I really enjoyed working on this quilt, and I especially enjoyed free-motion quilting this quilt. I'm trying to spread my FMQ wings and try things other than just stippling, so for this one, I decided to FMQ in the negative space rather than on the patchwork, to try to emphasize the patchwork. I stitched a continuous line swirl pattern all throughout the negative space, and though at first it was frustrating and made my eyes water from concentrating so hard, it ultimately became a lot of fun once I got the hang of it. I will definitely be FMQ'ing like this again! I used Aurifil 50 wt for this quilt the whole way through, and oh my goodness, it just glides through my machine like butter! The stitching is so smooth, especially during FMQ. Love it!
Quilt Stats
name: Dresden Stairs
size: 45" x 54"
pattern: original, using an EZ Dresden ruler
fabrics: Free Spirit Designer Essentials Houndstooth in Aqua, Dear Stella Basketweave in Yellow, DS Quilts Bias Plaid Pink, DS Quilts Large Floral Pink, Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow Beads, Annette Tatum Boho Chevron in Orange, Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow Herringbone in both Berry and Pond, Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow Acorn Chain in Pond, Patty Young Lush Running Stitch in Creamsicle, Art Gallery Gold Lace, Kona White
backing: Bazaar Style Imperial Turquoise by Pat Bravo and Meadowsweet Peony Plaid by Sandi Henderson
binding: Modern Whimsy Circles in Park by Laurie Wisbrun
quilting: overall continuous line swirl pattern, by me
Be sure to visit Colleen today, too, as she's sharing her EZ Dresden Challenge project! For more details on the challenge, including the amazing prizes and the other blog hop links, visit the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild.
And now, for the giveaway! Enter here to win your very own EZ Dresden ruler! There are so many possibilities with this ruler, I highly recommend working with it, it's a lot of fun, and you have plenty of time to cook up your own challenge entry before the project link-up gets underway in September. To enter, simply leave a comment here, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, June 14th. Good luck!
For more inspiration and ideas for the EZ Dresden Challenge, follow along with the blog hop:
- June 1: Salt Lake MQG: Kick Off
- June 2: Lee from Freshly Pieced
- June 3: Kati at from the blue chair
- June 4: Victoria from Bumble Beans Inc, Tanya from Squares and Triangles
- June 5: Val from How About Pink Please, Leigh from Leedle Deedle Quilts
- June 6: Amy from Amy's Creative Side, Elisa from Stitch Outside the Ditch
- June 7: Katie from Swim Bike Quilt, Emily from Em's Scrapbag
- June 8: Melissa from Happy Quilting Melissa, Brooke from Pitter Putter Stitch
- June 9: Nicole from Mama Love Quilts, Amy from Don't You Know Who I Am
- June 10: Elizabeth from Don't Call Me Betsy, Colleen from The Busy Bean
- June 11: Faith from Fresh Lemons Quilts, Deonn from Quiltscapes Quilting
- June 12: Angela from The Artists' House, Barbie from The Quilting Mill
- June 13: Amy from Diary of a Quilter
- June 14: Jessica from Sew Crafty Jess
- June 15: Salt Lake MQG: Wrap-up
Wow, love your quilt. I'm dying to try this ruler...i starred your post for future reference!
ReplyDeleteboppiesgirl@gmail.com
I love your quilt - I'm not usually into orange, but think it looks great here.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. Just when I thought nothing new to see with the ruler. Thanks
ReplyDeletePam
plboner@yahoo.com
I love seeing the Dresden ruler used in nontraditional ways. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love your quilt! The colors, the layout, the quilting - it is all beautiful!
ReplyDeleteVery clever use of the Dresden Ruler! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilt - and the quilting is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteA zig zag with Dresdens???? That is amazing and looks terrific.
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job on the FMQ - I like how you did it only in the negative space. I am eager to get one of these rulers to make my own dresdens. Thanks for another great idea.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is so fun! I really love the colours you used as well as the pattern.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great twist on a classic stair step quilt! Love the vibrant colors.
ReplyDeleteI can't get over how creative everyone has been with their dresden! WOW!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration of using the Dresden ruler to make a pieced block.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I don't own this ruler! I love seeing all the projects everyone is doing using it!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying how many non-circular designs are being shown using this ruler. Your quilt is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you used a Dresden ruler for a definitely non-Dresden quilt - great job!
