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    Home » Blog » dresden

    Dresden Pillow Tutorial

    May 21, 2013 by Amy 79 Comments


    Today I am sharing a tutorial for a Dresden-inspired circle pillow “poof” using Bari J.’s gorgeous new Bijoux collection for Art Gallery Fabrics. This tutorial will create a 16″ cushion.

    The fabric requirements for this project are:

    •  10 fat quarters (I chose that many because I wanted the variety of prints, but you could use as few or as many as you want.)
    • one regular ¼ of a yard for the pillow side (I used Essential Ovals Elements Mustard)
    • two 6″ squares of solid (I used Pure Elements Honey)
    • pillow stuffing
    • one Dresden wedge ruler

     

    I used the EZ quilt Dresden wedge ruler by Simplicity (an 18 degree wedge) – it’s widely available in the notions department of chain sewing stores, as well as independent quilt shops.  This ruler is available at large chain sewing outlets, as well as lots of independent quilt shops. I’ve used this ruler on projects before including a traditional Dresden block as well as my Peppermint Pinwheels quilt tutorial. This wedge is an 18 degree wedge and requires 20 wedges to complete the circle. (There are other wedge rulers at different widths that will use a different number of wedges to create the circle.)

     

    If you are using 10 different prints, cut a 7″ x 9 ½″ rectangle of each print. Use the Dresden Wedge ruler to cut 4 wedges 7″ long from each print.  You will need a total of 40 wedges for this project.

    Layout wedges to get the color and design placement you want. Match-up wedges into pairs, right sides together, and sew one edge using a scant ¼″ seam. Press seam to one side.

    After sewing pairs together, sew four of the sets into groups of four, and then into two groups of 10 wedges. Sew the final two halves together to create the Dresden circle. Repeat the process to create a coordinating back.

    To create the center circle, trace and cut out a 4″ template. (Cereal box weight cardboard is perfect.) Then cut out a 6″ circle of fabric (it doesn’t have to be a perfect circle).  Run a large basting stitch around the edge of the circle, place the template in the center and gather your fabric around the circle. Press the edges well with the template still in place.  Remove the template and press again. Starch will help you get a nice crisp circle.  Then fold the fabric circle into fourths and lightly press to create lines above.

    Use pressed lines as guides to find the center of the larger pieced circle by lining up pressed lines with the lines of the pieced wedges. There should be 5 wedges between each quadrant of the center circle. Pin circle and sew in place using coordinating thread. Remove pins and press.Repeat with second side.

    Cut and sew a 3 ½″ x 52 ½″ strip for pillow side. Sew strip ends together to create a continuous circle. Fold in half and lightly press to mark 4 equal quadrants on the strip. Using the pressed lines as guides, pin marked quadrants on the strip in place every 5 wedges to keep strip equally distributed. Then carefully pin strip equally all the way around the sides. Sew in place using a ¼″ seam.

    Repeat the process, pinning the back side to the strip and sew edges, leaving a 5″ opening to stuff the pillow. Turn pillow right-sides out and stuff with batting. Hand-stitch opening to finish pillow.

    And there you go! A beautiful pillow, showcasing lots of pretty fabric, and so much simpler than it looks. I’d love to see what you make using this tutorial. Be sure to add it to the AGF Flicker group!

    And finally, some out-takes from the pillow photo-shoot last week before I left. My trusty assistant wanted to show-off his Vanna White skills. They may be goofballs, but they’re MY goofballs and I’m so happy to be home with them.

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    Related

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    Filed Under: dresden, pillow, tutorial

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bev

      May 21, 2013 at 12:12 pm

      Look at that adorable little boy! Thanks for the tutorial! That little boy face just makes the Grammy in me smile and want to give him a cookie!<br /><br />Cheery wave from<br />Bev

      Reply
    2. Samantha

      May 21, 2013 at 12:18 pm

      Love this fabric! Love your pillow and your little boy is so darling too! I follow AGF on FB and their blog.

      Reply
    3. Catrin Lewis

      May 21, 2013 at 12:20 pm

      I&#39;ve slowly fallen in love with this fabric and your pillow just shows it off beautifully! I follow AGF on facebook and follow their blog

      Reply
    4. Mom C

      May 21, 2013 at 12:21 pm

      A pillow would be such a forgiving dresden pattern. So smart and I love Bijoux. I follow by email. Thanks.

      Reply
    5. Paula @ Sewy Stuff

      May 21, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      Thanks for sharing the tutorial. You make it look so easy!

      Reply
    6. Laurel09

      May 21, 2013 at 12:34 pm

      Pretty pillow – you really do make it look easy. Easy enough that I&#39;m thinking I might just try it! I follow both your and AGF&#39;s blogs via google reader (for now)… I am transitioning to a new reader platform with The Old Reader.

