Distinctive Dresdens by Katja Marek

When I saw the cover to Distinctive Dresdens it knocked my socks off and I had to find out more. I learned that Katja Marek is an amazing designer of English Paper Piecing Hexagon quilts and that one of my weekly quilt group friends is in a group making her Millefleur Quilt Along, using patterns from her book The New Hexagon.

Marek has now created twenty-six amazing Dresden Plate variations.

Marek's Dresden Plate variations

The blocks include the traditional wedge shaped pieces and center applique of the Dresden Plate block. But Marek includes a folded insert piece and changes the shape of the center applique. The blocks are of increasing complexity ranging from two to six facets with mixed sized blades.

The book offers six projects including the Paper Lanterns Wall Quilt, seen below. The quilt includes 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-faceted Distinctive Dresden blocks.

Clamoring for More, seen below, uses 5- and 6-faceted Distinctive Dresden blocks.

Other patterns include placemats, a Christmas tree skirt, a table runner, and cushions.

The blocks are complicated with lots of pieces and loads of personality. But don't be intimidated. Marek has provided everything you need for success.

Tools and equipment, from pattern paper and marking tools to needles and thread, are thoroughly discussed. The techniques used in construction are covered in step-by-step instructions with lots of photos and illustrations. For those new to paper piecing, don't despair, because Marek has that covered, too, with photographs to show how to sew the wedges and inserts together by hand and machine. Once the Plates are completed, she shows you how to remove the pattern papers.

Each block has its own full page, color photograph with templates needed and illustrations showing its construction and completion.

The blocks can be used in many ways, including in the projects she offers, each as carefully presented with instructions, illustrations, and photographs.

A note on the e-book version: If you are worried about buying an e-book of quilt patterns, be assured that they are quite wonderful. Links are inserted into the instructions that take you to proper pages for basic instructions and specific patterns, and you can access pattern pages for printing through a link to the Martingale website. Need resources? Links to the websites make finding the right supplies a click away.

I tried my hand at several blocks. This first one has three wedges (the piano keys). It went together very smoothly.

Distinctive Dresden block by me

This second one has four wedges (the music fabric) and the piano key fabric is the piece added for the 3-d effect. I was not as successful with this one.

But not too shabby for a newbie at English paper piecing.

Learn more about Katka Marek at http://www.katjasquiltshoppe.com/

I received a free ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Distinctive Dresdens
Katja Marek
Martingale
Publication Date: September 6th, 2017
$26.99 paperback
ISBN: 9781604688528