Morning Rising Mini Quilt Class: Chapter 5 — Attaching and Quilting the Dresden Plate
Chapter 5 of the Morning Rising Mini Quilt Class is now available, and this is where everything starts coming together.
Up until now, we’ve built the background block, quilted it, and assembled the Dresden plate. In this chapter, we finally bring those pieces together and explore two different methods for attaching and quilting the Dresden.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this chapter is that there really is no wrong choice. Both methods create a beautiful finish. They simply offer different looks and different quilting experiences.
👉 Want to join us? Start the Morning Rising Mini Quilt Class here.
👉 Already enrolled in this class or part of Quilty Club? Your new lessons are waiting in your dashboard.
Happening Now
Morning Rising Mini Quilt Class
A new mini quilt is beginning inside Quilty Class ✂️ Morning Rising features a double-point Dresden plate, straight line quilting, and two different quilting options for finishing your mini.
We’ll begin around May 15 and work through the project together step-by-step as new lessons are released.
If you’re planning to make mini quilts with us throughout the year, Quilty Club is the easiest way to follow along and access each class as we go.
Let’s make quilts…
Option 1: Top Stitching and Straight Line Quilting
In Lesson 13, we use a more traditional approach.
The Dresden plate is positioned on the quilted background and top stitched around the edges to secure it in place. Once the plate is attached, we add stitching in the ditch along the seams between the blades.
This method creates beautiful definition and really emphasizes the shape of the Dresden. The quilting stays clean and structured, and the individual blades stand out nicely against the background.
The biggest tradeoff is that there is quite a bit of stopping and starting as you move from seam to seam. If that does not bother you, this option creates a gorgeous finished result.
Option 2: Free Motion Quilting the Dresden
In Lesson 14, we take a completely different approach.
Instead of top stitching around the edges, the Dresden plate is secured entirely through free motion quilting. I use flowing S-curves across each blade, alternating directions as I move around the plate.
This method allows you to skip the traditional edge stitching altogether while still securing the Dresden beautifully to the quilt.
I ended up loving the movement this creates. The quilting adds texture, softness, and a slightly more modern feel to the finished mini quilt.
It is also a much more continuous quilting process with less stopping and starting along the way.
New Here?
There are lots of ways to quilt alongside me:
- Browse Freebies for free patterns and downloads.
- Explore Quilt Alongs for step-by-step quilting projects.
- Visit Quilty Class for self-paced quilting classes.
- Join Quilty Club for access to every class and monthly project.
No matter where you are in your quilting journey, there’s a place to start.
Choosing the Method That’s Right for You
The fun thing about this chapter is that both options work beautifully.
If you enjoy clean structure and traditional finishes, the top stitched method may be your favorite.
If you enjoy free motion quilting and want to add a little extra texture and movement, the S-curve method might be the perfect fit.
Personally, I love having both options available because every quilt and every quilter is a little different.
Getting Ready for the Finish
By the end of this chapter, the Dresden plate is attached and fully quilted, and the quilt is finally starting to look complete.
In the next and final chapter, we’ll finish the mini quilt and prepare it for hanging.
Things are getting really pretty now 💛
Join the Morning Rising Mini Quilt Class
👉 Want to join us? Start the Morning Rising Mini Quilt Class here.
👉 Already enrolled in this class or part of Quilty Club? Your new lessons are waiting in your dashboard.
Looking for more quilt patterns?
Browse our 8 most popular quilt patterns →
Looking for free quilting tutorials and projects?
You can explore the Southern Charm Quilts Resource Library for free downloads, beginner-friendly quilting help, and printable patterns. I also have a large collection of free quilt alongs available on this site if you’d like to work through a quilt step by step alongside me.