      Reply
    7. Julie

      May 21, 2013 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks for the tutee- very clear instructions. The more I see Bijoux, the more I love the colors!

      Reply
    8. Mom2RyandSis

      May 21, 2013 at 1:11 pm

      Great pillow! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

      Reply
    9. Lisa

      May 21, 2013 at 1:15 pm

      Beautiful Pillow, I love that fabric!!

      Reply
    10. Maegan @chezcasa

      May 21, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      I love this fabric! I&#39;m searching out every project I can that uses it because I think it&#39;s so lovely! <br /><br />(I follow AGF on Pinterest and subscribe to their blog… and yours!) 🙂

      Reply
    11. B Greene

      May 21, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      Love this pillow – I really need to get over my Dresden-dread and make something like this project. Thanks for the giveaway chance – I follow AGF in allways possible. Love your blog, too!

      Reply
    12. Susan Owenby

      May 21, 2013 at 2:36 pm

      very cool! Great use of the dresden. I&#39;m working on a quilt with dresdens for the first time ever and so far, so good. Not nearly as scary as I thought. 🙂

      Reply
    13. allierae

      May 21, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      I absolutely LOVE this new line. I think the butterfly prints are my favorite. Great pillow tutorial too – I may just have to make one!

      Reply
    14. Debbie Weishaar

      May 21, 2013 at 3:32 pm

      Thanks for the tutorial to a very lovely pillow. I like the dresden plate look in the pillow and the Bijoux fabric line really makes it pop out. Thanks for the chance to win!

      Reply
    15. memmens

      May 21, 2013 at 3:59 pm

      Lovely pillow and great tutorial – thanks for sharing. I&#39;ve no idea who Vanna White is but your boy looks very cute!<br />I&#39;m an AGF follower – thanks

      Reply
    16. Melissa Corry

      May 21, 2013 at 4:19 pm

      So fun!!! You can always keep it at my house 🙂 And make sure you don&#39;t go abusing the raspberry and mustard, tee hee hee 🙂

      Reply
    17. Karen

      May 21, 2013 at 4:24 pm

      I have a dresden sitting in a drawer somewhere, i know what to do with it now! Thanks for the tute – although finding a cushion insert could be a challenge! :o)

      Reply
    18. Katy Cameron

      May 21, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Hee hee, loving the Vanna White skillz :oD The cushion is so fun too, I think I need more round ones in my life!

      Reply
    19. Linda

      May 21, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      SUCH A NEAT COLLECTION!<br />HAPPY TO FOLLOW YOU+AGF ON BLOG LOVIN&#39;+GFC+FB TOO!<br /><br />msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

      Reply
    20. CitricSugar

      May 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm

      Great tutorial, Amy!

      Reply
    21. Tammy

      May 21, 2013 at 5:07 pm

      I bought this tool a while back to make a dresden block . But haven;t done it yet. This pillow is amazeing. Lov ethe fabrics. They are gorgeous. Thank you for the tutorial on it.

      Reply
    22. Sinta Renee

      May 21, 2013 at 5:11 pm

      I love the Dresden ruler and these projects Amy. It&#39;s a pillow that just needs to be hugged!

      Reply
    23. fenna

      May 21, 2013 at 5:20 pm

      fun project–I may have to get myself a dresden ruler!

      Reply
    24. spolgarquilts

      May 21, 2013 at 5:33 pm

      This fabric collection is beautiful!

      Reply
    25. Elaine

      May 21, 2013 at 5:35 pm

      Following All! Love what you do! And, love this fabric! Thanks for the giveaway!<br /><br />satterfieldfamily at sbcglobal dot net

      Reply
    26. giddy99

      May 21, 2013 at 5:48 pm

      Lovely pillow and thanks for the tutorial! The &quot;model&quot; is a keeper, too. 🙂

      Reply
    27. Gina

      May 21, 2013 at 6:25 pm

      Gorgeous pillow ! Gotta make myself one of these soon . Cute model too !

      Reply
      • Gina

        May 21, 2013 at 6:28 pm

        Forgot to say I follow AGF on Pinterest and subscribe to their blog ! Thanks .

        Reply
    28. Karrie Smith

      May 21, 2013 at 6:26 pm

      Thanks for the awesome tutorial and the chance to win 🙂

      Reply
    29. Heather B

      May 21, 2013 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks for the great tutorial! I need to get me a Dresden ruler pronto! I follow you AGF and FQG! Thanks for the chance to win!<br />mrs(dot)hbraun(at)gmail(dot)com

      Reply
    30. ritainalaska

      May 21, 2013 at 6:50 pm

      that gorgeous bijoux collection make a great pouff pillow! thanx for the great tute over at agf! i follow their blog and fb page.

