Super Sixteen Dresden Plate Block

Published: Tue, 08/01/17

Hi ,

It's the first day of August and time for a new quilt block for the Machine Quilting Block Party! This month we will be stitching up a notch with a beautiful Super Sixteen Dresden Plate Block.
Super Sixteen Block

This block combines 16 curved petals to create a Super Sixteen Dresden plate. Together we'll quilt the block with a beautiful feather wreath, Pebbing, Echoes and Gentle Flames.

I love seeing so many quilters build amazing new skills for machine quilting posted to the Block Party Facebook Group. Just a few days ago Kerry M shared this awesome comment with the group:
Flower Festival
I can't overstate how much I am learning while enjoying this project. Thank you Leah Day for the generous detail in your instructions and videos - you give us the belief that we can not only attempt but achieve something new and beautiful. I have pushed myself to do all the sashings etc and, having laid out the finished blocks so far, now get a real buzz previewing how it will look. As I gain confidence in my ability so do I gain precision with measuring, piecing and FMQ. The variety of members' block colours and adaptations is inspiring and the comments and advices are so generous that the whole journey is a pleasure. 

I was so touched by Kerry's comment! This is exactly why I created the Machine Quilting Block Party and it's such a delight to know we're helping quilters build the skills and confidence to quilt their own quilts.

Kerry has created a gorgeous Flower Festival quilt as well, pictured above.

As this block features a Dresden Plate, our very own Dresden Plate template sets are on sale all month long.

Collage Quilting Collaboration with Laura Coia
Laura Coia Quilt
It's time for a new collaboration, this time with Laura Coia, a fellow YouTube Creator and online sewing and quilting instructor!

A few weeks ago Laura sent me this awesome quilt block filled with funky, free form appliques. She pieced and appliqued the block and shared a helpful tutorial right here.

Now it's my turn to quilt the block and add extra texture to the surface. I admit, I went a little thread crazy on this quilt as I added eight different designs in the border and background.

Click Here to see how I quilted all of these designs in this new quilting tutorial.

Yes, this is pretty crazy. There is a lot going on with this quilt between the busy fabrics, the busy designs, and the intensity of the quilting, but I think it worked for this quilt. Sometimes throwing more thread at a quilt will ruin it, while other times adding an intense quilting design is exactly the right choice.

You can learn more about Laura and see what I'm working on currently in Hello My Quilting Friends Episode 25.​​​​​​​
Trying New Threads on the Grace Qnique
Grace Qnique
Last week Dad and I have several Wonky Christmas Tree Quilts and I'm can't wait to start quilting, but first I want to experiment with a new set of threads.

I've pretty much stuck with my favorite Isacord thread on the Grace Qnique so it's high time I try something new.

Instead of experimenting on a real quilt, however, I've pulled out a practice sandwich so I can make a big mess, take notes, and learn what it takes to use each new thread on the machine.

Click Here to see how I try out each type of thread on the Grace Qnique.

That's it for this week. We hope you enjoy the new Block pattern and the latest quilt collaboration with Laura Coia.

Let's go quilt!

Leah Day