make. I have figured out how to "fix" this ... longer blades as I work toward the corners. Now I just need to find the fabric and time to sew and I will be off on a new adventure ... "The Return To Dresden Square!"
That post is for later time though. So please come back to visit me again.
  
Quilt top measures 40" square ... a nice size for a baby quilt.
For the quilting ...
It is so cold here in my quilty corner that when it came time to chose the backing fabric I went with a cozy and bright striped flannel.   We have had single digits with a wind chill below zero at night for several days now in the northeast.  I  love flannel backings for baby quilt. I used warm and natural quilt batting.  I smooth my top and backing very carefully over the backing and only add safety pins to the outer edges. I quilted the center block first and moved outward to the corners.  I do check the back after each block is quilted to make sure I have no folds or puckers in my backing fabric and I smooth the fabric and repin if necessary as I go.
I quilted lines to accent the triangles in the center of the block
then I quilted concentric squares around the center
Even though we have the heat up, it is so cold that wearing my machine quilting gloves felt wonderful,  I always wear these gloves for quilting as I like the way they help me grip the fabric.
close-up of the quilting and block details
this quilting has been quilty kitty inspected ...
... and approved!

My Finished Quilt!

~*~

Before I get to my giveaway,
I would like to share  ...
My First Dresden

I love the beauty of traditional Dresden Plates, too.
The first time I made a Dresden Plate it was a few years ago when I made these half-plates to set this lovely medallion from my friend Ann, in Nova Scotia, on point in a Round Robin. This one I hand appliqued to the setting triangles.  I also added the yellow and brown spacing strips. I learned a lot about quilting joining in these challenges and trying to find and create the right border for each visiting medallion.

I have also learned a lot about quilting from books, although I did not use this book for making my own projects. I learn a lot from reading and then I try to listen to my own quilty muse to create my quilts.

My Dresden Plate Book Giveaway!
~~~~~~~(This Giveaway Is Now Closed)~~~~~
Many of them have been from the library. Others I have found on quilt show and shop sale tables.  When my hubby finds one he thinks I might like at a second hand book store where he likes to browse, he brings it home to me.  All are well-read treasures.  I would like to share one of these books with someone anywhere in the world who would like to learn more about Dresden Plates.  So I am giving away this book from my personal quilting library.

To be eligible to win, please leave me one comment and be sure that I can contact you by email to let you know that you have won and to get your address.

For a second chance to win, please be a follower and leave a second comment telling me you are.

One winner will be chosen at random from all entries by midnight January 31st EST.
~~~~~~~(This Giveaway Is Now Closed)~~~~~
The winner will be announced here on my blog on February 1st.

Thanks for visiting me and be sure to check out all the great Dresden Plate projects today at these blogs ...


January 28th, 2013
Rosemary B @ “that Other Blog”
Life in the Scrapatch (You Are Here!)

Thanks Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt

and
Christine at Quilt Monster in my Closet

for organizing this wonderful blog hop!

Someday my completed Dresden Square Baby Quilt and Pillow
will be  gift for a Mom-To-Be.

I love making baby quilts!



For now, waving "Bye"  from Dresden Square!

Have a happy quilty day!


<3
 

158 comments:

  1. Your square Dresden almost looks 3D. I love this effect, combined with the bright, fun colour. Thanks for sharing how you achieved this look.

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  2. I love your twist on this classic design! I recently saw a few Dresden plate quilts at an antique shop and had to resist buying them. They were so pretty! This is definitely a pattern I'd like to try :) that.is for sharing this technique!

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  3. I am also a follower ;) (and that was supposed to say "thanks" above, but my phone keyboard is difficult and auto correct makes it worse! Oops!)

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  4. I love the square dresden it is stunning you are so very clever. Your half late dresden is super cute too.

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  5. Love your Dresden square quilt! Thank you for sharing and the wonderful giveaway. Keep warm.
    jbechosend at sbcglobal dot net

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  6. I am a follower GFC! jbechosend at sbcglobal dot net

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  7. Love the square Dresden and your quilting must have taken a few hours at the machine. It is stunning!

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  8. Great quilt - I love all the colours and the way you have squared off the plates. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. What a great idea - a square dresden!
    Thank you for sharing!

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  10. Love your take on the dresdens

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  11. Your Dresden Squares are outstanding. Thanks for showing your way to the final.

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  12. What a fantastic twist you've put on the Dresden, your quilt is wonderful and thanks for the tutorial.