      Reply
    31. Deborah

      May 21, 2013 at 6:57 pm

      This is brilliant – thanks for a fantastic tutorial 🙂 I follow AGF on FB (Deborah Gunthorpe) and subscribe to their blog.

      Reply
    32. Sarah

      May 21, 2013 at 7:12 pm

      Pretty! I follow on Bloglovin.

      Reply
    33. Darcy

      May 21, 2013 at 7:21 pm

      I have been obsessing over this fabric and this pillow perfectly showcases it! I was wondering what you used as stuffing. Thanks for the chance to win!

      Reply
    34. Amy

      May 21, 2013 at 7:26 pm

      My favorite from that fabric line is the one you show while cutting the wedges. Thanks for the chance to win a whole set!

      Reply
    35. Solange

      May 21, 2013 at 7:40 pm

      What a beautiful line of fabric. It&#39;s gorgeous just all Art Gallery fabrics!<br />Thank you for entering me in the contest.

      Reply
    36. Becky S.

      May 21, 2013 at 8:07 pm

      Super cute pillow!!! Thanks for the great tutorial. I subscribe to the AGF blog and follow them on Twitter.<br />Thanks for the chance to win. Your pillow model is adorable too!

      Reply
    37. Cara

      May 21, 2013 at 8:16 pm

      This fabric line is fantastic! I love the pillow tutorial. I am a beginner and it was easy enough for me to follow along! Thanks for the chance to win!

      Reply
    38. Sandra

      May 21, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      Those fabrics are gorgeous. I am a follower of AGF&#39;s blog via email.<br /><br />syvisser@gmail(dot)com

      Reply
    39. Melissa

      May 21, 2013 at 8:29 pm

      What a gorgeous pillow! Thanks for the great tutorial and the chance to win the fabric to make my own.

      Reply
    40. Addibrae

      May 21, 2013 at 8:46 pm

      I love that pillow. I follow AGF on FB.

      Reply
    41. vicki

      May 21, 2013 at 8:56 pm

      Love the pillow! I follow AGF on FB and email. Thanks for the giveaway and tutorial. vickise at gmail dot com

      Reply
    42. Cindi

      May 21, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      Beautiful pillow! I follow AGF on FB.

      Reply
    43. Happy Cottage Quilter

      May 21, 2013 at 9:57 pm

      Great pillow! I follow AGF.

      Reply
    44. Elena

      May 21, 2013 at 10:01 pm

      Love that fabric. I follow AGF on pinterest.

      Reply
    45. Elena

      May 21, 2013 at 10:02 pm

      Love that fabric. I follow AGF on pinterest.

      Reply
    46. Pinspot

      May 21, 2013 at 10:02 pm

      What a smart way to use a dresden! Would be a perfect pillow for my little girl. I follow AGF on FB, Pinterest, and the blog

      Reply
    47. Tracy

      May 21, 2013 at 10:14 pm

      This is a great idea! I follow AGF on Pinterest. Stunning fabric!

      Reply
    48. diane

      May 21, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      I am crushing hard on these fabrics. I follow AGF on their blog, IG and facebook. Hi AMY!!!

      Reply
    49. factotum-of-arts.com

      May 21, 2013 at 10:30 pm

      Love the cushion. The fabric is one of my favorites :-). I am a subscriber via email of the AGF blog.

      Reply
    50. Michala

      May 21, 2013 at 11:51 pm

      What a brilliant tutorial! I follow Art Gallery Fabrics&#39;s blog and like them<br />On Facebook too.

      Reply
    51. Rachelle

      May 22, 2013 at 12:51 am

      Love that cushion. I follow AGF on their blog, pinterest and FB

      Reply
    52. dpaulson512

      May 22, 2013 at 2:22 am

      LOVE it!!!

      Reply
    53. Siobhán

      May 22, 2013 at 2:59 am

      Your goofball is adorable! 😉 I love your pillow–I need to invest in a dresden ruler! I follow AGF just about everywhere.

      Reply
    54. Sarah_L_N

      May 22, 2013 at 3:59 am

      I&#39;ve never made a dresden before, that ruler looks great! Love how your pillow turned out 🙂 I follow agf on Facebook and subscribe to their blog.

      Reply
    55. Lynn Dix

      May 22, 2013 at 5:46 am

      Great tutorial… and what a super way to use the small fabric collections that we all have – not enough for a quilt but too pretty to break up and use in a scrappy way. I follow AGF on pintrest and the blog. Thanks!

      Reply
    56. Allison C

      May 22, 2013 at 6:34 am

      Great tutorial and awesome cushion! Thanks!

