Happy New Year friends! I hope you all started the year off healthy and full of hope for a great 2021. My husband and I managed to stay up, or should I say wake up at midnight to give each other a smooch and a Happy New Year wish. There was lots of banging and fireworks sounds going on in my neighborhood, so evidently, others nearby were giving 2020 a big send-off.
The photo above is of my Red Pineapple quilt. What a project that quilt has been. I can't tell you how happy I am to have this quilt finally finished. I started this quilt back in 2013 and used up most of my stash of French General fabrics on hand at the time. Which was a lot. I used a special trimming ruler called The Pineapple Rule, made by Possibilities, which you cannot buy anymore. Trimming the blocks was a horrendous chore, I don't mind telling you. In retrospect, I should have paper pieced these blocks.
I would work on the blocks for a week or so, get totally sick of the process and put the project away. When I was reminded of how spectacular a Pineapple quilt can be, I was prompted to take it out again and work on it for a bit until I couldn't stand it anymore. I would always find myself thinking, I should have paper pieced these blocks.
Despite the supposed precision of the trimming ruler, the white strips along the edges were not all exactly the same length, even though the blocks all came out at 12 1/2" unfinished. Sewing the blocks and rows together was made much more complicated and unpleasant by that issue. I should have paper pieced those blocks.
I made 42 blocks and sewed them into seven rows of six blocks each. 45 pieces in each block for a total of 1890 pieces. It will fit nicely on my queen-sized bed. The best part of the quilt is that I didn't give up and waste all that beautiful French General fabric. However, it will be some time before I ever tackle a large Pineapple block project such as this. Probably never. But if I do, I can tell you I will paper piece those blocks.
Its a gorgeous quilt and quite an accomplishment. Starting off the new year with a big win!
Posted by: Jane | January 04, 2021 at 04:18 AM
Nicole, your perseverance paid off, that is a gorgeous quilt - congratulations.
My very best wishes for a healthy 2021 to you and your family.
Posted by: Carla HR | January 04, 2021 at 05:10 AM
Happy New Year!
My takeaway from this post of a lovely pineapple quilt is that if I'm tempted to buy a pineapple ruler I should take it out of my cart and toss in some piecing papers instead. Ha, ha! Actually, wonderful to know, because I keep thinking I'll try one of those.
Posted by: Robby | January 04, 2021 at 05:20 AM
I would say you have 2021 off to a good start. I have a pineapple quilt started since 2017 Only about 12-5 inch blocks done. I am thinking table topper...
Your quilt is beautiful!
Posted by: Carole Moore | January 04, 2021 at 05:21 AM
Do you think you'll paper piece your next pineapple quilt??? LOL. I had to say it! I have 2 pineapple rulers as well as papers by Gigi's Thimble...I think I'll use the papers. All joking aside, Nicole, your quilt is absolutely stunning. Here's to 2021!!
Posted by: T Holzer | January 04, 2021 at 05:52 AM
Spectacular! What an accomplishment!
Posted by: M L | January 04, 2021 at 06:13 AM
I'm glad you managed to finish it; it's beautiful! Maybe you should paper piece the next one :)
Posted by: sue s | January 04, 2021 at 07:01 AM
Your quilt is beautiful. I personally would rather use that ruler than paper piece. I hate paper piecing which is why my Dear Jane has all of 12 blocks done.
Posted by: Debi Bacon | January 04, 2021 at 07:16 AM
It is beautiful Nicole. FIne job! Happy New Year! Be well and be safe!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | January 04, 2021 at 07:24 AM
Happy new year! That quilt is gorgeous. Glad you stuck with it and finished. I am slogging through a dwr that sounds about like your pineapple. I can see from your wonderful finish I should push through too!
Posted by: Taria | January 04, 2021 at 07:30 AM
I just can't get over how beautiful this quilt is! I made a few pineapple blocks for a group gift quilt, so I know how much work this is. Love it!
Posted by: Lisa D. | January 04, 2021 at 07:38 AM
That quilt is beautiful! I know you are glad you pushed through and have this stunning quilt in your collection. I have pineapple rulers and papers and am still afraid of beginning a project. I guess I could do a test sheet or two with some fabric scraps and see what happens....that makes sense doesn't it? The older I get, the more I shy away from "complicated."
Posted by: Kathleen G. | January 04, 2021 at 07:42 AM
Happy New Year & welcome back! Your pineapple quilt is stunning! You should be very proud of what you pushed through & accomplished! It's a beautiful addition to your quilt collection! Stay well!
Posted by: Jan | January 04, 2021 at 08:32 AM
Happy New Year! I know it was a pain for you but the quilt is gorgeous! You are going to be glad you persevered. Gives us all inspiration to tackle that one project we've been dreading finishing! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Posted by: Kelli | January 04, 2021 at 08:40 AM
Even if it wasn't all fun, it sure looks good! I'm glad you finished. It was a few years ago that I made my pineapple quilt and I have not yet been tempted to start another one.
Posted by: Cathy | January 04, 2021 at 08:44 AM
Stunning. Congratulations on your perseverance....I’m working on binding three quilts. I finished a quilt in 2020 that I started in 2000! Things happen when you have to stay home!
Posted by: Dona Zarosinski | January 04, 2021 at 08:44 AM
Your quilt is beautiful, good for you for sticking with the project. Those pineapple blocks are very time consuming. Happy New Year.
Posted by: Anita Monery | January 04, 2021 at 09:13 AM
Your quilt is stunning! So glad you finished it!! You should put a note on your label as to how many hours it took you. I have had a pineapple qu you k lol t on my radar for a few years now. Maybe it’s time to tackle one.
Posted by: Kerry L. | January 04, 2021 at 09:43 AM
lol Welcome back....I missed your posts. ;p
it really is a beautiful quilt!
Posted by: Ina | January 04, 2021 at 10:05 AM
What an absolutely stunning quilt - with time you will forget the pain involved and just enjoy it!!
Posted by: Helen in Switzerland | January 04, 2021 at 12:34 PM
Omigosh, it was worth every minute you spent on it--that is a truly stunning quilt! Outstanding--thank you for treating us to it :-)
Mary in Kansas
Posted by: Mary | January 04, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Happy New Year! You must be thrilled that you have finally finished this quilt. It's beautiful!
Posted by: Donna | January 05, 2021 at 03:08 AM
It's like going through labor, soon you will forget the pain, but oh that beautiful baby! Congrats on a great finish. Happy New Year! Give that welshie a smooch too.
Posted by: KimS | January 05, 2021 at 05:35 AM
Your quilt is fabulous! I made a pineapple quilt with that ruler in a class many, many years ago. I don’t remember having any problems and I finished the top during the class. Perhaps my younger eyes helped. I don’t think I’ll try it again.
Posted by: Mary Jo | January 05, 2021 at 12:02 PM
So glad you persevered as your quilt came out gorgeous! I have that ruler but never used it, now I'm tempted to put it in the donate pile. Happy 2021!
Posted by: Anita | January 05, 2021 at 03:17 PM