Dresden Plate Pillow Cover

Create a striking focal point for your handmade pillow by using a Dresden Plate. Grab a template and a pack of 5” stackers, and you’re ready to make your own masterpiece.

Image contains a completed Dresden Plate pillow in patriotic colors, labeled for Pinterest.

Table of Contents + show

How to Make a Dresden Plate Pillow Cover

Although this design may look complicated, it’s actually really easy to create a Dresden Plate! Then, once it’s completed, all you have to do is appliqué it onto your pillow front, and add an envelope backing.

Image contains a patriotic dresden plate pillow sitting on a grey chair in front of a shelf filled with bolts of red, white, and blue fabrics.

Materials

1 pack of 5” stackers (or 10-20 5” fabric squares)
1/2 yard (or 1 fat quarter) background fabric (white)
1/2 yard backing fabric
16” pillow form
fusible interfacing
Dresden Plate template
free pattern

Image contains a dresden plate pillow made with red, white, and blue fabrics, sitting on a grey chair in front of a shelf filled with bolts of red, white, and blue fabrics.

download the free pdf pattern here

While you could certainly give your pillow a one-piece backing and stuff it full of Poly-Fil, creating an envelope backing allows you to easily remove the pillow cover. This way, you can use the same pillow form and change the covering seasonally, as well as easily launder the project if it happens to get dirty.

Image contains an envelope pillow back made with blue fabric that contains red, white, and blue patriotic lettering.

Crafting Tips

Another twist on this project is to create the Dresden Plate, then applique it onto the back of a jacket instead of turning it into a pillow.
While I love the patriotic look of my project, yocu can create yours using any combination of your favorite fabrics for a unique effect.

Image contains a pillow decorated with a patriotic Dresden Plate, sitting in front a shelf of patriotic fabrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabric did you use?

I used fabrics from my Oh Say Can You Sew Collection (Andover Fabrics).

Where can I purchase Oh Say Can You Sew fabrics?

Right now, these fabrics are available for stores to preorder, so ask your favorite quilt/fabric shop to talk to their Andover representative and order the collection! It will ship to stores and be available for purchase in early 2026.

More Quilting Projects

If you enjoyed this project, here are some more free patterns and techniques to try!

I’d love to see how your Dresden Plate Pillow Cover, or any of your other projects, turns out. Make sure you’re part of the Amy Latta and Friends Facebook Group so you can share photos of your latest creations and we can all inspire one another. Hope to see you there!