Dresden Mini Plates

Today, well really a couple of days ago I thought I'd try a new technique (to me) and make it a mini.  Small mainly because all, and I mean all, of my eventual studio is packed and covered in plastic as the build out goes on.  So here I am trying new things Mini Mondays and Technique Tuesdays.

I've always wanted to try a Dresden Plate, but didn't want to commit to the thousands of blades for a bed quilt.  The solution of course is to make it small.  Well if the quilt is small, shouldn't the plates be small?  Most certainly.  These are smaller, but probably not in the true miniaiture definition.  They are 5 inches across, the block is about 7 inches across and the whole quilt is about 22 x 29.  That fits my definition of miniature.

I also tried a new, again new to me, technique - piping.  What better place to practice something new than on a smaller scale.  I have to admit, this was a might bit tedious for me but I like the result.  Have  you tried anything new lately?

Its Sunday and I started working on the quilting the mini. I looked around the web for something appropriate and thought a cross hatch would look cute.  Have you ever tried to cross hatch without marking pens?  Remember all my supplies are covered in plastic.  So I went old school, ruler, blunt end object, and indentations.  If you do it this way, shadows are your friend.  (They help you stay on track.)  After the cross hatching, the next quandry is what to do with the sashing and plates?  Hmmmm.  (If only I was a better photographer)




I'm finished for now, note the first picture, and just going to leave the outer border alone for now.  I just cant decide what to do with it.  That and the fact that I'm having trouble FMQ today.  Try something new, have fun.

M