Update: This pattern is now available in my pattern shop. Click Drummer Boy Dresdens quilt pattern.

It’s May! Time to gear up for the Drummer Boy Dresden sew-along. I am so excited that many of you are joining me to make this scrapalicious quilt. I’ve been developing a Drummer Boy Dresden pattern as part of my Color Mentor series, which will be ready to release next week! That will give you plenty of time to gather momentum and supplies for our June-July sew-along.

This quilt is amazing for using scraps of different sizes and colors. You can sew it all by machine or mix in some hand-applique to take along on your travels or out to the pool. I’ll be making my version while moving house and continents! So, yes, with a little planning I’m pretty sure anyone can join us, haha. I think it’s going to be a scrappy good summer!

Ok, so when I shared Joy Martin’s quarter dresden quilt last month, many of you asked about scaling up the block size. I’m all for a quilt that comes together a little faster! I started by developing a 7” quarter dresden block, but as soon as I put it on the design wall (below, left), I knew it wouldn’t do.

The 7” block doesn’t have the charm of the original quilt, in my opinion. The chunkier, longer fan blades lose the miniature effect of Joy’s quilt and require larger scrap pieces too. I knew a grid of these larger blocks just wouldn’t have the exciting visual impact of Joy’s quilt, so I switched gears to a 6” block. My next version was a little too leggy (middle), but at last I landed on proportions that totally hit the mark for me (above, right).

This 6” finished block uses scraps as small as 2.5” x 4”, which means the fan blades can also be cut from jelly rolls - whoot! When the blocks are joined together, the quarter circle will look a little smaller. Perfection!

Let me tell you, these are addictive. I’m really eager to get back to slicing and dicing my scraps! I’m not sure if I’m going to try to take all my scraps with me or cut my blades in advance? We shall see. No matter what, it’s going to be an adventure, and I’m glad you’re coming along!

I hope you’ll stop by next week to buy the Drummer Boy Dresden pattern. The pattern includes 5 quilt sizes, from baby to king. I’ll be pacing the sew-along for the throw sized quilt, 60” square. That’s 100 blocks and a nice round number, don’t you think?

Fun, fun, fun!