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Instructions: How to sew a Dresden Plate pillow | Freebie

13.08.2017 by Sabine Schmidt

Anleitung: Kissen mit Dresdner Teller nähen | Freebie
In this guide, you'll discover how super simple it is to sew a cushion with a Dresden plate (sometimes also called a Dresdener plate or Dresden plate). Of course, the matching templates are included as a freebie! :)
Today, we're going to look at what you can use it for - and how to appliqué it. In my case, the plate gets a place of honor on a subtle anthracite-mottled cotton fabric with 20% linen content. This background really makes the creamy cream, apricot, and aqua tones of the Dresden plate shine! Instead of such a blend, Chambray fabrics* are also very suitable as a base for the cushion. They are nice and soft, warm, and don't wrinkle as much. When choosing the fabric, you should look for similar qualities so that the plate looks nice and even. I used remnants from patchwork fabric packs* - and Kokka*-fabrics because both are simply very high-quality fabrics that still look good after many washes. Kokka has a small shop* in which I often find real bargains at affordable prices. In this guide , I have already told you how wonderfully simple the classic Dresden plate is to sew. Now I'll show you step by step how you can sew a beautiful cushion with an envelope closure using it. Absolutely suitable for beginners and made in no time! Let's go!

You need the following for the cushion with the Dresden plate (for a 50 x 50 cm cushion)

  • the prepared Dresden plate
  • For the front:
  • 52 x 52 cm fabric
  • For the back:
  • 40 x 52 cm fabric
  • 36 x 52 cm fabric
In addition:
 

Instructions: Sewing a cushion with a Dresden plate

Fold the fabric piece for the front of the cushion once lengthwise and once crosswise so you can mark the center. Also determine the center of the Dresden plate and place it in the center of the fabric.
Cushion with Dresden plate
Cushion with Dresden plate
Secure the Dresden plate with sewing pins and then sew all the way around the edge once with a close-to-the-edge stitch.
Cushion with Dresden plate
When you reach the seam, turn the fabric and then continue sewing to the tip.
Cushion with Dresden plate
Cushion with Dresden plate

How to sew the back of the cushion

Now the two fabric pieces for the back come into play. Prepare both pieces as follows: Sew along the edge that is to face up (i.e., towards the closure) using the overlock stitch on your sewing machine or with an overlocker.
Cushion with Dresden plate
Iron the hemmed edge with steam one centimeter wide. Now you can secure the edge with a decorative stitch from the right side.
Cushion with Dresden plate
Repeat for the second side.
Now pin both back pieces securely right sides together on the front of the cushion. You can see in the picture that the prepared fabric edges form the opening of the envelope closure.
Cushion with Dresden plate
Sew all the way around with the overlocker (or theoverlock stitch on your sewing machine). Done!
Cushion with Dresden plate
Oh, I love it! :) Happy simple sewing, your Sabine Cushion with Dresden plate
 

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

Sew a Dresden plate cushion

The Dresden plate is a classic patchwork block made of 16 narrow wedges. Here's how to sew a 50 x 50 cm cushion with a Dresden plate front.

  1. Step

    Cut the wedges

    Print the pattern and cut 16 wedges from your different fabrics. For a varied look, you can use e.g. 4 fabrics 4 times each.

  2. Step

    Prepare the wedge points

    Fold each wedge right sides together at the wide end and sew this edge closed with approx. 5 mm seam allowance. Turn the point right side out and shape it neatly.

  3. Step

    Join the wedges into a plate

    Place two wedges right sides together at a time and stitch them together along the long side with 5 mm seam allowance. Press the seam allowance open.

    Join all 16 wedges one after another to form the complete plate.

  4. Step

    Appliqué the plate onto the background fabric

    Cut a square from the background fabric (52 x 52 cm). Place the Dresden plate in the centre and pin it all the way round.

    Edgestitch the outer points of the plate onto the background fabric.

  5. Step

    Appliqué the centre circle

    Cut a fabric circle that covers the centre of the plate. Reinforce it with Vlieseline H250 or an interfacing underlay.

    Place the circle in the centre of the plate and edgestitch it in place.

  6. Step

    Sew the cushion back with an envelope closure

    For the back, cut two fabric pieces of 52 x 36 cm each. On one long edge of each, press under 2 cm twice and edgestitch the hem.

    Place the two back pieces on the front so that the hems overlap in the middle. The right sides of the fabric face each other.

  7. Step

    Sew the cushion together

    Pin all four edges and sew the cushion together all the way round with 1 cm seam allowance. Finish the seam allowance with zigzag or overlock.

    Turn the cushion right side out through the envelope closure, push out the corners and press the seams. Stuff a cushion insert inside — done!

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.