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Sunday, April 10, 2011

My Pineapple Mistake and a Personal Challenge

Last fall I was trying to get in a groove to make some pineapple blocks. When I had finished 4 of them, I realized I had a problem. I had added an extra row and two of the blocks were 14" instead of 12". The 2 blocks on the top are wrong, the 2 on the bottom are right. I had lots of suggestions as to what to do with them. They've been sitting in a pile until now. I've finally decided what I want to do with them. The first thing I did was make 2 more pineapple blocks - only these finished at 4"!! I saw these on Victoria's blog and just fell in love.
So now I had 2 - 14" blocks and 2 - 4" blocks.
I have decided to do a program for our Guild in a few months based on this book. I've made many quilts based on this book. I bought this back in the early 90's and it's been a wonderful resource. It has helped me feel more equipped to design my own quilts.
The premise of this book is that you take however many focal blocks you have, decide on a setting and then fill in the rest with 4" blocks from the menu below.
Here are the blocks I chose to use: square in a square, pinwheel, double four patch, 16 patch, flying geese, big triangle and four patch. I just started making blocks from the scraps leftover from my "glow in the dark" pineapple quilt.
So, here's what I have so far. It's kind of growing on me - a lot!!! I'm not sure what size it will finish at, I'll just keep making blocks until it tells me to stop :).
These blocks are really addictive - I'll be back soon with more.

Until next time,

-Karen

14 comments:

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

This looks like a lot of fun. It's turning out really cool, isn't it?

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

That is really cool! Looks like a lot of fun too. Happy stitchin'!

pcflamingo said...

I really like it! And I love the 4" block fillers. I'm working on a big custom project right now and I can put that idea to use right away.

carol fun said...

I love what you are doing with these blocks. I have this book somewhere in my library and I need to dig it out and look at it. This would be a lot of fun to play around with - thanks for the inspiration!

Pokey said...

Oh, I really like the "lemonade quilt" concept. It will be a favorite of yours, all out of a simple mistake. Great work, you'll have to share the finish, Karen!

Carla said...

I like this so much, Karen! Keep going!! Can you add in the 14inch blocks somehow?

Abby and Stephanie said...

You had a very happy accident!

Vivian said...

It's wonderful, Karen. Those two original pineapple "mistakes" just spin and shine in their spots, and all the little ones are great fillers in the spaces around them. You're on a roll, lady.
It's lookin' good!

Janet said...

You're having too much fun, the blocks look fantastic and I really love quilts like this.

QuiltSue said...

That's a clever idea.

antique quilter said...

looks great! I love the way this quilt is coming out.
I think I own that book, will have to pull it out and have a look. I think it would be fun to just make lots of blocks you like and then try to put them into a quilt by adding these fun filler blocks...
keep showing the progess, I am inspired!
Kathie

Ruth said...

I love your pineapple blocks and the one-of-a-kind quilt is a good idea! I might want to get that book. It would be good for making donation quilts out of leftover blocks. BTW, I did go to the cross-stitch shop. Thanks for the info. Also, went to A&E with my JoAnn coupon and got some reproduction fabrics. They have such a great selection!

Becky said...

That's really gonna be an interesting quilt! I love the bright colors.

Darlene said...

I love how your quilt is all coming together. Would have never thought of that - looks like a great book!

The colors are so fun!