ReplyDeleteI love how you used the Dresden ruler. This quilt is beautiful. I also love the fabrics you used.
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt,stunning, and the way you do the no circular dresden.
ReplyDeleteAnd here was I thinking dresden plates were circular/curved! Thank you for thinking outside the box!! A great idea!
ReplyDeleteWonderful quilt. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try a Dresden but I like that you guys are showing different ways to use the ruler. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for this ruler at every local store I go to and they don't have it! All these great ideas have given me the dresden bug.
ReplyDeletevery very very great elizabeth! love this quilt!
ReplyDeleteEste é um projeto muito interessante,e sua colcha ficou muito linda.Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAnd yet another way to use the ruler that I never would have thought of ! Your FMQ looks great too!
ReplyDeleteLove it! And those swirls look so awesome. I'll have to give them a try - I have a couple retreat blocks that need finishing. Maybe I'll use that pattern.
ReplyDeleteI have to come up with a dresden plan! Something scrappy I think - to use, you know, all my scraps.
Love it! And those swirls look so awesome. I'll have to give them a try - I have a couple retreat blocks that need finishing. Maybe I'll use that pattern.
ReplyDeleteI have to come up with a dresden plan! Something scrappy I think - to use, you know, all my scraps.
I really like your quilt! And the quilting on it just makes you happy!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love your stairs quilt! There seems to be no end to ways to use this ruler - amazing!
ReplyDeleteloving all these dresden ideas xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThe design is super adorable, and your quilting! WOW! Stunning. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love your quilt! It's so fresh and colorful! I really want this ruler now that I've been following this blog hop -- who knew there were so many different ways to use it?!? Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great idea using the ruler this way. I love this quilt. Awesome job. Thank you for showing us.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the fabrics you chose, and the crisp-white background is a great showcase for your quilting. Such a happy quilt.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love your quilt! The colors and quilting are so great!
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual way to use the ruler, clever you.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is beautiful! I'm loving seeing all the different uses for this one ruler!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try out this ruler esp now that I've seen other options from a traditional plate!
ReplyDeleteWell done :)
Beautiful work, thanks for sharing. I haven't made a tumbler quilt before. To be honest, I didn't realize a desden ruler could be used for tumblers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creative way to use the Dresden ruler. I love the quilting in the white part of the quilt. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBarb@Witsend
Love your design! Never would have thought of stairs. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, loving all the variations :o)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI am IN LOVE with this design, Elizabeth! It would be a great way to use up scraps too. Your FMQ looks incredible.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fresh and fun! I'm so glad to see how everyone is using the same ruler to create their own designs. LOVE yours.
ReplyDeleteI like your quilt. Very easy pattern made with dresden.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt looks amazing! I love your take on the Dresden petal piece. Very unique. The colours are perfect for the summer season =D
ReplyDeleteLast day to enter my giveaway. If you haven't entered already today is your last chance =D
http://ibescheraldine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/official-150th-post-giveaway.html
Fun idea and great quilt. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
ReplyDeleteardreysend(at)hotmail.com
I've never tried dresdens but there is a first time for everything. Thanks for sharing something different you can do if you aren't into circles.
ReplyDeletei've never used a dresden ruler but I am liking the modern designs this challenge is bringing forward and now I'm excited to try. I hope i win one.
ReplyDeletethank you,
Michelle
Wonderful quilt.
ReplyDeleteVery nice :)
ReplyDeleteNow, this is really unique - love the stair steps and maybe one day I can FMQ as well as you do. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletelove the stairsteps! gorgeous colors and fantastic quilting. thanx for showing us this great idea and giving us the chance to win the ruler to make it wwith.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this blog hop and the ideas of what can be done with dresdens! Love your stairs and it looks like this ruler will become a 'must have'!
ReplyDeleteWonderful quilt! Love your creativity when the dresden ruler. YOU did a fantastic job with the quilting swirls - great choice.
ReplyDeletevery strong graphics on this quilt - love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt with an interesting design! I love the pattern!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I really like what you did with the dresdens. The quilt is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWould love to try out this ruler! Great job on your quilt!
