Amy’s “B” for Bobby
This Dresden Plate Tie Quilt was made for Amy in honor of her husband Bobby. She wanted the center display to replicate a “B” for Bobby. It is a bed-sized quilt which she sleeps under every night. This was the third tie quilt I made using the Dresden Plate pattern that resembled a vine. It has been very popular and some folks have asked how I made it. So I thought I’d lay out the steps for anyone with a basic quilter’s knowledge.
How to Make a Tie Quilt
Keep in mind that this is just one way to do it. There are other ways to make a tie quilt, possibly better ones. I’m happy with this one.
- Open up all the ties you plan to use. Don’t open up the entire tie if you only need a few blades, as this is wasted work. For the tie above I used approximately two-thirds of each tie.
- Iron out all the wrinkles you can easily get rid of. Some are steamed in and will remain there. No problem. These imperfections add to the interest of the quilt.
- I always stabilize each tie, even though some may not need it. Better to err on the side of caution than to have a tie that is too flexible. My choice is Pellon EK-130 as it istabilizes the tie while remaining somewhat flexible rather than stiff as are many stabilizers. (Tip: Buy it only on sale. It’s expensive.)
- After you’ve decided on the size of your template, cut out all the pieces you will need. Expericed quilters know how to get that template from a software program or can make their own. (Tip: Since I applique my blades, I cut off the seam allowance on the pointed end of the template so that the blade isn’t too long. Check it within the block you are using.)
- The best part of making a any Dresden Plate quilt is choosing the colored ties that form each fan. This is where art and eye trumps skill. I select all the groupings at once, arranging them in piles so that I’m not left at the end with bad choices. Finally I sew each fan together, piling them up in groups ready to be glued to a backing block.