Dresden Plate Quilt Guide: Templates, Sizes & 11 Variations to Try
⚡ Quick Answer
- What it is: a Dresden plate is a ring of wedge-shaped “blades” sewn into a circle, finished with a center circle and appliquéd to a background square.
- How many blades: the template angle decides. An 18° wedge makes a 20-blade plate, a 36° wedge makes 10, and a 45° wedge makes 8.
- How big it gets: a finished plate measures about two finished blade lengths plus the open center. Longer blades make a bigger plate.
- Best precuts: 5″ squares give you 2 blades each. 10″ squares give longer blades. 2½″ strips sewn into strip sets make checkered and striped blades.
- Where to start: Jenny’s classic Dresden Plate tutorial uses 1 charm pack and 1 yard of background fabric.
Few quilt blocks command attention like a Dresden Plate. With its sunburst petals and vintage charm, non-quilters usually assume it takes weeks of painstaking work. But here’s the secret: a Dresden is simply a ring of identical wedges sewn side-by-side. If you can use a template and stitch a straight ¼″ seam, you can make one!
This guide covers all the essentials: choosing the right ruler, calculating blade counts and finished sizes, picking the best precuts, and exploring creative spins from Jenny and the Missouri Star team (including checkered plates and Thanksgiving turkeys!). Ready to dive in? Start with our step-by-step Dresden Plate block tutorial, then come back here when you're ready to explore more variations.
Key Takeaways
- ➤The angle sets the blade count. Divide 360 by the template angle. That’s how many blades close the circle, and it isn’t something you can change by cutting differently.
- ➤Blade length sets the size. Cut longer wedges from the same template and you get a bigger plate with the same number of blades.
- ➤Your ¼″ seam matters 20 times over. A seam that’s a little too wide or too narrow repeats at every join. That’s why some plates cup up or leave a gap.
- ➤Precuts do the measuring for you. The Missouri Star Large template has lines for 5″ and 10″ squares, so charm packs and layer cakes cut cleanly with no waste.
- ➤The center can be appliquéd, fused or skipped. Double Wide Dresdens finish their own center, so there’s no circle to appliqué.
The Parts of a Dresden Plate
Every Dresden, from a 9″ mini block to a 27″ wall-hanging medallion, is built from the same four parts. Once you know them, any pattern makes sense at a glance.
- Blades: the wedges. Each one is cut with a Dresden template so it’s narrow at the center and wide at the outside edge.
- Tips: the outer end of each blade. You can fold and stitch them into points, sew them into a rounded curve, or leave them flat.
- Center circle: covers the hole where the narrow ends of the blades meet. Jenny’s classic method gathers fabric around a 3–4″ cardboard circle so the edge turns under neatly.
- Background: the square the plate is appliquéd onto. For blades cut from 5″ squares, Jenny’s classic tutorial uses a background square at least 16″ across.
How Many Blades? The Template Angle Decides
This is the question new Dresden makers ask most, and the answer is simple geometry. A circle is 360°, so the angle printed on your ruler tells you how many blades it takes to close the ring. You can make blades longer or shorter, but you can’t add or remove blades without opening a gap or forcing the plate to ruffle.
| Template angle | Blades in a full plate | The look | Tool at Missouri Star |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° | 20 | The traditional Dresden: lots of narrow blades and a scrappy, busy ring | Easy Dresden Tool (the tool in Jenny’s classic charm pack tutorial) |
| 36° | 10 | Wide, bold blades with a star that forms in the center | Double Wide Dresden Ruler, Four-Patch Double Wide Dresden Template |
| 45° | 8 | Chunky wedges that double as kaleidoscope blocks | Creative Grids 45 Degree Kaleidoscope & Dresden Plate Ruler |
| About 51° | 7 | An unusual, oversized plate on a 12″ finished block | Seven Blade Dresden Plate Template Set |
💡 Pro Tip: Half and quarter Dresdens need no new math. Ten blades of an 18° template make a half circle for a sunrise or a border. Five make a quarter fan that tucks into a block corner.
Dresden Templates Compared
You can cut Dresden blades from a paper wedge, but an acrylic template is faster and keeps every blade identical, which is what makes the plate lie flat. These are the Dresden tools we carry most deeply, and what each one is best at.
| Template | Best precut | What it’s great for |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template | 10″ squares (layer cakes) and 5″ squares | Lines in 1″ steps from 1″ to 9½″, with a 5″ mark for charm packs. It’s the template behind Dresden Blooms, Checkered Dresden, Dresden Coin and Here Comes the Sun. |
| Missouri Star Mini Dresden 2.5″ Template | 2½″ strips and mini charms | Tiny plates for mini quilts, placemats, mug rugs and turkey feathers. It’s the template in the Tiny Dresdens quilt. |
| Easy Dresden Tool | 5″ squares or strips | One ruler that cuts several blade lengths, plus Grandmother’s Fans, tumblers and ice cream cone borders. |
| Double Wide Dresden Ruler | 2½″ strips or 10″ squares | Twice as wide as a standard blade, so you sew 10 wedges instead of 20. There’s no center to appliqué and no raw edges. |
| Four-Patch Double Wide Dresden Template | Four-patch units | Markings line up a four-patch so each blade becomes a pieced diamond. It comes with instructions and the Starburst pattern. |
The Large template is the one makers keep coming back to, mostly because it grows with them:
“The Missouri Star Large Dresden Plate Template is clearly marked no matter the size of dresden you are making. I made a throw sized quilt with 5 inch squares.”
— Cheri, verified buyer
“This template can be used for smaller than the 10 inch squares also. This makes it more versatile!”
— Kathy, verified buyer
And the Double Wide ruler wins people over with its center star:
“You can create a range of plate sizes using strips, solids and 4-patches. Also love that the fans are finished and create an interesting star pattern at the centre.”
— Judith, verified buyer
Dresden Plate Size Chart: How Big Will My Plate Be?
One quilter asked us for a cheat sheet matching blade sizes to finished block sizes—and she’s far from the only one wanting clarity! It all comes down to a simple geometric rule behind every Dresden:
Finished plate width ≈ finished blade length × 2 + the open center.
The blade count stays the same no matter how long you cut, so a 20-blade plate made from 9½″ blades is the same design as one made from 4″ blades, just much bigger. Remember that a pointed tip folds down and a seam takes up the inner end, so a finished blade is always a little shorter than the cut line on your template. Then add a few inches of background all the way around so the plate has room to breathe.
Here’s how that plays out in real Missouri Star projects, taken straight from each pattern’s cutting sheet:
| Project | Template | Fabric | Finished block | Finished quilt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny Dresdens | Mini Dresden 2.5″ (optional) | 1 roll of 2½″ strips + 4 packs of 5″ squares | 9″ | 49″ × 58″ |
| Dresden Blooms | Large Dresden Plate | 1 roll of 2½″ strips + 9 solids | 23½″ | 81½″ × 81½″ |
| Dresden Blooms bonus wall hanging | Large Dresden Plate | 1 yard of solid | 27½″ | 38½″ × 38½″ |
| Checkered Dresden | Large Dresden Plate | 1 roll of 2½″ strips | — | 79″ × 79″ |
| Seven Blade Dresden Plate Template Set | Seven Blade set | Your choice | 12″ | — |
💡 Pro Tip: Before you cut a whole pack, sew two or three test blades and lay them on your background. You’ll see the scale right away, and you can switch to a longer or shorter line on the template while it’s still cheap to change your mind.
Which Precut Makes Which Dresden?
Missouri Star’s Dresden tutorials are built around precuts, because a precut is already cut to the width a blade needs. Pick the precut first and the rest of the plan follows.
| Precut | How it becomes blades | Try it in |
|---|---|---|
| 5″ squares (charm packs) | Two blades per square. 10 squares make one 20-blade plate, so one 42-square pack makes 4 plates. | Classic Dresden Plate, Dresden Turkey |
| 10″ squares (layer cakes) | Long blades for big medallions, cut on the Large template’s 10″ line | Dresden Coin, Dresdens Squared, Dresden Tree Skirt |
| 2½″ strips (jelly rolls) | Sew strips into strip sets, then cut blades from the set for checkered or striped blades | Checkered Dresden, Dresden Blooms |
| 2½″ squares (mini charms) | One small blade per square with the Mini Dresden template | Tiny Dresdens |
Pointed, Rounded or Flat: Choosing Your Blade Tips
Pointed tips
This is the classic look and the one Jenny teaches first. Fold the wide end of each blade in half, right sides together, stitch straight across the top, then turn it right side out and press with the seam centered. In her words, “What you end up with is this beautiful little pointed top!” The full method is in our Dresden Plate block tutorial.
Rounded tips
Rounded blades give a softer, petal-like plate. They take an extra step, because each curve has to be turned under or faced so it stays smooth. Save them for your second or third plate.
Flat or raw-edge tips
Leave the outer edge straight and let the appliqué stitch finish it. Raw-edge Dresdens are the fastest of all, with a relaxed, cozy look. The Raw Edge Dresden Fans pattern is built around them.
Attaching Your Plate and Center
There are three good ways to get a finished plate onto its background, and Missouri Star tutorials use all of them:
- Hand appliqué: invisible and heirloom-soft. Pin or glue-baste the plate, then stitch around the tips by hand.
- Machine appliqué: a blanket stitch or narrow zigzag around the edge. It’s faster and holds up to washing. Jenny shows both hand stitching and machine appliqué in the Here Comes the Sun tutorial.
- Fusible: a product like Heat N Bond Lite holds the plate or center circle in place before you stitch. Dresden Blooms, Dresden Sunburst and Spring Dresdens all call for it.
