Sunday, June 10, 2012

Dresden Stairs quilt


Welcome to my pit stop of the inspiration tour for the EZ Dresden Challenge, presented by the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild and Simplicity. I am so excited to share my EZ Dresden finish with you today, it feels like it's been eons since I finished a quilt I could blog about!! I'm calling this quilt Dresden Stairs.

Dresden Stairs quilt

The Dresden Plate is a really classic, uber-traditional block and Darlene Zimmerman designed a fantastic ruler for Simplicity called the EZ Dresden ruler.  It's designed for making a dresden plate with petals ranging from as small as 1" tall to as tall as 8", and it can be used in lots of other fun ways.  Did you see Lee's Lifesavers quilt? Or Kati's modern baby quilt? Two very different quilts, both built from the same simple ruler. I'm a full-on ruler geek; I love lots of different quilting rulers and this one is no exception.

stack

From the get-go, I wasn't entirely sure what I was going to do for this project, but I started by pulling some fabrics in a color palette I was excited to work with, and cut a bunch of dresden petals from them. I put the petals up on my design wall and moved them around in several different ways before I came up with the idea of creating a stair-step effect with the petals pieced in a straight line.

IMG_9206rt

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!

IMG_9202rt

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

IMG_9201crop

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:


EZDresden_Logos

117 comments:

  1. Wow, love your quilt. I'm dying to try this ruler...i starred your post for future reference!
    boppiesgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your quilt - I'm not usually into orange, but think it looks great here.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great idea. Just when I thought nothing new to see with the ruler. Thanks
    Pam
    plboner@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love seeing the Dresden ruler used in nontraditional ways. Thanks for the inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! I love your quilt! The colors, the layout, the quilting - it is all beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very clever use of the Dresden Ruler! It's beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your quilt - and the quilting is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. A zig zag with Dresdens???? That is amazing and looks terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You 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.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your quilt is so fun! I really love the colours you used as well as the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a great twist on a classic stair step quilt! Love the vibrant colors.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can't get over how creative everyone has been with their dresden! WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for the inspiration of using the Dresden ruler to make a pieced block.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't know why I don't own this ruler! I love seeing all the projects everyone is doing using it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am enjoying how many non-circular designs are being shown using this ruler. Your quilt is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the way you used a Dresden ruler for a definitely non-Dresden quilt - great job!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love how you used the Dresden ruler. This quilt is beautiful. I also love the fabrics you used.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love your quilt,stunning, and the way you do the no circular dresden.

    ReplyDelete
  19. And here was I thinking dresden plates were circular/curved! Thank you for thinking outside the box!! A great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wonderful quilt. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'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.

    ReplyDelete
  23. very very very great elizabeth! love this quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Este é um projeto muito interessante,e sua colcha ficou muito linda.Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. And yet another way to use the ruler that I never would have thought of ! Your FMQ looks great too!

    ReplyDelete
  26. 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.

    I have to come up with a dresden plan! Something scrappy I think - to use, you know, all my scraps.

    ReplyDelete
  27. 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.

    I have to come up with a dresden plan! Something scrappy I think - to use, you know, all my scraps.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I really like your quilt! And the quilting on it just makes you happy!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love your stairs quilt! There seems to be no end to ways to use this ruler - amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. loving all these dresden ideas xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  31. The design is super adorable, and your quilting! WOW! Stunning. Good for you.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wow, 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.

    ReplyDelete
  33. That's such a great idea using the ruler this way. I love this quilt. Awesome job. Thank you for showing us.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I LOVE the fabrics you chose, and the crisp-white background is a great showcase for your quilting. Such a happy quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh, I love your quilt! The colors and quilting are so great!

    ReplyDelete
  36. What an unusual way to use the ruler, clever you.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your quilt is beautiful! I'm loving seeing all the different uses for this one ruler!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love to try out this ruler esp now that I've seen other options from a traditional plate!
    Well done :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a creative way to use the Dresden ruler. I love the quilting in the white part of the quilt. Thanks for sharing.
    Barb@Witsend

    ReplyDelete
  41. Love your design! Never would have thought of stairs. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Very cool, loving all the variations :o)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great idea, thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am IN LOVE with this design, Elizabeth! It would be a great way to use up scraps too. Your FMQ looks incredible.

    ReplyDelete
  45. This 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.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I like your quilt. Very easy pattern made with dresden.

    ReplyDelete
  47. The quilt looks amazing! I love your take on the Dresden petal piece. Very unique. The colours are perfect for the summer season =D

    Last 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

    ReplyDelete
  48. Fun idea and great quilt. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    ardreysend(at)hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  50. i'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.

    thank you,
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  51. Now, this is really unique - love the stair steps and maybe one day I can FMQ as well as you do. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  52. love 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.

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'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'!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Wonderful quilt! Love your creativity when the dresden ruler. YOU did a fantastic job with the quilting swirls - great choice.

