Monday, September 22, 2025

Dresden Summer Stitch Along Update - Final Weeks - Week 6 and 7!

 Hi,

I have had a fun Summer, stitching along on this project! Thanks to Aurifil, Moda and Susan Ache. Here are my final two embroidered blocks:

Last 2 stitched Susan Ache embroidery designs









I completed 9 Dresden Plates to create a smaller version of the quilt. I also changed the layout a bit from the quilt along, mine is a bit simpler.

I added some light gold fabric for the sashing and plan to add light blue and lavender fabrics for the borders. I had a mini charm pack in my fabric stash that had gold and black prints, and bees on it, which I'm using for cornerstones. I plan to add an additional bit of green ivy print fabric for the outside border. 

Here is a photo of the completed Dresden plates laid out on my guest bed, just before sewing the sashing and corner stones. (The guest bed makes a great place to lay out a design!) I plan to gift this little quilt, I made extra embroidered center so I can make a quilt for our home later, perhaps.

Quilt laid out on bed, before sewing.



















Pressing tips:


I had some difficulty getting some of my pieced Dresden plates to lay flat. Here is how I solved the problem, which was caused by over ironing and steaming too much!

I sewed the wedges together in sections. I very gently finger pressed the seams to one side after stitching each section (no obsessive finger pressing or ironing!). (I sewed 2 wedges together, then sewed those to 2 other sewn wedges, then 4 wedges to 4 wedges, then finally connected all the sections, to complete the plate.)

Then I pressed (not ironed) with NO steam the seam side of the block, then turned it over and pressed (not ironed) the front side (emphasis on NO steam!). The plates came out perfect and laid nicely on my background fabric. 

Here are the links to the final postings for the Stitch Along:

https://auribuzz.com/2025/08/29/dresden-summer-stitch-along-week-6/

https://auribuzz.com/2025/09/12/dresden-summer-stitch-along-the-final-installment/


I hope you have had fun stitching along or will perhaps save the project to create later! I'll share a completed photo once the quilt is done!

Many Blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk


Thursday, September 4, 2025

Dresden Stitch-along update - Week 5 and some canning too!

Hi!

I've really been enjoying stitching along on this project. Here are some photos of my progress for Week 5. I have been busy working on the project and doing some canning a bit too.



Stitched Susan Ache embroidery designs for Dresden centers.





























Appliqued, one completed Dresden block with embroidered center
 (Susan Ache embroidery design).

































My studio time has been interrupted a tiny bit by food preserving. We didn't have as much fruit this year (last year we had tons to share), but we still have enough to put away some. I'm doing mostly canning, as our freezer is currently full of other things!

Here is the latest I've canned - some Fig Jam/Sauce. I used a little bit of honey and molasses in it, the figs already have some sweetness to them. I've also canned Blackberry Jam, Asian Pear Jam, and some Kumquat Jam/Sauce from Kumquats gifted to us by friends (I had them in the freezer). Also managed to freeze a few apples for pie!. It is nice to have some fruit to put away for the months ahead.


Fig Jam in jars.
















Here is the link to this week's Dresden Stitch-a-long. You can still download and save the previous weeks, and stitch whenever you like!

https://auribuzz.com/2025/08/15/dresden-summer-stitch-along-week-5/


I like Susan Ache's embroidery designs very much! Thanks to Moda, Aurifil and Susan Ache for this fun project.


Wishing you a great rest of your Summer!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk