Monday, June 11, 2012

EZ Dresdens...

Hi! Have you been following the EZ Dresden Blog Hop?  I've been inspired and amazed at all the ideas, and the fun ways to use Darlene Zimmerman's EZ Dresden wedge ruler for some terrific quilts!

I think I am still trying to figure out what makes a quilt "modern", but one of the ways is to take a traditional pattern and use modern fabrics.  Like these great prints that I picked up from Joel Dewberry ~ mostly from his "Ginseng" line:


A local designer, Joel was a featured guest at last year's Sewing Training workshop for 100 or so FCS (Home Ec) and 4-H teachers from around the state of Utah.  He gave a great trunk show of his projects from his book "Sewn Spaces", told us about his background in marketing for his mother Donna Dewberry, and his entry into the world of design.  Love these prints!


I fussy-cut my wedges, using the full 8-1/2" template.  Yes, that's me, the fussy cutter.  Quilting is a happy place for my slight OCD tendencies. Ü  (Too bad it doesn't spill over into other areas, like housekeeping.)

20 wedges to make the dresden plate.


Fold top of the wedge right sides together;

Chain-piece.


Press seams open.


Turn to form a point.


Finger-press to find center.


 Match seam with center line; Press.


Repeat with all 20 wedges.

Lay out and stitch 10 together to form two halves of the Dresden plate, then stitch halves together.  I start by stitching in pairs, chain-piecing again.


Stitch halves together to form the Dresden Plate.


Measure to determine the size of the center circle.

Cut out center circle and prepare to applique' to block.  I added a layer of batting to give a little more dimension.


Center the block on your background, then applique' by machine- or hand-stitching.  Since I planned to finish the applique' right away, I used a glue stick instead of pins to secure.   

I have tried a bunch of different ways to applique', and you can see several of my "I ♥ Applique" tutorials for Riley Blake Designs' Cutting Corners.  Click HERE to see the series.

And here's my Dewberry Dresden.


What constitutes a modern quilt?  Inquiring minds want to know your opinion.  Ü  Leave a comment, and you'll be entered in my drawing for an EZ Dresden ruler of your own.  Probably a few Dewberry FQs too.  I'll announce the winner on Saturday, June 16th.

Meanwhile, be sure to visit the others on the hop.  HERE is the full schedule.  Hope you're feeling inspired!  Now go and quilt something fabulous to enter in the EZ Dresden Quilt Challenge, Sept 1-6. 2012.  You can see all the rules and requirements HERE, along with a recap of our blog hop HERE.  Enjoy!


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97 comments:

  1. Excellent choice of fabrics! Hmmm, what makes a modern quilt? I think it is brighter, colorful, more abstract design - a little take on a classic pattern, but changed up with a little minimalism or a total take on personal impressionism.

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  2. Wow, good question. For the most part I think a modern quilt is made with bright solids, sometimes with an unexpected combination. No flowers, few prints,and a less predictable pattern.

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  3. I love Joel Dewberry and dresdens so this is perfect!!
    Modern quilts for me take traditional blocks and make them with a twist,using the wonderful modern prints or solids
    Thanks for a great giveaway!

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  4. I think modern quilting is a bit hard to define. It is often based on tradition, but with a new twist. I think a quilt looks modern when it combines areas that are colorful and busy with areas that are calm and restful. It is wonderful that quilting spans such a wide range of styles!

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  5. Modern quilting leaves the calicoes behind but it doesn't necessarily leave tradition in the dust. Even with a traditional pattern, as you did, it uses fresh, modern fabrics.

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  6. I'm also still trying to figure out what modern quilting means. Fabrics are one element...I like the Joel Drewberry line. However, I have seen modern quilts made from repurposed fabrics, generally solids, that are stunning. They seem to have liberating techniques such as wonky blocks or curved lines. It's been fun trying to figure out the modern movement.

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  7. Great tutorial and block. I may just have to make a mini Dresden, esp. if I win a ruler.
    Thanks.

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  8. I think modern quilting is a combination of things-modern fabrics, adding a one's personal stamp to a design, and improv piecing. I think it's more than bright fabrics; I've seen many a modern quilt in muted colors but do feel that solids play a big role.

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  9. There's that chain-sewing that I'm forever grateful you taught me all those years ago.

    Hmmm, modern quilting - maybe a little bit of asymmetry, which is hard for an OCD symmetrical gal like me. For example, I loved a certain general RS president, but never learned to appreciate her asymmetrical hair cut =D

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  10. Oh, and I think art quilts would apply.

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  11. You certainly found one way to make a modern quilt out of a traditional block! It's beautiful. I absolutely love your color choices!

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  12. I think modern quilts have a lot to do with the fabric chosen. And not-so-traditional designs based off of traditional patterns.

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  13. I think modern quilts are anything made right now that uses the awesome fabrics that are out! Making older quilt designs and using the new fabrics give it all a modern look and feel!

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  14. I think using bright, modern designers as well as taking a traditional pattern and updating it with a twist. I think that 'wonky' is a part of modern as well. The use of solids as well.

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  15. Thank you for sharing your beautiful Dresden plate quilt. I think defining modern quilting has to not only include the fabric, but also the 'no rules' process that allows more freedom in quilting.

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  16. that choice of fabrics is lovely and would make a wonderful quilt mmmm something to think about

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  17. anything that was traditional - a new twist and fresh look w/ todays fabrics! thanks for the tutorial - your block is awesome!

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  18. The fact that we are all using the Internet as a source of inspiration, shareing ideas, shopping and researching techniques, has to reflect in our work. It broadens our skill set, gets the creative juices flowing and let's us produce art as never before possible. I say "Modern"!

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  19. Wow! The fabric is beautiful, and you make it all look so easy! Can't wait to try one of these rulers because the one I have is not very user friendly! Love the Dresden design!

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  20. Lovely Dresden! I haven't dared to try one so far...

    A modern quilt - at least to me - is defined by two things: 1. the use of fabrics, solids in particular, large prints, comics and other graphic stuff, and 2. the pattern which is quilted onto the fabric.
    Even the most "traditional" pattern turns modern when pieced with solids, few fabrics and quilted in geometrical, rather graphic shapes and not in flowers or feathers.
    BTW, I love and admire feathers, I'm not able to quilt feathers, but they belong to the traditional side to me.

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  21. How pretty! I'm excited to try my own Dresden soon. For me, "modern" is about fabric choice mostly. I think you can do a super traditional pattern using more modern looking fabrics and you've got a modern quilt.

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  22. Those fabrics are just gorgeous! I love that plate.

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  23. i think fabrics have a lot to do with it, as well as color and some amount of free use of negative space. these fabrics are gorgeous!

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  24. Great fabric choices! I'm really loving checking out the gorgeous ideas from this hop...I can't wait to get a ruler!

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  25. Fun fabrics! I really like traditional blocks, your is wonderful. I like the addition of batting for the center.

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  26. I love the fabrics you used.

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  27. I think simplicity is often a characteristic of modern quilts, as shown is frequent use of solids and large scale. It doesn't always work that way, though. I just know modern when I see it. Not very helpful, is it?

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  28. I'm practically drooling over that fabric. It's beautiful. I'm tempted to go buy some today along with the dresden ruler. Guess I'd better try to win some first though. Thanks for the chance.

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  29. That fabric is beautiful! What makes a quilt modern? I don't know that there is just one answer to that question!

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  30. When I think modern quilting, I picture brighter colors and the creation of new quilt blocks or some new twists to the old blocks that have been around for years.

    I LOVE the fabric you've used Deonn. Just beautiful.

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  31. I LOVE the fabric you chose! LOVE! As for "modern" .... I honestly have no clue. I don't think as quilter's have come up with a definition of modern quilting yet, but we have begun to identify characteristics of modern quilts...characteristics include fabric choice, use of negative space, new block designs, varied block sizes in a single quilt, quilting choice. I have no idea, really, but I wish someone would define it clearly for us.

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  32. Love your Dresden...the fabrics are gorgeous! Modern quilting, to me, is a mixture of everything. It gives you permission to make your quilt your way. I love free piecing and organic quilting, the use lots of solids and negative space along with unique often humorous prints. It can be very calming or bright & in your face all at the same time.

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  33. I think a modern quilt has to do with the fabrics - brighter than more traditional quilts. But overall I think quilting is like fashion and it really just repeats itself with a slight variation after a couple of decades! What's old becomes new again...

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  34. This is beautiful, and thanks for sharing.

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  35. When I think modern quilting I tend to thing graphic, saturated colors, and sometimes a little "hey, look at me!" (like with improv or an unexpected pop of color).
    For me, modern quilts almost always make me do a double take. Something about them just grabs my attention, whether it's exciting, unusual and even downright odd. :)
    thanks for the giveaway!

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  36. My take on modern means using more contemporary fabric colors and patterns, rather than traditional ones. Or using a modern quilt/block pattern versus a traditional one. I think it's kinda cool when they are mixed up, i.e.- traditional fabrics with a modern quilt pattern, or contemporary fabrics with an older, traditional quilt pattern (as you did with the Dresden above)

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  37. Looks pretty and modern Deonn! What I wouldn't give for some of that green woodgrain! I love all the woodgrains.

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  38. I think a modern quilt is one where you take something traditional and put your own spin on it. No rules or requirements. Just what looks and feels good to you.

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  39. Seems like every generation names their version of something "new" or "modern". I think it used to be called "hip"? :) I've only just seen the "modern quilt guild" movement. I may not fit in!

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  40. gorgeous fabrics for your dresden! modern blocks? doing things your way. back in the day, would anyone make a dresden on a print background?

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  41. I consider the modern quilts with more white space and more the look of a solid or color blocking feel to the fabric designs. I also think of them as more spontaneous, less structured designs.

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  42. I love, love, love the fabrics you used (I am a huge fan of the designer's mother - she's a great teacher and artist). Such a talented family.

    Anywho - What makes a quilt a "modern quilt"? Modern quilts bend the rules of traditional quilting. Jinny Beyer's quilts, for example, take very traditional paper-piecing to a whole new level because she bends the rules as far as color and shape are concerned. She breaks into a 3rd dimension. Basically, bending the rules of traditional quilting = modern quilting.

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  43. Modern quilts to me are bright colors with a different twist on the traditional blocks or a new variety. Love your dresden and the colors you chose. Thanks for the chance to win the ruler.

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  44. WOW! Lovin' your choice of fabrics for the Dresden, it's really GORGEOUS! As for modern quilts??? I dont' really feel qualified to judge having only taken up quilting in February, lol.

    Judi

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  45. I'm thinking color choices add a lot to modern quilts. I mean, take any typical old school quilt block and do it in aqua with orange or red or grey... doesn't matter the block, it will look modern just by the colors.

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  46. Modern quilts typically have modern contemporary fabrics in them. I think the distinguishing characteristics are strong geometrical lines, usually asymmetrical, absence of sashing / typical blocks, lots of machine quilting, the use of color, and a touch of the unexpected. In your Dresden piece, the unexpected for me was the choice of background fabric. Thanks for a chance to win a ruler -- perhaps for my first dresden project.

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  47. WoW! I love your dresden plate! Gorgeous fabrics. Am I the only one that didn't know Joel's Mom is Donna? I feel kinda silly but now I'm informed. I only started reading blogs less than a year ago and feel I'm just now being introduced to "modern". I'm not sure how to define it either but it's growing on me. Thanks for your tutorial and again your project is awesome!

    Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  48. A modern quilt can be anything you want it to be! I've seen some old quilts that are quite abstract in nature so I'd say that a modern quilt just has a fresher vibe to it than traditional, using colors, patterns, piecing, or technique!

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  49. I think making a quilt modern is using non-traditional fabrics with a traditional block or changing the block so that it looks more up today? Sometimes you don't know it's modern until you finish it!!!
    Barb@Witsend

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  50. I'm no expert on what makes a quilt modern, but I think it's the fresh perspective, using the same old elements in new ways, making an effort on the space usage on a quilt.
    Thank you for a chance at the awesome ruler and for your tutorial!

