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Dresden Fan Plate tutorial or from circle to octagon!

October 20, 2011 24 Comments

Dresden Fan Plate tutorial- learn to transform a circle block into an octagon then into a square. No applique is required for finishing the block.

Dresden Fan Plate tutorial

I wanted octagons because it is easy to turn them into squares.
My Dresden fan blocks have 24 wedges. I use a 15 degree fan ruler to make them.

An octagon has 8 sides so all I have to do is to turn 3 sides of the dresden block  into 1.
The first step is simple.

Step2  Rotate the block counter clockwise and cut the next 3 sides.

Step 3 (picture below).  Rotate again. This time keep the first side you created aligned with a vertical line of the cutting mat and be sure the new side you are cutting is aligned (parallel) with an horizontal line of the cutting mat. It is easier to place the block with the corners/points that have to be cut on the horizontal line of the cutting mat.
This step is important and you have to keep it in mind while you cut the other sides. It assures 90 degree angles to the final square blocks.

You can see below the vertical and horizontal sides aligned with the lines of the cutting mat.

Repeat until you cut all the sides.
Below is the finished octagon.  Love, love, how it looks and I did not waste too much from the original block.
The sides should be all equal in size. Not all of mine are but the differences are minor, I don’t think I will have problems when joining the blocks.
Now I have to add triangles in the four corners and I will have  a square.

What to do if the Dresden block doesn’t have a number of sides divisible with 8 (the number of sides of an octagon).
Example: 20 wedges Dresden plate block.
Here is what you can do:

Fold the Dresden block in half.  Mark the 2 half points onto the edges.
Fold in half again. Mark the 2 points onto the edges (you have now 4 points).
Fold one more time, you will have now 8 points marked onto your block.  Using the ruler, cut between 2 adjacent points.

Or, you can make a template. Use the same technique described above. Start with a circle and make the octagon. Place it on top of the Dresden block in the position you want and cut around it.

 

I just found  here a calculator for different regular shapes, in case you need it.

I am busy now piecing 16 more Dresden blocks for my quilt.
Happy Sewing!
Geta

———————-
See also:
From octagon to square
Finished quilt

Edited to add:
Complete pattern available, if you want to sew your own version.

 

Dresden-Fan-Plate-Quilt-Pattern-logo

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Filed Under: quilting tutorials Tagged With: dresden fan plate quilt

Comments

  1. Theodora quilts says

    October 20, 2011 at 10:03 am

    very nice and clever !

    Reply
  2. wilma says

    October 20, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Es Interesante y muy bonita la combinación de colores.
    No tengo Blog, siempre la visito. Saludos desde Venezuela.

    Reply
  3. susiloci says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:23 am

    Que maravilla….como quedará al final???????

    Reply
  4. Quiltjane says

    October 20, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Fantastic.

    Reply
  5. Marjorie's Busy Corner says

    October 20, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    Those blocks are beautiful!! I wish I got my centers as perfect as you do…and the colours just jump out at you….can't wait to see it finished Geta…

    Reply
  6. Barb says

    October 20, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    I was just thinking how you make these blocks and everything look so simple…..but If I were to do them, I would be pulling out my hair.

    Reply
  7. Karenkay says

    October 20, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    beautiful Geta!!

    Reply
  8. Vicki W says

    October 20, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    That's going to be a fabulous quilt! I love these blocks.

    Reply
  9. Mihaela says

    October 20, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    You are playing very nice with the geometric shapes!
    Thank you very,very much for the link.Very useful!
    xxxxooooxxxx

    Reply
  10. Staci says

    October 20, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    This is so interesting! I am really need to try this. I love those blocks!

    Reply
  11. Lynn says

    October 20, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    Great idea Geta – love the poke-a-dot fabrics.

    Reply
  12. Marianne says

    October 21, 2011 at 7:08 am

    I`ll try that
    Greetings from Marianne

    Reply
  13. Ivory Spring says

    October 22, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    How clever!

    Reply
  14. Quilting Yai Yai says

    October 23, 2011 at 2:42 am

    Stunning!!
    I love them.
    You are one clever lady!
    Hugs, Deborah

    Reply
  15. jen duncan says

    December 6, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    This is wonderful!

    Reply
  16. Cherry says

    January 2, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Oh my word, this is fabulous! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Sharni Crossett says

    April 17, 2012 at 9:40 am

    From here is Australia…your quilting is beautiful!! I love this quilt and would love to make it one day!!

    Reply
  18. BJ and Amber says

    April 18, 2012 at 11:26 pm

    Just wondering if you can share your method of making the dresdens! I love this quilt and would like to make on similar using your techniques! Please email me if you're able… bjamber(at)xmission(dot)com

    Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Nancy quiltin' momma says

    August 29, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    Brilliant!! Love it love it love it!!

    Reply
  20. Nancy says

    August 29, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Geta,
    Thank you so much for sharing this. I have made many Dresden blocks but never thought to change them. I learn so many new things from your blog posts.

    I also must say that I bought your book while attending the AQS show in Grand Rapids, MI, this past week and cannot wait to try one of the projects. Any chance you might be a teacher at one of the shows?

    Reply
  21. Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet says

    October 20, 2012 at 11:42 am

    Oh I love it! What a great looking block. I have just the fabric for this too, I think. Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  22. diane says

    November 4, 2012 at 3:19 pm

    You never cease to amaze me with your works. Always something new with you and this is one thing I will make.

    Reply
  23. nargis says

    March 13, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    Very clever I love it , Thank you for tutorial.

    Reply
  24. Donna Hardey says

    April 15, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Love this quilt. I am making a similar quilt and have to stitch the small octagon to the center of my block. What have you found to be the easiest way to do that?

    Reply

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