      Reply
    57. knittingispurple

      May 22, 2013 at 6:45 am

      Cool pillow &amp; great fabric choice! I follow on fb &amp; pinterest

      Reply
    58. Fran

      May 22, 2013 at 6:59 am

      Love the pillow &amp; the Bijoux fabrics are so beautiful! Thanks for the great tutorial &amp; for the chance to win (I follow AGF on Twitter).

      Reply
    59. Marcia W.

      May 22, 2013 at 9:14 am

      Thanks for the chance to win some Bijoux fabric — I&#39;ve wanted to make a pouf-y pillow plus have a Dresden on my list for some time. I follow AGF on Pinterest, Liked on FB, and subscribe to their blog. I also follow your blog. alternate email mlwright29(at)hotmail(dot)com

      Reply
    60. barb

      May 22, 2013 at 10:12 am

      Your pillow is incredible!! I follow agf via email babscorbitt@gmail.com

      Reply
    61. Cheryl

      May 22, 2013 at 10:35 am

      I like your pillow! I&#39;ve sewn 2 of these pillows in the past and they were so fun and quick to make. I follow Art Gallery Fabrics on Pinterest and Facebook because I just love their fabric collections.

      Reply
    62. Jess

      May 22, 2013 at 2:17 pm

      What a great pillow!

      Reply
    63. supersara20

      May 22, 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Love this pillow. I think I may need to make one. I follow the Art Gallery blog.

      Reply
    64. Emily

      May 22, 2013 at 6:39 pm

      Lovely cushion! I follow you and Art Gallery on Bloglovin. Thanks!

      Reply
    65. auntreeniequilts

      May 22, 2013 at 6:59 pm

      love the pillow and didn&#39;t even realize you were having a giveaway:) Although would love to win some fabric. Follow you on Bloglovin and will like you on Facebook. thanks!

      Reply
    66. Lisa in Port Hope

      May 22, 2013 at 9:00 pm

      Woo hoo I have that ruler! Thanks for the tutorial, this is gorgeous. I follow AGF on Fb and subscribe to their blog and yours.

      Reply
    67. Phyllis

      May 22, 2013 at 9:56 pm

      I like the pillow! I follow AGF on facebook!

      Reply
    68. Patti

      May 22, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      I love the pillow! I follow on pinterst

      Reply
    69. Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts

      May 22, 2013 at 11:43 pm

      I&#39;m yet to give my EZ Dresden ruler a whirl, I really should soon!<br /><br />I follow AGF everywhere.<br /><br />Thanks!

      Reply
    70. JaneB

      May 22, 2013 at 11:55 pm

      I hopped over here from the Art Gallery Fabrics blog. I follow AGF on twitter and Bloglovin. And Facebook! <br />This pillow is so cute. I really should give it a try. I have a slightly different Dresden ruler but I&#39;m sure I could figure it out. Bijoux is so beautiful. I live the colors.

      Reply
    71. Jodi

      May 23, 2013 at 3:20 am

      I hopped over from Art Gallery Fabrics blog from my Bloglovin&#39; and I also like them on Facebook. I also follow you on Bloglovin&#39; so much loving and following to do &amp; I love it all. Great pattern – thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    72. MellieWo

      May 23, 2013 at 1:18 pm

      I love round pillows and feel there should be more of them in the world 😉 I like how your colors work together. I already follow AGF on FB. Thanks!

      Reply
    73. Marcia W.

      May 23, 2013 at 1:28 pm

      My comments are not posting to your blog or to AGF&#39;s. Here goes another attempt.<br />We follow AGF on Pinterest, liked AGF on FB, and subscribe to AGF&#39;s blog. I follow your blog, and also Pat Bravo&#39;s personal blog.<br />Your pattern is great – I&#39;ve wanted to make a dresden plate and a pouf-y pillow for some time, and here you have a tutorial that does both. Thanks for the chance

      Reply
    74. Montseta - Montsecosecose

      May 23, 2013 at 2:27 pm

      Great tutorial, love Bijoux and your pillow! I already follow AGF in quite a few sites.<br />Terrific giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

      Reply
    75. traceyjay

      May 23, 2013 at 5:14 pm

      it&#39;s very pretty Amy! great tutorial too!<br />It was so nice to meet you this weekend. And I&#39;m an Art Gallery follower. 🙂

      Reply
    76. Julia Ella

      May 23, 2013 at 10:10 pm

      It seems really good. . <br /><a href="https://pandoraslist.com&quot; rel="nofollow">Free american classifieds</a><br /><br />

      Reply
    77. Katarina

      May 24, 2013 at 12:21 am

      I follow them on Facebook. And love your pillow!

      Reply
    78. Swedish Scrapper

      June 05, 2013 at 2:36 pm

      Thanks for the lovely tute! I just finished making an AGF pouf and I&#39;m feeling pretty good about it 😀 fun to sew up and fun to use the ez dresden ruler too. <br />

      Reply

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