Happy 3.141592653 [Pi] Day!

Today, 3.14.15, is Pi Day. Pi, the Greek letter Π, is the symbol for the mathematical ratio between a circle's circumference and its diameter, or 3.141592653… (carried out to a trillion+ digits past the decimal point). At 26 minutes and 53 seconds after 9 am (or pm), the date and time will represent the first 10 digits of Pi.

Let's celebrate Pi Day looking at the use of circles in quilting and the fiber arts.

"Blue Rhino Moon"

Dresden plate (detail) from "Moon Garden."

Here is my quilt, "Pi E² [Exponentially Embellished]" that you read read about in the post, and its HMQX win in this post.

"Pi E² [Exponentially Embellished]"

Appliqué

Table runner using 5" charm squares by Blank Quilting Corp.

Appliqué quilt.

Fusible appliqué with Peppered Cottons by StudioE Fabrics.

"So Easy Dresden" class

From "Fillers, Spillers and Thrillers" free-motion quilting class.

From "Circle in a Square" reverse appliqué class.

Circles fabric prints

Lining for a zippered purse. Fabrics by Blank Quilting Corp.

Silk screened print on silk.

Mono-print with fabric inks.

Fabric inks in preparation for marbling on fabric.

Quilting designs

Free-motion quilting (back of quilt).

Free-motion quilting.

"Lola" quilting detail.

Free-motion quilting (back detail).

Free-motion quilting.

Trapunto with free-motion machine stippling—pebbles design.

Circular LED lights shine in the centers of these felted flowers.

Felted e-textiles by Geri Forkner.

This fabric bowl is created with a spiral of fabric-covered rope.

Fabric bowl. Striped fabric by Blank Quilting Corp.

Antique quilt

Antique quilt.

Quilting inspiration. Nature is full of circular motifs.

Spiderweb outside my studio.

Piecing Dresden plate blocks

I had a great group of quilters at the "So Easy Dresden" class last weekend. And, let me tell you, these women were nailing that quarter-inch seam! Whoa.

So Easy Dresden class

With sixteen 22.5-degree wedges that have to fit together exactly to form a circle, you have to get that 1/4-inch seam allowance pretty much on-the-money or your plate will not lie flat. They did it… waaaay better than I do when making these blocks.

The class fabric and color combinations were charming, colorful and festive. Students auditioned background and border possibilities. Some of these Dresdens will likely find their way to holiday tables and be used as decorations for the season.

Mary's Dresden

Martha's Dresden

Frances' Dresden

Lisa's Dresden

Judy's Dresden

Brenda's Dresden

My students made excellent progress on their Dresden plates. We discussed options for hand and machine appliqué and tips for quilting this dimension quilt block. This is a perfect small project for practicing free-motion quilting.

"So Easy Dresden" quilting class at Chattanooga Sewing Center
Chattanooga, TN

Very well done, ladies! I can't wait to see your finished projects. Thanks for an enjoyable class.

Easy Dresden class this Saturday

The Dresden Plate quilt block is a classic. Whether you make it with traditional style fabrics, '30s reproduction prints, popular blenders, batiks or even hand-dyed fabrics, the geometric nature of this block lends itself to just about any taste and style.

I'm teaching a "So Easy Dresden" class this Saturday at Chattanooga Sewing Center.

My personal quilting aesthetic tends to employ a bold, bright color palette as you can see by these Dresden examples.

"Sidewalk Surprises" (detail)

My first quilt soiree with this 3D Dresden block, however, was with Blank Quilting Corp's black and white pre-cut strip set paired with Blank's popular Splash blender (I had a Splash fat quarter bundle to pull colors for the Dresden centers).

"Moon Garden" (detail)

This quilt is called "Moon Garden" and you can read about it in this post.

Dresden Star 3-D quilt block.

Isn't this a cool block? Those sharp star points are actually 3-dimensional. It looks complex, but it's really easy. All done by machine—piecing and appliqué. And the petals and points are accurately cut with reusable acrylic templates. I'm telling you… it's "sew" easy.

Wanna try it? I'm teaching a Sew Easy Dresden class this Saturday, November 15, at Chattanooga Sewing Center. Call (423) 899-3664 to see if there are any spaces available. (It was almost full 2 weeks ago.)

How about using a collection of festive prints and whipping up a little tree skirt in time for the holidays? One of my students made this one last year (so, so, sooo cute!). Once you make one Dresden block… you'll want to make 5 more!

Dresden Star tree skirt.

Join me for a fun project this Saturday!

Modern Dresden

"Moon Garden" (detail).

Circular motifs such as flowers and sunbursts are versatile quilt block motifs. The Dresden Plate, a popular pattern in the 1920s and 30s, is one of those patterns that can look graphic and modern or classic and traditional depending on fabric choices.

My quilt, "Moon Garden," shows off a bright, bold and graphic Dresden Plate through the use of black-and-white prints and bright, contemporary fabrics. And... the construction is very easy and fun and all done on the sewing machine.

Want to learn this fun and easy technique?
I'm teaching the "So Easy Dresden" class this Saturday at Pins and Needles Quilt Shop. We'll work on the block in class, and once you see how fast and fun it is, you'll want to make more! (I did!)

"So Easy Dresden" class project.

Here is a full view of Moon Garden. The quilting stats and thread information can be found here. Visit Judy Anne Breneman's web page for history about the versatile Dresden Plate quilt block.

"Moon Garden."
57.5" x 75"

A single Dresden Plate block would make a great pillow. But you can expand your options with multiple blocks to make a beautiful wall hanging or a larger quilt. Will you go modern and graphic or classic and traditional?? I hope to see you in class to find out!