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  51. To me, modern is clean lines, a pop of color with geometric quilting.

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  52. I think modern quilts start off with fresher and bolder fabrics rather than homespuns and teddy bear prints. The patterns of modern quilts are more abstract and can be traditional with a twist. Love your fabric choices !

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  53. The more I read and see how y'all work your plates helps me with designing and making my first Dresden Plate Quilt piece! I sure hope I win a ruler!
    Thank you for sharing

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  54. Don't you just love to chain stitch? It gives me so much satisfaction. Great fabrics!
    For me, modern usually means a new approach to piecing though sometimes color also comes into play.

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  55. Very nice. I may just have to so something "dresden"

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  56. Oh modern is anything from something completely new in design, to a new twist on traditional( ex traditional pattern with vibrant modern colors,or traditional block altered in some way!)

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  57. To me, modern quilts use brighter colors and often white as a background. I like your Dresden project, thanks for sharing.

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  58. To me, modern quilts use brighter colors and often white as a background. I like your Dresden project, thanks for sharing.

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  59. what constitutes a modern quilt....the fabric, in my opinion, and you certainly proved it by your choice of fabric for this dresden
    block...love the fabric..

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  60. Pretty colors, what makes a modern quilt... colors, lots of white grey, solids, straight lines. For the most part that is.

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  61. Gostei do seu bom gosto,esses tons de verdes me encantam.Obrigada.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com.----Sou BRASIL

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  62. It seems as though there isn't much I could add to explain what a modern quilt is. Everyone has done a good job. I just appreciate everyone's differing styles and taste. it is fun to see the movement evolve. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  63. I would say, fresh pattern on materials, fresh colors and yes, fun! That is my take on what a Modern Quilt is to me. I have yet to make a Dresden. Seeing your tutorial was inspirational. I will have to give it a try. Judith, Texas

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  64. Well, thinking of modern, I think big prints, like the ones you used. I normally don't like them or am scared to use them, because I want the block pattern to show through, not get drowned in prints. However, they worked quite well, and I said "ahh, nice" with the pastel colors and color placements you used. Nice!
    The modern quilts I have seen, use things such as lots of applique scraps to make pictures, assymetry, tons of geometric pieces or rectangles, and either all really subdued colors, or all bright colors.

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  65. I'm definitely not an expert to determine what is a Modern Quilt(ing). I see big shapes and bright colors. I don't see a lot of patterned fabric. I do see very cool quilting on the fabric itself. You just know when you see it ;) THanks for the chance to win! I'd love to make exactly what you did ;)

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  66. Well, I don't know that I can define what constitutes a modern quilt, but for me, it tends to have cleaner lines, less 'frilly' to the look, they have style points. And it feels like there is less do it right vs do it wrong and more, what is your take on how to use this fabric.. so it is a bit freeing.

    Michelle

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  67. Love your Dewberry dresden. Modern quilts seem to have a lot of solids and bright large-print fabrics. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  68. Those fabrics are fantastic!! Thanks for your tutorial, your technique for the points it is genius!

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  69. Your dresden block is beautiful. Modern quilting seems to take a traditional block and use brighter colors or more solids and also often puts a spin on the design to make it different. Many tend to use bigger blocks and some use lots of improvisation. As long as someone is enjoying the process and the product, who cares what it is called!

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  70. Hmmmmm. I think modern quilting means brighter fabric and consistent designs.

    Sandy

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  71. Wow! Love your project....the fabric choices are wonderful! I think what makes a quilt modern is that the maker is taking a traditional craft and making it her (or his) own, perhaps feeling the liberty to change up the fabrics or showing a quirky difference in the way it's made...whatever the real definition is, I love 'em!! Thanks for the chance to win the ruler! I want one so bad! LOL

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  72. I think modern means so many different things. Since I have been quilting a long time and have always liked the brighter fun fabrics now there are so many more choices. It is also great to see young people do this craft which is so rewarding.

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  73. Modern quilts are done in modern color combinations, crisper fabrics, more precise looking. I love your color choice here. I'd like to win one of these rulers. My iron broke and we're broke too, but when I get a new iron I will get quilting.

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  74. Sometime I think that are the bright fabrics and also the blocks designs.But What`s modern or tradicional?

    I`m going to read alll the comments now.

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  75. I think modern quilting is about contemporary fabric choices - often bright, graphic prints with lots of solids, predominantly white - & patterns that are often without borders with blocks that have a traditional feel but used in a way that feels modern. Love your dresden & thanks for the giveaway.

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  76. I think its the fabric. So many of the patterns have been around for so many years with tons of variations. I think the ones I see spiced up with color and color combinations are modern.

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  77. I don't know how to categorize quilts as modern or traditional, but I do know them when I see then. I think a lot has to do with the choice of fabric and use of negative space. Quilts described as modern seem to have a crisper distinction between the background and the pieced or appliqued block.
    Having said that, I recently saw a quilt made in the 30s that could have passed for one of today's Modern quilts.
    I love the fabrics in your Dresden plate block.

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  78. Thank you for the beautiful idea and I love the fabric!

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  79. Great fabric and tutorial. I think modern quilts are all about the juxtaposition of unexpected things like unusual Color combinations or different shapes.

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  80. Modern quilts - constitutes of abstract pattern, use a lot of solid or abstract design fabric with only 2-4 colors combinations.

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  81. definitely modern fabrics in classic or improv patterns!

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  82. Love the fabrics you chose- so pretty! Thanks!

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  83. Love your Dresden. I think of straight lines and big chunks when I think "modern". Thanks for the giveaway!

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  84. For me a modern quilt uses more solid colours, and freestyle designs. I love dresdens they are my favoutite shape for English paper piecing. Thank you for this tutorial and giveaway.
    ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

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  85. Wow! I love the fabric choices. Thanks for the tutorial it is great!!

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  86. I think it's the combinations of solids and print. I feel more solids than a print surely will create a modern feel :)

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  87. Love the fabric combo and the pattern!! Definitely going on my "to do" list. Thanks for the tut.

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  88. Good question --I think a modern quilt is a twisted traditional. It has something new and unexpected.

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  89. I have been pondering the meaning of "modern" quilting too (even as a member of the MQG). I feel that it usually is a more graphic quilt but not always. Let me know if you figure it out. Great giveaway.

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  90. Oh, I love those Joel Dewberry prints! I think both fabric and pattern contribute to modern quilts. Prints that aren't too busy with shapes that are more stylized or geometric. The quilt pattern can be a traditional one as long as there is plenty of uncluttered space for the eye to rest.

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  91. Love your dresden! And the fabric is fabulous! Thanks for a chance to win! :)

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  92. I don't know how i missed your lovely post and dresden piece but wow.....i just ordered. Ruler never having done one in the past or present but i know i will have one in the future lol. Now what i think modern is,.....i don't think anything is Modern because in a week or month or even year we will look at it and think "what were we thinking?" lol
    May i remind you of beehive do's, bell bottoms, padded shoulders, .... Modern is in the eye of the beholder....it's modern because it is new for the moment.

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  93. I don't know how i missed your lovely post and dresden piece but wow.....i just ordered. Ruler never having done one in the past or present but i know i will have one in the future lol. Now what i think modern is,.....i don't think anything is Modern because in a week or month or even year we will look at it and think "what were we thinking?" lol
    May i remind you of beehive do's, bell bottoms, padded shoulders, .... Modern is in the eye of the beholder....it's modern because it is new for the moment.

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  94. Hello Deonn - You've got a lovely Dresden there. On another blog (apologoes to the blogger, I didn't keep a note of your blog for this) I saw a neat idea - fold the bottom edge of the Dresden piece over as well, and stitch, and you've got a "double dresden", and no need for the centre circle. Real quick and easy, and very effective.

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  95. Very nice Mini tutorial. Dresden is on my list of projects this year.

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  96. Love the look! I think modern is a lot about placement of the quilting design on the fabric. Plus color choice. You nailed it!!!

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So happy you stopped by for a visit! Thank you!