Sharing My Happy Class Plan
Notes to Instructors & Shop Owners:
Each class should begin with an introduction to the "Perfect Tools for Perfect Little Petals" chapter, beginning on p. 9, followed by the "Tiny & Mini Dresden Plate Assembly Techniques" chapter, beginning on p.16. These instructions will give your students the guidance and skills needed to get excited about their perfect little Dresden plates, no matter their skill level.
A Little Dresden Plate storyboard is a great tool that will give customers a better idea of the assembly steps, whether used during class time or set near your Dresden Quilt Workshop books. It will help sell books and classes! This will also give your teacher practice making perfect little Dresden plates. For help with this, feel free to contact Susan R. Marth at SuznQuilts@aol.com.
Class Description:
• All skill levels will enjoy learning little Dresden plate assembly techniques, whether they're new to Dresden plate sewing or not.
• The techniques outlined will ensure perfectly flat plates every time.
• Single-day classes will enable students to construct several finished Tiny Dresden plate blocks, as well as learn the technique of assembling meticulous little half-square triangle strips.
• Multi-day classes will give students more confidence while they hone their skills with an experienced teacher at their side.
• The finished Tiny Dresden plates are so cute that no one will be able to resist making more!
Class Length:
Single day, 6-hour class:
This will give you the opportunity to describe and demonstrate complete Tiny Dresden plate block assembly. Each student should be able to complete more than one Tiny Dresden plate block with confidence. After that, time will also allow to show half-square triangle assembly. One half-square triangle border strip should be completed. Students should then feel confident to complete the quilt.
Two-day class (6 hours each):
Given the opportunity to concentrate solely on the Tiny Dresden plate blocks during the first class, students will gain more confidence in their construction abilities and create more blocks before they leave. They will then finish the remainder of the blocks before returning to class #2, where they will learn how to construct half-square triangle border strips and assemble the quilt top.
Class Supply List:
Required textbook: Dresden Quilt Workshopby Susan R. Marth
All materials listed below:
Background #1: 2/3 yard for purple Dresden plates and sawtooth border
Background #2: 1/3 yard for pink Dresden plates
Pink: 1/3 yard for Dresden petals
Purple: 1/4 yard each of 6 different fabrics for Dresden petals and sawtooth border
Sashing: 1/2 yard Binding: 1/3 yard Backing: 1 ¼ yards Batting: 43˝ × 43˝ Freezer paper
Fabric glue: such as Roxanne Glue-Baste-It
Thread: to match fabrics
That Purple Thang
Mary Ellen’s Best Press: in single-finger pump bottle
Thangles: For 1 1/2˝ finished half-square triangles (recommended)
Templates: Suzn Quilts’ Tiny Dresden Plate Template #216 (highly recommended)
Sewing Machine: with adjustable blind hem stitch recommended.
Paper cutter: 1˝ circle (recommended)
TIP: Use this opportunity to show students the importance of the "Perfect Tools for Perfect Little Petals" chapter, beginning on p. 9. If they don't already own each of these tools, they can read this chapter before class to familiarize themselves with the importance of each tool that will be included in their class instruction.
Classroom Preparation:
Each student will benefit from having their own personal ironing station if possible. This will save time and ensure they're pressing with a hot iron at each step as instructed.
Class Agenda:
1. Become familiar with all tools, p. 9.
2. Tiny Dresden plate assembly techniques, p. 16.
3. Construction of Tiny Dresden plates, p. 24.
4. Check petal sewing accuracy, p. 20.
5. Quilt top assembly, p. 25.
6. Half-square triangle assembly techniques, p. 26.
7. Half-square triangle border and quilt top assembly, p. 26.
8. Binding tips, p. 14.
9. Painless labels, p. 15.