    ReplyDelete
  55. very strong graphics on this quilt - love it!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Beautiful quilt with an interesting design! I love the pattern!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Ooh, I really like what you did with the dresdens. The quilt is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Would love to try out this ruler! Great job on your quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I really love this simple yet eye catching quilt!! And especially the FMQ'ing !!

    ReplyDelete
  60. Your quilt is lovely and such a novel way to use the Dresden ruler!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Beautiful quilt! I am also inspired by your free motion quilting. It looks gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Your 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.

    ReplyDelete
  63. It's beautiful, Elizabeth. I love the colours you chose. You did a great job with the FMQ!

    ReplyDelete
  64. What 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!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I love the way you've used the dresdens in such an unconventional way - so modern and sophisticated!

    Thanks for the chance to win :)

    ReplyDelete
  66. 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.
    Linda on travjonuk@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Cool quilt and love the quilting you did on it! thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  68. love these colors! so summery and gorgeous. i like the line look- that may be what i try for!

    ReplyDelete
  69. This is awesome! I love the stairs and the quilting :-)

    ReplyDelete
  70. I absolutely love this quilt! It's my favorite of the ones I've seen done with it.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I would love this ruler as I love dresden plates!

    ReplyDelete
  72. I have made one dresden plate with a loaned ruler and I would love to have one of my own!
    Love your quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  73. You dresden stair quilt is wonderful! Love it, love it, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  74. So beautiful! Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Wow I love what you did with the ruler. So unique and inspiring. Thank you for the chance to win a ruler!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Love your quilt design and the colors. Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  77. What a cool way to use the ruler! I would never have thought of that! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Neat quilt! I'd love to win that ruler. :) Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I love your quilt!!!! I would love this ruler - thank you for the chance!!

    Thank you

    sandyb720 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Love the quilting on your dresden quilt that doesn't look like a dresden quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I am loving this blog hop. You are all so creative.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!! Your swirls in your quilt look terrific!

    ReplyDelete
  83. Oh my, usually dresden's are done in circles but they look great as squares also. Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Such 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.

    Thank you and SLMQG for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  85. very cool pattern on your quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  86. It's amazing how many different looks you n get using this ruler.
    Your quilting is fabulous. Those swirls are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  87. 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...

    ReplyDelete
  88. Your quilt seems so fresh and summery! I have saved it in my quilting wish list file. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  89. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  90. What fun and creativity using this ruler !
    I love the swirls of your FMQ. I'm just starting my adventure, trying FMQ.
    Thanks for a chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Your quilt is so beautiful! I love that it's a different non-traditional Dresden. Thanks for the chance to win

    ReplyDelete
  92. What a neat application for the Dresden block. I love the imagination

    ReplyDelete
  93. gorgeous! i love the colors you chose!

    ReplyDelete
  94. I 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!

    ReplyDelete
  95. Wow I love your modern take on using the Dresden ruler.
    It's a wonderful inspirational piece thank you

    ReplyDelete
  96. Wow! I love all these creative ideas to use with the Dresden Ruler! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Your quilt looks beautiful... I love the colors combination. Thanks for the great giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Wow. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  99. Beautiful quilt! I love the quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  100. I've never done anything Dresden. But I do want to one day! I love how versatile they are!

    ReplyDelete
  101. I am being so inspired by all the ways to use a dresden ruler!! wow!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Beautiful quilt- really unique!!:)

    ReplyDelete
  103. Love the pattern you created! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  104. Dresdens intimidate me, but this ruler gives me hope!

    ReplyDelete
  105. Reading 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!

    ReplyDelete
  106. There is so much one can do with this ruler. I would love a chance to win. Thanks for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Your quilt is stunning!! Wow! I'd love a ruler like this to play around with! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  108. I love this quilt! And a new ruler? Would make me squee!

    ReplyDelete
  109. Oh 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!

    ReplyDelete
  110. So super cute. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  111. Good 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

Thank you for leaving a comment for me! I appreciate each and every one of them and try to respond when time allows. Your comments totally brighten my day :)


Welcome! I'm Elizabeth, mom to a mood teen boy and a chatty six-year-old girl and I sew for my sanity. Let's get to quilting, shall we?
The Epic Sampler BOM Club kicks off Oct 1st
Copyright 2010 by Elizabeth Dackson. Powered by Blogger.

Search This Blog

Archive

Tutorials

 photo Icicle-Star_zps7f032133.gif  photo Boxed-In2_zps800ae9da.gif EasyPeasyFauxZigZag StringHeartBlock StarCrossed CrossMAze CathedralStar RainbowRing DoubleFlip PatchworkWheel FriendshipOctogon FlyingGeese HST Weathervane MarinersStar StackedScrappyBlock ScrappyAngles HolidayPresentBlock DivideandConquer CharlestonFarmhouse ModernHalves ModCircuitry ModNine Kaleido SlicedCoins Kaleido BellaCrossing SweetGirlie MiniBookshelf ClamshellLoop DoubleHourglass BaptistFan TetrisMug StringDiamond ScraptasticTote OffsetDiamonds MunchkinSoftBook PatchworkBathMat