Pineapple Block by Lorrie

 

PINEAPPLE BLOCK

 

The Pineapple block is a variation of the log cabin block. It became popular right after the log cabin and means Friendship and Hospitality. It symbolizes a welcome to guests. It also can have red or yellow centers but the color of the center has less importance. The log cabin usually has four logs where the pineapple has eight logs. The pineapple has straight and/or diagonal rounds.

 

In the past, it was difficult obtaining the precise angles when making the pineapple block. Some would use muslin as a foundation or foundation piecing methods. Now there are special rulers to use that make the process easier. Some of those rulers have specific instructions. There are also patterns that will tell you the exact measurements for each round. There are still foundation/paper piecing patterns too. However, there are other ways to make it without using the speciality rulers.

 

The most important part of pineapple blocks is the contrast of colors; light and dark sides forming X lines with angles making pineapples. The colored blocks can be one color, two colors, batiks, or scrappy. Traditionally, white or cream have been used as a background and now modern quilters will use black or a blue color. Also, a solid color was used as the center and now it can be any color and even a four-patch. Just as you can use any color, you can use any size center square and strips. Usually the formula is center 2 ½ or 3 inches and 1 ½ inches for strips.

 

Simple Pineapple Block (by Karin Hellaby and others)

 

Start with 3” or 5” squares; one light and one dark (sold or print). Draw an X on the wrong side of the light block. With right sides together, sew around the entire squares. Separate the two squares and on only one square, carefully cut along the drawn line up to the sewn line but not through. Press the triangles out. Measure for accuracy of the block and cut a dark square from that measurement. Repeat with drawing an X on the wrong side, place on top of the block (right sides together) and sew around the block. Separate and cut on the lines. Press out and repeat until the size you want.

 

To finish the block, you will need to add triangles to the four corners. The best way to measure is to put the block that is in the shape of a diamond with the tips on the sides of the corner of your cutting mat. The markings on your mat will tell you the size of the block you will need to cut. Cut two square blocks, add a little more so it will be the right size, and cut each in half. Sew the triangles to each corner. If you would rather, you can cut four squares and snowball the corners.

 

Another way is to use two dark fabrics with one light square. Cut each dark square in half and place one half on one corner of the light and the other half on the other corner, right sides together. Sew all around. Draw a line from the one sewn corner to the other sewn corner. cut on the sewn line only cutting the triangle pieces. Press open and continue until the size you want.

 

One more way is to use four dark fabrics on top of a light square. This time you cut the square into four triangles by drawing an X and cutting into fourths.  Place different color triangles on the light square with the tips in the center; barely touching but not overlapping. Pin and sew around the edges. Open and press. Repeat until you obtain the size you want using the left over triangle pieces. This can be chained pieced. Then finish with the triangles in the corners.

 

 

 

 

Pineapple Block Without Exact Measurements/Rulers (MeghanElizabeth Sewing and others)

 

This quilt has 16 ½” blocks and has 30 blocks in the quilt (double bed size). Start with a red middle square of 3 ¼” square and strips 1 ½” as long as possible. You will want the strips to extend beyond the square you are sewing too. Try ½ inch longer. Sew light strips (multi-colored) to opposite sides, press open and then sew on the opposite sides.

This is your first cut. You want it to be ¼” from the point to the edge at a 45 degree angle.  Each point will have a ¼” of fabric beyond the center square. This is what it looks like after cutting two edges. Keep it square as you measure and will be an octagon. See below

 

This is how the block will look. Now add dark strips to the sides. Remember to use strips that extend larger than the block side. Press.

Cut the corners off using a 45 degree angle.

 

Repeat, adding light, then dark until the size you want. This has 7 lights and 6 darks. Tip is to cover the hole that may appear with the strips and cut the hole off. Next is to add a triangle to each corner to make it square. Use the same method as described above under the Simple Pineapple. Done!