I started the Splendid Sampler block Thursday evening and finished up Friday; this was a good block to break up into at least 2 or more segments because there are some steps in here that took some time.

The Dresden pieces themselves were actually really easy to make.  An accurate quarter inch seam was the key to that. I measured it after I sewed 3 Dresden pieces together to make sure it was 1/4th of a circle and then again after I had 6 together to make sure it was an even half.

I used my AccuQuilt circle dies to cut the large center circle as well as the 6 smaller ones. The one thing I did without a die was the small center template. My friend, Lisa, had suggested I draw the 3/4″ circle on to a piece of freezer paper.  Freezer paper has a small plastic coating on it which is a cheap – and good – alternative to buying sheets of plastic for cutting out templates, especially if you’re only using it for a few pieces like this. The main thing to remember is to have the shiny side down when you iron on it so you don’t mess up the iron.

I used my new-to-me Featherweight and sewed a running stitch around the outside of the fabric, then gathered the stitches – a picture where I started this is above – and then ironed it with the template inside. Then I starched it. Then I took the template out and starched it some more. Then I glue basted it onto the Dresden pieces.  The multiple steps of ironing made sure the tiny pieces didn’t shift too much and also flattened them.

And then I was done, other than stitching everything into place!

We have a small rug to help the dog get traction when he wants to get on the couch. Not necessarily a pretty rug…but I like the design. I started thinking about a quilt we saw on our road trip this week that had multiple layers of needle turned applique on it.  That started me thinking about this rug. Could I take this photo and bring it into EQ7, trace around the lines and make a mini quilt pattern?

I haven’t actually done that, but thinking is the first step, right?