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  13. How very original to put a round peg into a square hole! From CA, thanks for sharing.

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  14. Thanks for the tutorial. I love this.

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  15. Cute idea to make it square. Can't wait to see what you do with all those scraps.

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  16. WOW - you did a lot of work on those Dresden's - Creative quilt :)
    (& Happy Kitty)
    Thank you for sharing !!!

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  17. What a great idea for a square Dresden and, of course, a square center. And all the blocks lined up so well. I am impressed. I'm a perfectionist and was concerned if it was all going to work out and it did - to a tee. It is a wonderful size for a baby quilt. The colors are very appealing for a baby, too. A job well done. Thank you participating and inspiring me and many others too.

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  18. I'm a follower. You are very generous to part with a quilt book. Books are very precious to me and I love to spend hours and hours looking at them for inspiration. Thank for being very generous for a special person.

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  19. Thanks for the square Dresden tutorial. I love quilt books - thanks for the chance to win.

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  20. I'm a new follower - thanks again.

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  21. Your quilt is awesome!!!

    I already have the book so if you pull my name, just send me the quilt instead. lol

    Just kidding... but please do not include me in the draw since I already own this inspiring book!

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  22. Delightful 'new' way to create aa dresden! :)

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  23. Love your square dresdens. I didn't realize your center was pieced until I saw your tut. Great job!

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  24. I love the Dresden baby quilt, well done and thanks for sharing how ou pieced your dresdens

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  25. What a fun take on the Dresden - made for a wonderful quilt and pillow. Thank you for sharing how you made this treasure.

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  26. Great tutorial. I love great tutorials as I am always striving to learn more about quilting.

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  27. Thanks for the tips.Your dresden quilt and pillow are just gorgeous!!

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  28. I am a new follower. Can't wait to learn more from your blog!

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  29. This quilt is scrumptious! This is a Dresden I might actually make! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

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  30. Your square Dresden Plate Quilt ar beautiful.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  31. I love your square Dresden and the baby quilt! How clever!!!

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  32. I'm a long time follower, too!

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  33. What a cool quilt! love it. Thanks for the giveaway. vickise at gmail dot com

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  34. I am a follower. Thanks vickise at gmail dot com

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  35. Great idea making your dresden square. I like the second pattern it forms when they are set together too.

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  36. Love how you put those square Dresdens together and the tutorial was so easy to understand. Thanks for sharing!

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  37. Wonderful job taking the Dare! You did a fabulous Tut, too! That is a great twist to the traditional Dresden...Love it.. Hugs and Happy Hopping!!

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  38. I just love it!!! You did a great tutorial; plus a giveaway...thank you

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  39. an absolute delight..so much soooo you will have to check over there...love the book too..looks like a must have...

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  40. Your square dresdens look great! Such a rainbow-y, happy quilt.

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  41. I'm now a follower. I just saw your previous post about using Dresdens as a leader/ender project and I think that is just the best idea yet! I'm going to cut a bunch of blades today!

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  42. I'm now a follower. I just saw your previous post about using Dresdens as a leader/ender project and I think that is just the best idea yet! I'm going to cut a bunch of blades today!

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  43. Love the scrappy Dresden. Thanks for the book giveaway!

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  44. What an ingenious idea. I couldn't for the world see how you make it square at first!

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  45. Oh Pat!!! How cute is this??! You did an awesome job. This quilt makes aprefect baby quilt. I think you should add it to our go-to baby list on the forum :)

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  46. Beautiful dresden...love the square concept...very different! Lovely!

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  47. Hi!! WOW!!! I love your squared dresden!!! Love them put together in your baby quilt!!! Great visual effect!!! Thank You

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  48. I am a happy follower!!! Thanks for the fun give away!!!

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  49. I love the quilt and matching Pillow. Thanks for sharing.

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  50. I love your square Dresden! How awesome and innovative!!

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  51. So different, and cute. Thanks for showing how to do it.
    Regrds from Ingrid, in Sweden.

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  52. Your Dresdens are absolutely beautiful!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  53. I'm a follower.
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  54. Making them square is so cool--love it! I really want to try it. Quilty Kitty is so right to approve it! Thanks for sharing!

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  55. Seguidora nova GFC 114.Só novidades por aqui,este tutorial é arrepiante,obrigada.Gostaria de ganhar este livro,me será útil,trabalho comsucatas.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

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  56. A square dresdren, how creative. I love the pillow and quilt. Thanks for sharing.

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  57. Love your spin on the Dresden plate.....and the ones surrounding the Medallion is very pretty....

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  58. I am a new follower, but I am enjoying your blog.....in fact I'm going to make the Valentine Heart.....thanks for the tutorial....

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  59. I just had a moment of "now who would have thought of that!" YOU DID! Such an original idea to me!
    Wonderful tut too!

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  60. Your square Dresden is wonderful. Thanks for the tutorial on doing it.

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  61. OMG - I love your square dresden. I want to make my own. Maybe after I get a few of these UFS completed.

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  62. Love it. This is the first time I have ever seen one square. You did and awesome job.
    conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  63. Your quilt is beautiful and so different. You did a fantastic job. I think I would like to try this sometime. Thanks for sharing.

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  64. Your Dresden quilt is fabulous! Great design and I love your color choices. Thanks for sharing the tutorial. Well put together.

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  65. I'm a new follower. Thanks for the giveaway and I look forward to reading your future posts.

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  66. Love your square dresden. Thanks for sharing.

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  67. Love the baby quilt. I am bookmarking your great tutorial for future reference.

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  68. Now this is stunning! I like the modern feel your quilt has to it:)
    Thank you for the chance:)

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  69. I'm so glad that I follow your fantastic blog!

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  70. Another wonderful inspiration - I love the square block - thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us all. Judy C is a devoted follower.

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  71. A square dresden...I love it. Way to think outside the circle!

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  72. I'm a new follower. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  73. Wonderful dresden! How neat to have a square center! Thanks for sharing!

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  74. Had to comment because this is yet another innovative Dresden technique that I love! And those curved waste tops might also make great DWR melons.

    And please, don't include me in the giveaway as I had just rec'd this book before the hop so already have it! Thanks!

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  75. Rosemary B here: fantastic. I love your projects, square dresdens look great! Love the colors very very much. Kitty approved is really important I know.
    thank you for sharing

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  76. Rosemary B here: already following for a long time :-)❀

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  77. I like your square dresden. I am going to be a new grandma in August, so I am keeping this one in mind. Thanks.

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  78. I enjoyed your sqare dresden. Very unique to me. I signed up to follow you.

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  79. I am a follower on your blog. I would like a chance to win your book.

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  80. How clever is a square Dresden. I love it! I also think it was a good idea to put a flannel backing on it. I agree with kitty. It is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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  81. I am a new follower and want to tell you also that your first Dresden was gorgeous.

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  82. ooohhhh I love the square dresden! I can imagine possibilities with it! Thank you for the tutorial!

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  83. Wow - you did a lot of creative work! The colors are outstanding and the placement is perfect! Gives impression of wonderful movement. Thanks for sharing.

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  84. Love this unique quilt! Please don't enter me in the giveaway - getting to see your creativity was enough of a gift. :) blessings, marlene

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  85. You're right; those colors are wonderful. Thanks for the informative tutorial. I am seriously thinking about the baby quilt as that is the size I am most comfortable with.

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  86. Wow, this one is different. It's great!

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  87. I love your block and your quilt lovely and unique!

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  88. Thank you for the great tutorial on how you made your great Dresden!!! I love it square :) Your "scraps" would look great in a border, don't you think? I love using the "extras" from a quilt in borders!

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  89. I am a happy new follower looking forward to watching your creative journey!

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  90. Following but in sage feeds but I don't expect to win anything anyway.

    I love the squared up blocks----very cool!

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  91. OMG!!! They are simply wonderful. I love the colors, the fabrics, and how you quilted it. I even had to book mark this so I can try it myself.

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  92. Are you kinding, I have to follow you, I just could not loose you in all the blogs that I follow.

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  93. What a beautiful block and what a BEAUTIFUL quilt! Really fabulous, it takes my breath away!

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  94. What a great idea. I will have to try this out. Thanks

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  95. Great idea! Can't wait to see what you do with the scraps!

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  96. Awesome idea! Love your Dresden Squares!! And thank you for sharing the How-To Make Em with us!! :)

    Thanks for chance to win your Drawing too!

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  97. I'm a new follower to your Blog too.

    Oh..thanks for sharin' the idea on how to sort the blades for sewin! :)

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  98. This is wonderful! Love this! (Am a follower!)

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  99. I completely love your square dresden blocks! Very creative and the directions were written up so nicely. You've got a very friendly blog.

