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.

The Finished Scrappy Pineapple Quilt

Phew! My Scrappy Pineapple Quilt is finished. This was a lot of work but I have loved every moment of the foundation paper piecing process ~ stitch press fold trim and again and again. I even enjoyed removing the foundations papers in all of its messy glory.

More grid quilting! I really do like the actual grid quilting process - a test of endurance and perseverance, not unlike that of foundation paper piecing. Even more so, I love the texture created by the closely spaced intersecting lines; a texture which is difficult to capture in a photo.

For the back of the quilt I have used a Pearl Bracelet print by Lizzie House, and for the binding I decided to stay with the solid fabric theme and have used Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Pepper for a strong contrast frame.

QUICK FACTS

Scrappy Pineapple Quilt - a traditional quilt block

16 Foundation Paper Pieced blocks

Each block measures 7 inches x 7 inches finished

Solid fabrics are Robert Kaufman Kona Cottons

784 patchwork pieces

The foundation paper piecing pattern for this block is available here:

http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2014/02/scrappy-pineapple-block-and-free.html

My last two quilt projects have both been made using all solid fabrics and as much as I love both these quilts I am ready for some simple fabric play with color and print.

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Scrappy Pineapple Quilt - Work in Progress

Scrappy Pineapple Block and Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern

Last week and the weekend in stitches.

Scrappy Pineapple Quilt - a study in Kona Cottons

After working on the very modern Floating Squares quilt last week my new project could not be any more traditional. The Pineapple Quilt Block dates back to the 1930's and the possible design variations - in size, repeat, and color placement - are endless. The making of this quilt is inspired by Connie's Teeny Tiny Pineapple Project as featured on Bonnie Hunter's blog, simply because I admire the commitment and determination it takes to piece miniature blocks.  My blocks however are not so teeny tiny!

My Scrappy Pineapple Blocks are 7 inches x 7 inches finished and I have chosen to foundation paper piece for accuracy. I have drafted my own foundation pattern for the block using EQ7 - quilt design software - which really is easy to do once you have spent some time playing around with the program. My initial block color arrangement  ~

and then my EQ7 version of the quilt layout:

And so the paper piecing began. Cut, sew, press, trim - I found my sewing rhythm! Around and around it goes. 784 pieces. Up and down from the sewing machine to ironing board, to cutting board. Once I got the hang of it though I was able to sew up to four pieces at a time. The blocks were time consuming, taking more than an hour each to complete, and that is with fabric cut and ready to go.  (The above layout was only for general design purposes only; I did not follow the colors of this layout but instead allowed color placement to be completely random).

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 four page PDF file and includes:

• 7 inch Scrappy Pineapple Block Foundation
• A to scale size of the block in color to assist with fabric/color placement.
• A full color layout of the quilt 
• A black/white line drawing of 16 blocks which will allow you to color in and experiment with colors and color placement.

Print only page 1 of the pdf file to print multiple copies of the foundation pattern.

Scrappy Pineapple Block Foundation Pattern 

ready download from: 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 colored and white fabric (I have used numerous shades of "white' fabric including Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in ivory, snow, cream, and bone). Start in the center at number 1 with a colored fabric square and work you way around in sequence, alternating the colored and white fabrics.
• Cut fabric pieces larger than required.  I cut long strips of fabric 1.5 inches wide and then cross cut the fabric strips as required. Cut a 2 inch square for the center of the block. Cut a 4.5 inch square and cut once diagonally for the corner triangles.
• 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 don't be intimidated by this technique or the apparent complexity of this block. If you have tried the Economy Block Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern you can do totally do this ~ the center of the Pineapple Block is the same, and as your work your way out from the center this block only gets easier.

I am ready for basting and quilting.

Happy Stitching!
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Pattern Store
More Red Pepper Quilts Patterns
The Finished Scrappy Pineapple Quilt