Simple Quarter Dresden Block

Simple Quarter Dresden Block by AQuiltingLife

When it comes time to sew the November Block of the Month for 2025 A Quilting Life, things are so awesome! Designed by Sherri McConnell, is a fun change of pace with a geometric twist that will inspire you to be creative. The November block is a showstopper block, whether you're creating your last sampler layout or want a beautiful standout pattern!

The block is based on a beautiful Quarter Dresden unit as shown in the design layout. This block is an ideal introduction to the technique of Dresden plates if you've always been daunted by them.

The design is unique in many ways. This design is special for many reasons.

A classic tradition of quilting is reimagined in the November block with a few bit of twists.

• Proportionate Blades: The block has slightly thicker blades than a regular plate. This design option lets your favorite fabric prints and focal motifs stand out.

• Quarter-Circle Center: This is a neat alternative to a complete circular center applique to center the inner corner of the unit.

• Size Versatility: Base unit fits perfectly inside a 6.5" x 6.5" background square. It is also a bright spot in the sew-along, for example, the main feature of a bigger log cabin plan.

Smart Construction Tips

This unit can be put together in no time and with great satisfaction. If it's for the best results, go for the freezer paper template technique. Using freezer paper coated in plastic and glued directly to your fabric will give you consistent and accurate cuts, as opposed to using a loose piece of freezer paper, which can cause fabric to shift.

With blades to be pieced, sew right-side to right-side along the wide top edges, with a regular quarter-inch seam allowance. If the blades need to be turned out, cut a small diagonal off the fat folded corner to remove unnecessary bulk. A special point-turning tool can easily remove crisp, sharp tips once turned. If you are using a thin layer of lightweight interfacing for the center of your appliqué as a curve, a thin layer of lightweight interfacing creates a wonderfully flat edge and a little body to your curve, which will lay completely flat on your background fabric. Then you can opt for the machine tacked edges or enjoy traditional hand-applique.

Final Thought

The November 2025 block is a truly unique and special piece of quilting that's both classic and contemporary. It's a very rewarding project and it is done so easily that you may end up quilting an entire quilt with these quarter units! When decorating, feel free to try adding bright colors that stand out, contrasting with the other blades to create a shimmery, fan-like effect!

Full Tutorial: Simple Quarter Dresden Block Free Video Tutorial

Stripped Ease Quilt

Stripped Ease Quilt

Sometimes, it's difficult to discover a new and contemporary design when you have beautiful jelly rolls or a stash of 2-1/2″ strips ready for a new use. This is a fabulous quilt pattern created by Barb Mayfield of APQS Northwest/The Mind's Eye, and it is a new take on traditional strip piecing with a creative pattern.

A design that lets the bright, colorful fabrics stand out is a great way to make them the focal point of the design. The completed quilt will be about 42” x 55”, the perfect size for a cozy lap quilt, a baby quilt or an eye catching modern wall hanging.

Material Requirements

This project has very few and simple requirements when it comes to fabric:

• 20 strips (2-1/2” x WOF): Ideal for a partial roll of a jelly roll or to cut from favorite yardage coordinates.

• Original design uses 1-1/2 yards of background fabric, which is solid black for an accent that really pops and creates a “floating” effect when it comes to bright prints or batiks.

The Clever Design Technique

Barb Mayfield's construction method is unique because it leads the eye. The assembly seems to be hundreds of very small individual blocks that you meticulously measured and cut; yet it is very simple and is easy for a beginner to assemble.

To begin, you will sew your 20 2-1/2" strips together along the long edges with a regular 1/4" seam allowance. Once you've added a 4" background strip to the top and the bottom of this huge strip unit, the magic begins! You use a rotary cutter or slotted strip ruler to cut across the unit to produce strips of different widths; three strips 4 inches, five strips 3 inches, and six strips 2 inches.

You'll create a chop-chop look with these newly cut columns by moving them up and down on your design wall and using crisp 1-1/2" background sashing strips to separate them. The variation of the widths of the columns does not allow the pattern to appear too structured and gives it an organic and modern movement.

Final Thought

The Stripped Ease Quilt is the perfect quilt for those who want to make a fabulous statement with little cutting and piecing! It doesn't matter which colorway you go with—whether bright and colorful or dark and mysterious—all of your quilts will be customized and individual because you'll be using your very own proportions for all of your columns.

Full Pattern: Stripped Ease Quilt Free PDF Pattern 🎁