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  100. I am happily a new follower. A happy new follower? Well, I'm a new follower and I certainly am happy blog hopping away while it's snowy and cold outside!

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  101. I have never seen a square dresden .This is awesome. Thank you for the tutorial.

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  102. Beautiful dresdens. And it makes such a great baby quilt.

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  103. I love the square dresdens, one thing about these hops that they bring out the creativity in all and we really see such different ways of doing a single block.

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  104. LOVE the square dresden, and love the baby blanket! I think you have inspired me to make one for my little guy (7 months) and maybe one for my little girl (2 years). I absolutely love this as a square!

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  105. I love your take on the dresden - square is something that would not enter my mind when thinking 'dresden'. Thanks for the tut.

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  106. Just beautiful Dresdens! Thank you so much for sharing

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  107. That is really cool, thank you for a chance to win

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  108. Such a cute idea for a baby blanket. Thanks for sharing your squared up version.

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  109. A very new approach to Dresdens. I love the square center and then offsetting the whole block. Way cool. I agree with Kitty....

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  110. Great job on your Dresden block. I love the way your quilt turned out. Thanks for sharing.

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  111. I love your unique Dresden Plate design especially the square center.
    Thanks for participating in the bloghop. It has been lots of fun to see other people's interesting designs.
    Regards from Alberta Canada,
    Anna

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  112. Your square dresdens are lovely. I love the colors you chose. You deserve to be in the top 3! I am honored to be next to you with my little dresden stool. Congratulations!

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  113. Oh Pat! Love your Square Dresden - so original and wonderful! And congratulations on winning Top 2!!!

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  114. Square dresden and square center. I love the way your quilt looks. So original! Thanks for showing how you did it!

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  115. I really like your square dresden version! I got to your blog through Jeannie's (Spiral) link. Very nice! Cheers! Evelyn

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  116. What a fun square Dresden! LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing °Ü°

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  117. what a fantastic idea! It looks like a totally different block done square

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  118. Your squares are suberb and so unique. Great project.

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  119. Oh my, I LOVE your square Dresdens!!! May be one of my favorites---along with the the first DP you did---I can't think of anything I love more than Dresdens set with applique. Just gorgeous.

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  120. I'm a new follower. I love the quilt. I look forward to trying some of your easier patterns for now. Thanks for sharing.

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  121. AWESOME!! I would have never thought of a square Dresden plate. I'm luv'n the parade of Dresden projects on this blog hop. Thanks for sharing yours, I luv the square look! Happy stitching, Pauline

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  122. I am a new follower #128, thanks for the inspiration. Pauline

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  123. Wow! Fantastic! I love love love it! Thanks for showing us the process! Thanks for participating and inspiring us!

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  124. I absolutely LOVE the square Dresden!!!! What an awesome idea!!! Ok it is on my to do list:)
    Thanks!

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  125. Great take on the dresden, love the square. I read your posts, but am a new follower.

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  126. I really loved the square Dresden. Thanks for being part of the hop.

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  127. beautiful and unique quilt, thanks for sharing!
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente

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  128. Love the square Dresden quilt!
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  129. gfc follower: nicolesender
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  130. Hiya Ms.Pat!!! {{waves Tricia}}

    Okay I had to come see your Dresden and WOW!!!!!
    It is just amazing & bright too!

    Oh I'm a new follower too.

    You know I was looking at your leftovers & You know they kind remind me a of pattern a someone in my sewing circle is making.

    It's a scrappy Rob Peter to Pay Paul pattern. So it might not be a waste. ;)

    Thanks for the chance to win you yummy book!!

    Sincerely,
    Tricia aka Quercus Rubra

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  131. Terrific! Those square dresdens are so eye catching and creative. Thanks for sharing!

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  132. Your quilt and pillow are awesome! Very inspiring!

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  133. Thanks to all who visited and left me lovely comments. You have all made this hop sew wonderful!

    This giveaway is now closed.

    Time to go to the random number generator and see who will be receiving the book ... Best of luck, everyone! ... :) Pat

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  134. I just found your site. I love Dresdens too. Yours is gorgeous and I hope to make one like it soon. Thanks for sharing your idea.

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  135. Thank you for this lovely pattern as I really Dresden block quilts. I have been looking for something a bit different as a quilt for my soon-to-be-born mid-year great nephew.

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Thanks for stopping by and leaving a kind word! :-)