A Printshop Pineapple Quilt and Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern

The Printshop Pineapple Quilt is finished and I am thrilled with how it turned out! I love the Printshop fabric collection by Alexia Abegg so I wasn't worried about how these fabrics would all play together, and the soft grey background fabric complements all the colors and prints beautifully. I was more concerned about sewing the Pineapple Blocks together with the many seams that needed matching however the accuracy of the paper piecing seems to have taken care of that concern.

I also love how the quilting has become a feature of this quilt. I have quilted edge to edge straight (horizontal and vertical) lines guided by the width of the strips of the Pineapple blocks, which has created an all over grid of lines.  For the first time I have also used Aurifil 28wt thread (the gray spool) for quilting (28wt top thread - 40wt thread in the bobbin), and my sewing machine seems to like it. This is a heavier weight thread which makes the stitches stand out and add another point of interest.

For the back of the quilt I have used my go to Newsprint fabric from the Story collection by Carrie Bloomston. And for the binding I have used a print also from the Printshop collection: Point in Charcoal.

QUILT STATS

Printshop Pineapple Quilt

Finished quilt  measures 48 inches x 48 inches.

64 foundation paper pieced Pineapple Blocks.

8 rows of 8 blocks.

Each finished Pineapple block measures 6 inches x 6 inches.

1600 patchwork pieces.
Printed fabric: Printshop collection by Alexia Abegg.
Solid fabric: Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Ash.

Low loft cotton batting ~ 

Warm & Natural batting from The Warm Company;

I have made the foundation paper piecing pattern for this block available as a PDF file - ready to download - from my Pattern Store.  The download is for a three page PDF file and includes:

• 6 inch finished Printshop Pineapple Block Foundation (as used for this quilt).
• 7 inch finished  Printshop Pineapple Block Foundation should you wish to make a larger size block.
• A black/white line drawing of the quilt (64 blocks) which will allow you to color in and experiment with colors and color placement.

Print only page 1 (for 6" block) or only page 2 (for 7" block) of the pdf file to print multiple copies of the foundation pattern.

Printshop Pineapple Block Foundation
 Paper Piecing Pattern: RPQ Pattern Store.

The download pattern does NOT include any paper piecing or assembly instructions - general paper piecing knowledge is a prerequisite. These basic instructions will assist you in successfully completing this project.

• The "pineapple" effect is created by alternating printed fabric with solid fabric.
• Cut 2 5/8" inch squares for the center of the blocks - use a small dab of water soluble glue to adhere it to paper. This is your starting point.
• Cut fabric pieces larger than required.  Cut long strips of fabric 1.5 inches wide and then cross cut the fabric strips as required. 
• Cut 4 inch squares and cut once diagonally for the corner triangles. This will ensure that the edges of your blocks are all on-grain.

Reduce the length of your stitches. This will make removal of the foundation paper a breeze and keeps your seams intact after the paper has been removed.
Don't remove your papers until after you have joined your blocks together.
Print your foundation pattern ACTUAL SIZE.  Do not reduce or scale to fit.

Please note the cutting instructions are for a 6" finished size block.

Foundation paper piecing looks ways more intimidating than what it really is. It is time consuming but always well worth the effort. I hope you'll give it a go!

The finished quilt itself is for sale and is listed in my Etsy Store.

See all the listing details here: Modern Patchwork Quilt.

Thank you for stopping by and for scrolling through the many photos!
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store
Printshop Pineapple Quilt - Work in Progress
Sunday Stash #341 Printshop by Alexia Abegg

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

A Printshop Pineapple Quilt - Work in Progress

Printshop Pineapple Quilt
Click on any image for a larger view.

The Pineapple Block is one of my favorite traditional patchwork blocks and this week I have combined the Pineapple Block with one of my preferred piecing techniques - foundation paper piecing. I really enjoy the repetitive process that is foundation paper piecing - cut, sew, press, trim, and repeat - as well as the accuracy of this technique.

Mind you it was a slow process, even with all the fabrics cut and ready to go, the cutting mat and ironing board pulled right alongside my sewing machine, it seemed to take forever. I tackled two blocks at a time, became better at managing the process, and progress was made one seam at a time.

QUILT STATS

Printshop Pineapple Quilt

Quilt top measures 48 inches x 48 inches.

64 Pineapple blocks.

8 rows of 8 blocks.

Each finished Pineapple block measures 6 inches x 6 inches.

1600 patchwork pieces.

Pineapple Block drafted in EQ7 (quilt design software).

Most of the printed fabrics used for this quilt top are from the Printshop collection by Alexia Abegg for Cotton + Steel (see more photos of this fabric collection here). I love the contrast of colors in this collection as well as the simplicity of the designs. I think this might be my favorite Cotton + Steel collection released so far. The solid background fabric is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Ash. 