For the center circle, Jenny’s trick is a cardboard circle: trace it, cut the fabric about ½″ bigger, run a gathering stitch around the edge, pull it tight around the cardboard and press. Want to skip the circle entirely? A Double Wide Dresden Ruler plate finishes its own center with a star.
Is your Dresden plate cupping or wavering? You’re not alone—it’s one of the most common issues makers bring to our classes and retreats! Try these 3 simple fixes:
Center too tight? Add one or two extra blade wedges to loosen the tension.
Press with care: Press every seam allowance in the same direction (all clockwise or all counter-clockwise).
Let the appliqué do the work: Direct any slight fullness toward the center ring. Once you appliqué your center circle over top, no one will ever know!
💡 Pro Tip: If your plate cups up in the middle or won’t close, check your seam allowance before you blame the template. Twenty seams magnify a tiny difference, so a scant or generous ¼″ is the most common reason a ring comes out too tight or too loose. Sew a test pair, measure it, then adjust.
11 Dresden Variations to Try (With Free Video Tutorials)
Every video tutorial below is completely free to watch! If you prefer printed instructions, several of these designs also offer a written Missouri Star pattern available for purchase so you can keep full cutting guides right at your cutting table.
Classic · 5″ squares
Dresden Plate Quilt
The one to start with. Jenny cuts 2 blades from every charm square and turns the tips into points. Watch the tutorial
Strip sets · 2½″ strips
Checkered Dresden
Strip sets cut on the Large template turn each blade into a little checkerboard. There’s a written Checkered Dresden pattern too, and a full walkthrough on our blog. Watch the tutorial
Strip pieced · 2½″ strips
Dresden Blooms
Strip-pieced blades plus nine solids make giant 23½″ flower blocks. Get the written pattern. Watch the tutorial
Layer cakes
Dresden Coin Quilt
Two layer cakes and the Large template. Jenny’s leftovers became the Dresden Pillow. Watch the tutorial
Layer cakes · fusible
Dresdens Squared
Layer cake Dresdens framed with sashing, with fusible interfacing to help them lie smooth. Watch the tutorial
Layer cakes · two templates
Dresden Sunburst
The Large Dresden template teams up with the Small Simple Wedge for a bright sunburst. Get the written pattern. Watch the tutorial
Dresden fan · 10″ squares
Here Comes the Sun
Lava Batik solids in a Dresden that looks like a rising sun. Jenny shows hand and machine appliqué. Watch the tutorial
Double Wide · 2½″ strips
Beach Ball Dresden
Barb and Mary of Me and My Sister Designs teach Jenny the Double Wide ruler. Ten blades and a star center. Watch the tutorial
Mini · Triple Play
Tiny Dresdens + 2 more
Jenny, Misty and Natalie each make a Dresden, including Tiny Dresdens on 9″ blocks. Get the Tiny Dresdens pattern. Watch the tutorial
Seasonal · charm pack
Dresden Turkey
Dresden blades become turkey feathers in this Thanksgiving favorite, made with the Easy Dresden tool and a charm pack. Watch the tutorial
Holiday · 10″ squares
Dresden Christmas Tree Skirt
Courtenay Hughes makes a Dresden tree skirt from 10″ squares. Swap the fabrics to match any décor, from primitive to elegant. Watch the tutorial
Related Articles
- ➤ Dresden Plate Quilt Block Tutorial: Jenny Doan’s Classic Charm Pack Method
- ➤ Checkered Dresden Quilt Tutorial: Jenny Doan’s Easy Strip-Pieced Design
- ➤ Double Wide Dresden Patterns & Templates
Dresden Plate FAQ
What is a Dresden plate quilt block?
It’s a circle of wedge-shaped blades sewn side by side, finished with a center circle and appliquéd onto a background square. The name comes from the decorative porcelain plates made in Dresden, Germany, and the block was especially popular in the 1920s and 1930s.
How many blades are in a Dresden plate?
A traditional Dresden has 20 blades, which is what an 18° template makes. A 36° Double Wide ruler makes 10 blades, and a 45° ruler makes 8. Divide 360 by your template’s angle to find the count.
How do I make a bigger or smaller Dresden plate?
Keep the same template and cut your blades longer or shorter. A finished plate is about two finished blade lengths plus the open center. The Missouri Star Large template has cutting lines from 1″ to 9½″ so you can pick your size.
Can I make a Dresden plate with a charm pack?
Yes. Each 5″ square makes 2 blades, so 10 squares make one 20-blade plate and a 42-square charm pack makes 4 plates. Jenny’s classic Dresden Plate tutorial shows the whole method.
Why won’t my Dresden plate lie flat?
The most common reason is the seam allowance. A seam a little wider or narrower than ¼″ repeats at every join, so the ring ends up too tight (it cups) or too loose (it ruffles or leaves a gap). Sew a test pair and measure before you sew the whole plate.
Do I have to appliqué the center?
Not with every method. Classic plates need a center circle to cover the raw ends, but the Double Wide Dresden ruler creates a finished star in the middle with no center appliqué and no raw edges.