◌ Washi Double Dresden Wreath ◌

It feels wonderful to have a new version of the Double Dresden Wreath, made using the free tutorial I created a couple of years ago. The original was demonstrated on Sewing Quarter, the samples that hung in the studio stayed there, and I am so happy to now have one for our house. I made this wreath for my December project as an Aurifil Artisan, our challenge was to create a holiday themed project. Perfect for brightening any door or bare looking wall space, the wreath pattern is a merry make! 

My original plan was slightly different but this was one of those projects that naturally evolved and turned out even better than I hoped. The double sided wreath comes together quickly and I took a bit of extra time to stitch some hand embroidery as the added texture gives a fun touch. It's not at all necessary but you notice the extra detail up close.

The fabrics I chose are ones I've kept for something special, the green print is Christmas Wish by Lizzie Mackay for Dashwood Studio and the white print is Washi, Tinsel by Rashida Coleman-Hale. Originally I was going to make the wreath using the many blue Christmas prints I have but somehow it wasn't working and they didn't look good together. When I hit on this white and green combo, with pops of red it made me think of mints and was a winner!

You can use any dresden template or ruler with this pattern to create the dresden plates, I used the Creative Grids 18° Dresden Plate Ruler. Having an acrylic template makes it so simple and much quicker, as you can easily layer and cut the fabric with a rotary cutter. I stitched the plates using 50wt Aurifil - my go to for piecing - it definitely helps with accuracy and reduces the bulk in the seam when turning those points. Dresdens look like they are complicated or tricky but they are surprisingly easy and there are so many options for creating blocks with them. My favourite sewing is often traditional blocks made with modern fabric as it creates a different look.

My initial thought was to machine quilt the dresden plates backed with wadding but I changed my mind. The fabrics I used are quite busy and quilting them could have been a little much. I opted instead to add some embroidery and picked out Aurifloss in natural white #2021, light emerald #2860 and paprika #2270 to coordinate with the fabric. You can buy Aurifloss spools separately or in cute boxed sets, these colours are from the Twinkle Twinkle collection by Alicia Jacobs Dujets. I used all six strands of the floss to add some cross stitches and french knots. The floss glides beautifully through fabric and it's so easy to work with from the wooden spools.

The washi print is such a favourite that the subtle crosses in white simply add some texture. On the green fabric I stitched green crosses and red knots, I like that you can see them but at the same time it blends in because it matches the style of the print. 

If you could see the back then you would certainly know embroidery has been added because it is a proper mess! Well that was a bit lazy but running the thread between stitches is far less time consuming and no one can see the threads once the wreath is stuffed!

Then it was time for construction. Creating the central hole:

Top stitching and messing around creating a lamp shade type effect... oh a dresden lampshade would be fun!!

To give some added strength to the finishing seams I stitched the central and outer seam with Aurifil Forty3 thread. I don't expect the wreath will be handled too much but I wanted the seams to be strong so I could really stuff the wreath without being overly worried they would pop!

As it comes to life it really does change, becoming 3D. The points of the dresdens stand out and are so tactile. Because of the way dresden plates are sewn there are no raw edges and the double layer of points make a nice outer frame on the wreath.

You could even finish it there and have a wreath cushion!

I didn't though and this time I added a golden bow using ribbon I had saved from something. The original version had a fabric bow but this works just as well. I created a large loop wrapping the ribbon twice around the wreath and simply knotted the ends of the ribbon, the bow is made of two smaller cuts of the ribbon tied around the large loop.

It's hanging on the sliding doors to our dining room and the kids have asked that I keep it there because they love looking at it. Quite random but I'm happy to see them appreciate it and for it to bring smiles.

To make your own Double Dresden wreath see the full step by step tutorial HERE. 

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. 
– Peg Bracken

Merry Christmas!