Dresdens for dinner



After the (eventual) success of the petal coasters in the last post, I felt ready to up the ante and tackle real dresden plates.  I wanted to make eight and turn them into place mats for dinner time.  I have a lovely set of four mats which I use most days, but I wanted something for when we have people to dinner.  I do also have a larger set of round glass mats for such occasions but the glass is such a harsh thing to put a plate onto.  I always worry I'll crash a plate down to heavily and they're hard for Little Miss to lay out and she does like to help where she can.



So, some pretty, floral and softly padded dresden mats seemed like the perfect answer to me.

After some humming and hawing I eventually decided on sizes and got cutting and stitching until I had eight glorious rings of flowery, fabricy heaven laid out.

This time, I had my plan of action all sorted for sewing them together.  I decided on a softer, more petal-ly curve for the edges.  So I drew myself a little temple and started layering.  First the batting.

Then the dresden.



Then my rather nifty plan for the backing.  I made the backing fabric with a seam across the middle so that I could sew all the way round my petal shapes neatly and still turn the mat the right side round afterwards.

All ready to sew.  A much neater idea than last time, don't you think?

It worked, too.  This is after I turned them inside out and gave them a press, all the curves look nice a smooth and lovely.  Oh yes, I was chuffed with myself at this point I can tell you!

It makes me feel very happy even now, looking at the picture and remembering how pleased I was with how they were looking so far.  I am easily amused, I really am.

So, just the middle circles, some lovely quilting stitches and sew up those nice, easy, straight seams on the back and ta was very much dah-ed!





Umm, scrumptious!  We had a yummy barbeque at the weekend with family where I used the mats and they were much admired.  My dad even asked if I could make a set for him - high praise indeed.  Particularly from my dad, who is not generally known for admiring or noticing the various floral bits of prettiness that it pleases me so much to litter the place with.

It's also been such a joy to have these lovely sunny days lately, I can't get enough of them.  Although I can't say I'm much of a sun worshipper these days.  I tend to prefer the coolness of the shade but it's lovely to just be outside.



I had to take advantage and have a little more alfresco hooky time today.  So relaxing, such a treat.

 And now that I'm all set for dining indoors or out, the barbeque season can begin in earnest.






S x


Update: 1/10/12

Yippee, a Dresden Placemat Tutorial is now available so that you can make your very own mats.  Click here to shoot off that way now....

Comments

  1. Ahhh....more yummy creations Sandra! No wonder your dad wanted you to make him some mats...they are so pretty :-) Love your crochet blanket too!
    Carole x

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  2. Your mats are beautiful. Such lovely work and love the colours. How much better the food will taste.

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  3. Lovely mats...I'd be afraid to get them grubby!

    Amanda :-)

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  4. These are so perfect!! I love making dresdens, but have never made the round top, so I need to give it a try!! Thanks for inspiring!! Have a great day! xo Heather

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  5. So beautiful. The fabrics are so pretty and work so well together and I love your little quilting stitches around the edge.

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  6. Look at that prettiness! I'd love to use one of those but I'd be so scared to spill on one! will they wash up well? Probably - they're just little quilts, right?

    Never tried a Dresden, but you may have just inspired me!

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  7. I am inspired to make some too. They are just so pretty!

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  8. Lovely mats you made it look so simple .................and the beginnings of a beautiful blanket, wonderful

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  9. Fabulous!! Oh and I can't wait to see more of that crochet :-) I am looking to start a new project!!
    Esther.

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  10. Your dresden placemats are so very pretty... lovely choice of fabrics. How did you make the template? I would love to have a go at making some of these. Loved the little coasters you made too. :)

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  11. Wooow your placemats are so pretty I would be scared to use them. :) Can't wait to see more of your crochet!! :)

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  12. Oh wow they are so pretty - love them!!

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  13. Gosh, my eyes have turned from blue to green! Alas, my sewing machine and I are not the best of friends. She felt neglected when the hook and yarn turned up and hasn't forgiven me! I am inspired though to make 'friends' again after seeing your wonderful creations. For now, I'll just have to drool over your posts and hope that one day I might produce something decent!

    Have a beautiful day!

    Vanessa xxx

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  14. Sandra,your mats are sooo nice! Great idea, they really look summery :-) Jolana

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  15. They are gorgeous! We are in the process on deciding on a new kitchen and of course my mind has skipped to the pretty things in the kitchen part, these would be perfect, I might have to attempt some!!

    Alison
    x

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  16. This is sooooo lovely!
    Greetings from South Africa
    Charlien

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  17. They are absolutely gorgeous, perfect for alfresco eating too!
    Victoria xx

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  18. Beautiful Sandra! I can only imagine how gorgeous your table looks when its set for tea!!! S x

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  19. I love your mats almost as much as the adorable coasters. What a lovely idea, amazing fabric choices and they would make super gifts! Great work! (I love that word "chuffed" it's so European to me"

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  20. Well done! The mats are so pretty. I would love a set of these. I am not so keen on the glass ones, they feel all top fragile for my clumsiness! Your china with little birds is lovely too. Lily. xxx

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  21. Precious and Wonderful, kisses :D

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  22. These are just beautiful! Your idea for construction is ingenious! I just bought a dresden ruler, so this may be my first project using it. Thanks for sharing! Linda

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  23. Hello sweet Sandra, I missed your previous post, so I will visit that next! I love your dresden plates! The fabrics you used are gorgeous and so SWEET! I love that you made these into placemats! You are so creative and talented my friend! How clever to make the backing fabric with the seam down the middle for turning, so you can get around all of those lovely curves! Very well done! Oh, they look perfect and so pretty and cheerful! How lovely of your Dad to comment on them! Your plates and flatware are pretty too! So glad you are enjoying sunny weather and barbeque with your dear family. Your crochet looks wonderful! Beautiful post as always sweetie! Love, Paula xo PS~ Thank you for your sweet comment! I am glad you are liking your granny square garland more! :) I do hope your cone flower plant will grow well! Are you putting it in a nice sunny spot? Best of luck with it!

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  24. Your dresdens are simply divine, Sandra! The fabrics are as sweet as sugar and your clever design makes them showstoppers. Love them!

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  25. Oh my they are so beautiful, love the fabrics and the pattern, gorgeous Sandra
    Lol Karen x

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  26. Just lovely Sandra...you are so talented and have great taste !!
    Jacquie x

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  27. They are very beautiful. And I am awestruck by your speed of production.

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  28. Okay ~ the Dresden's take my breath away! And the crochet is doing it for me too! Your color combinations always really speak to my soul :)

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  29. i LOVE your Dresden's. So pretty.
    I have not made any yet but i did buy the template. So hopefully one day i could use it.

    So Pretty. Lovin your blog
    Have a Great Day
    Sherry

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  30. You're such a talented seamstress (is that the right word) I wish I could sew I like you. You make so many beautiful things. Love the colour in the crochet too. xx

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  31. You're such a talented seamstress (is that the right word) I wish I could sew I like you. You make so many beautiful things. Love the colour in the crochet too. xx

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  32. Wow, your Dresden Plates are awesome! A wonderful choice of fabrics. Best wishes, Pj x

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  33. I can't help but keep admiring the beautiful colours of the fabric...they are so beautiful

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  34. these are just darling! I'm a bit intimidated by dresdens, I will admit, but now I am dying to try these!

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  35. Amei, muito lindo
    Parabéns!
    Gladys

    http://tricoperfeito.blogspot.com.br/

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  36. These are so lovely! Your fabric choices are just gorgeous. When you use these on the table, is there room on the mat for both the plate and the silverware?

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