Linda Rowe
While there is some evidence of an example of a Dresden Plate quilt dating to the 1700s, it seems Dresden Plate quilt block was inspired by the fan pattern block, which was first noted in the late 1800s. The Dresden Plate appears as four fan blocks put together to make a full circle. The Dresden Plate first became very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It was inspired by beautiful porcelain plates produced in Germany. During the depression, women recycled feed sacks as a source of material for these and other quilt blocks. The Dresden did not require a large amount of colorful fabric to make the block, so it was a perfect way to use pretty fabric scraps. The ends of the petals could be rounded or pointed. Other names for this block include: Grandmother’s Sunburst, Grandmother’s Flower Garden, Friendship Ring, Aster, Dahlia, and Sunflower. Flowers, fruits, and foliage were favored prints for this pattern.
Members of the PebbleCreek Quilters Club submitted quilts ranging from traditional to very modern. Some submitted full-sized quilts and others submitted pillow covers and wall hangings. If you missed seeing the display at the Creative Arts Center and would like to see more photos of these beautiful quilts go to rondajones-pebblecreekquilters.smugmug.com/Yearly-Challenges/2021-Challenge-Photos/2021-Challenge-Photos.