I really am very happy with how the quilt top came together despite moments of overwhelming doubt. Sewing this quilt top together with all of the foundation papers still in was not an easy task and I was left wondering if this would actually work till the very end. Removing the papers took about an hour and it kind of looked like it had been snowing in my sewing space. Fortunately this took place during the early hours of the morning when the house is all quite and no one is around to notice the chaos. Once the papers were removed I could press the quilt top with lots of steam, which made my heart happy. I like to gently gently press/steam my quilt tops!

Now ready for basting and quilting.

Thank you for stopping by,

Rita

EDITED TO ADD:  Printshop Foundation Paper now available from my Pattern Store.

RELEVANT LINKS:

The Finished Printshop Pineapple Quilt

Sunday Stash #341 Printshop by Alexia Abegg

Scrappy Pineapple Quilt - February 2014

Printshop Pineapple Block - Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern available in my Pattern Store.

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

Scrappy Color Wheel Block Quilt

A Finished Quilt.

QUICK QUILT STATS:

12 Color Wheel Blocks.

48 Foundation paper pieced arcs.

384 patchwork pieces.

Each finished Color Wheel Block measures 17" x 17".

The finished quilt measures 51 inches x 68 inches.

Home! Sweet Home! April has been such a crazy busy month with travel, TEACHING CLASSES AT SEWTOPIA, CHICAGO! (the most amazing experience yet in my quilting journey, and I hope to have some photos to share with you soon), long haul flights and now a lingering dose of jet lag.  

It does feel good to be back in my "normal" work space, playing with fabric, sewing and quilting. This quilt top was ready for basting and quilting (see the work in progress blog post here), and is a variation of my Color Wheel Block Pattern. The original Color Wheel Quilt was made using only solid fabric and I really wanted to see this design made with printed fabrics, including a low volume background.

I have quilted this quilt with an overall 2 inch grid of edge to edge intersecting straight lines; first by ditch stitching the vertical and horizontal seam lines, then stitching evenly spaced lines in between using a quilting guide attached to the walking foot.

For the back of the quilt I have used a single fabric from the Cookie Book collection by Kim Kight for Cotton + Steel. This small scale floral print on a pink background is one of my favorite prints from the latest Cotton + Steel fabric release. Needless to say I have yardage on hand and was a perfect match for this quilt top.

Of course I couldn't resist binding the quilt with my signature black and white stripe binding fabric by Timeless Treasures.

This quilt is available for purchase: Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store.

You'll find the listing details here: Scrappy Color Wheel Quilt.

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store
Scrappy Color Wheel Quilt - Work in Progress
Color Wheel Block - TUTORIAL  AND
Color Wheel Block Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern and Templates



COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.

Color Wheel Block Quilt II - A Variation

The week in stitches.

I have had a big week behind the sewing machine with some last minute stitching before I take a break from my sewing machine, and my sewing machine takes a break from me. I am heading to the USA for a holiday and to teach at Sewtopia, and my sewing machine is spending some quality time with a technician. I am sure we will both come back refreshed, inspired, and eager to sew.

In the meantime, and in preparation for this break, I have a number of new projects, including several quilts that I have worked on behind the scenes, giveaways, as well as Sunday Stashes to show you over the next fortnight or so.

This week I have been working on another version of my Color Wheel Block pattern. My first Color Wheel Quilt featured all solid fabrics (see Kona Color Wheel Quilt) so this time I thought it might be interesting to use only printed fabrics.

The arcs of the block are foundation paper pieced and I have alternated two contrasting colors, generally a "dark" fabric and a "light" fabric for each arc, although I didn't strictly apply this rule; provided there was contrast in color/pattern I was happy with my fabric selection. I have used many different quilting cottons (most are small scale prints), from lots of different collections for this quilt, all from my fabric stash. You'll probably recognize many of my fabric favorites!

For the background of the blocks I have used low volume fabrics. What is low volume fabric? I am not big on definitions, and I think it is perfectly acceptable to have your own liberal interpretation of "low volume fabric" rather than work within the constraints of a formal definition. For me, a low volume fabric is a printed fabric that reads as a light or white fabric. It doesn't necessarily have a white or off-white background although that is generally what I gravitate towards when choosing a low volume fabric.

QUICK QUILT STATS:

12 Color Wheel Blocks.

48 Foundation paper pieced arcs.

384 patchwork pieces.

Each finished Color Wheel Block measures 17" x 17".

Quilt top measures 51 inches x  68 inches.

Color Wheel Block Pattern available here:
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store

(You will be sent an email with a secure link to download

 this pattern (pdf file) immediately.)
Pattern is also available from my Etsy Store.

Color Wheel Block Tutorial available HERE.

This quilt top is ready for basting and quilting ... and will be waiting for me upon my return.

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Click on any image for a larger view.

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store
Color Wheel Block Tutorial
The Finished Color Wheel Block Quilt II - A Variation
Kona Color Wheel Quilt



COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission.