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The Classic Pieced Pineapple

Stitch a traditional favorite using quick methods.

The popular Pineapple block is an old quilt pattern dating from the late 1800s. Antique examples are often seen pieced from wools and silks. The design begins with a center square which is pieced into a larger square by adding triangles and stripes in rounds. Because of the manner in which it is pieced, the block is akin to the Log Cabin block. Like a Log Cabin, the number of rounds can vary. You can also have some creative fun by shadowing the block.

Because there are many bias edges in a Pineapple block, it requires careful handling during sewing and pressing in order to prevent stretching and ensure an accurate block. