Checkered Dresden Quilt Tutorial: Jenny Doan's Easy Strip-Pieced Dresden Plate Design

• 🎨 Jelly Roll or Fabric Strips (2½" strips in assorted prints) — Shop Precuts
• 📐 Dresden Plate Template — Shop Templates & Rulers
• ⬜ Background Fabric (for block squares) — Shop Fabric
• ✂️ Rotary Cutter & Mat — Shop Rotary Cutters
• 🧵 Thread (coordinating) — Shop Thread
• 📌 Pins or Clips — Shop Pins & Clips
• 🧶 Fusible Web or Appliqué Adhesive (optional) — Shop Adhesives
• 🔥 Iron & Pressing Surface

Step 1: Sew Your Strip Sets

Choose four different fabric strips and sew them together from end to end along their long edges using a quarter-inch seam. Jenny's pressing tip is key: "Iron from the top so that your strip set stays its full width." Then flip over and press seams in alternating directions — in, out, in, out — so they'll nest together beautifully when the wedges are assembled. Repeat to make multiple strip sets with different fabric combinations.

Step 2: Cut Dresden Wedges

Here's where the checkered magic begins! Place your Dresden template at the bottom edge of the strip set and cut along both sides. Then flip the template upside down (keeping the bottom edge aligned) and cut the next wedge. Keep alternating — right-side up, upside down — across the entire strip set. Jenny explains: "You're just going to flip your template around, make sure the bottom is still on the edge." This flipping creates wedges where the stripes go in opposite directions.

Step 3: Create the Peaked Tops

To give each Dresden blade its classic pointed top, fold each wedge in half lengthwise (right sides together) and sew a straight line across the top edge with a quarter-inch seam. As Jenny demonstrates: "If you fold it together like this and sew straight across the top, that's going to make the top of your Dresden wedge peak." Turn right-side out and finger press the point. Repeat for all wedges.

Step 4: Arrange and Sew the Dresden Ring

Alternate your wedges — one cut right-side up, the next cut upside down — around in a circle. This alternation creates the stunning checkered stripe effect. You'll typically use about 20 wedges per Dresden plate. Sew the wedges together in pairs along their long edges, then join pairs into quarter sections, then halves, and finally the complete ring.

Step 5: Appliqué to Background Squares

Center each completed Dresden plate on a background fabric square. Pin or use fusible web to hold it in place, then appliqué the outer edges down using a blanket stitch, zigzag, or your preferred method. Don't forget to turn under or cover the raw edges in the center with a circle of coordinating fabric. Press each completed block flat.

Step 6: Assemble Your Quilt Top

Arrange your Dresden blocks in your desired layout — a straight grid is classic, but you can also set them on point for extra drama. Mix up the strip set combinations in each block so the colors dance across the whole quilt. Sew blocks into rows, join the rows, and add borders if you'd like.

Step 7: Quilt and Finish

Layer your quilt top with batting and backing, then quilt as desired. Stitch in the ditch around each Dresden plate, or try free-motion quilting in the background areas to make those Dresdens pop. Bind with a coordinating fabric and your stunning Checkered Dresden quilt is complete!

• Press seams alternating: The in/out pressing pattern on your strip sets ensures wedges nest together seamlessly when sewn.
• Batch your cutting: Cut all your wedges from all strip sets at once, then mix them together in a pile. The more random your selection when building each plate, the better the checkered look.
• Count your wedges: Make sure you have an even number of wedges per plate so the checkered alternation works out perfectly.
• Use contrasting strips: Choose two light and two dark strips per strip set for the most dramatic checkered effect.
• Try different sizes: This technique works with any size Dresden template — try mini Dresdens for table runners or large ones for bed quilts.