ReplyDeleteGreat colors in your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI really love this simple yet eye catching quilt!! And especially the FMQ'ing !!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is lovely and such a novel way to use the Dresden ruler!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! I am also inspired by your free motion quilting. It looks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is fantastic! And such a unique & clever use of the dresden shape, so inspiring. Thanks for sharing your process & for the chance to win the EZ Dresden Ruler.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful, Elizabeth. I love the colours you chose. You did a great job with the FMQ!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun way to use Dresdens! You have such a creative mind. I love your comment about your eyes watering when you were FMQ - I've done that, too!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've used the dresdens in such an unconventional way - so modern and sophisticated!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win :)
The rulers look great. I have seen some excellent quilts made using these Dresden rulers and would love win one so I could try it out.
ReplyDeleteLinda on travjonuk@yahoo.com
Cool quilt and love the quilting you did on it! thanks!
ReplyDeletelove these colors! so summery and gorgeous. i like the line look- that may be what i try for!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I love the stairs and the quilting :-)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this quilt! It's my favorite of the ones I've seen done with it.
ReplyDeleteI would love this ruler as I love dresden plates!
ReplyDeleteI have made one dresden plate with a loaned ruler and I would love to have one of my own!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt!
You dresden stair quilt is wonderful! Love it, love it, love it!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteWow I love what you did with the ruler. So unique and inspiring. Thank you for the chance to win a ruler!
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt design and the colors. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool way to use the ruler! I would never have thought of that! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteNeat quilt! I'd love to win that ruler. :) Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilting on your dresden quilt that doesn't look like a dresden quilt.
ReplyDeleteI am loving this blog hop. You are all so creative.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome giveaway!!! Your swirls in your quilt look terrific!
ReplyDeleteOh my, usually dresden's are done in circles but they look great as squares also. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great quilt! Love that you did something different than a circle. Love this hop and getting to see so many great projects by so many talented folks! Thanks for the inspiration and a great tutorial.
ReplyDeleteThank you and SLMQG for a great giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
very cool pattern on your quilt!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many different looks you n get using this ruler.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is fabulous. Those swirls are amazing.
I love the quilt and the colors are beautiful...I like the FMQ you did, was that on a longarm or traditional sewing machine? It is so interesting to see all of the different ways the quilters are using the dresden ruler...
ReplyDeleteYour quilt seems so fresh and summery! I have saved it in my quilting wish list file. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with the ruler. I love the quilting in the white areas especially. Beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win a ruler!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun and creativity using this ruler !
ReplyDeleteI love the swirls of your FMQ. I'm just starting my adventure, trying FMQ.
Thanks for a chance to win!
Your quilt is so beautiful! I love that it's a different non-traditional Dresden. Thanks for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat application for the Dresden block. I love the imagination
ReplyDeletegorgeous! i love the colors you chose!
ReplyDeleteI like the colours you chose. And I like a lot of the fabrics. I also like the pattern you came up with. The quilting is so wonderful with the pattern. A wonderful quilt!
ReplyDeleteWow I love your modern take on using the Dresden ruler.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful inspirational piece thank you
Wow! I love all these creative ideas to use with the Dresden Ruler! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt looks beautiful... I love the colors combination. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteWow. I never really was a fan of the Dresden plate myself, but your quilt makes me wish for my own Dresden ruler! I never would have thought to use it for something like this!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt! I love the quilting!
ReplyDeleteI've never done anything Dresden. But I do want to one day! I love how versatile they are!
ReplyDeleteI am being so inspired by all the ways to use a dresden ruler!! wow!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love your quilt!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt- really unique!!:)
ReplyDeleteLove the pattern you created! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteDresdens intimidate me, but this ruler gives me hope!
ReplyDeleteReading through the blog hop, I'm beginning to wrap my head around this ruler a little bit more, and understanding all the possibilites with just one ruler. You all have made it so approachable too, so kudos!
ReplyDeleteThere is so much one can do with this ruler. I would love a chance to win. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is stunning!! Wow! I'd love a ruler like this to play around with! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt! And a new ruler? Would make me squee!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I so love the zig zags. I'm working on my own zig zag quilt now, but I never thought to piece it with a Dresden ruler. How smart! Thanks for the giveaway and awesome tutorial!
ReplyDeleteSo super cute. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for branching out with your FMQing, and it's good to hear that you felt it improved as you went along. That's exactly what happens when you keep quilting! I too love to quilt with 50-wt Aurifil. I buy it by the jumbo cones in white, ivory and gray, so I only need to buy again every five years or so. Great stuff. And this is a great giveaway too. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete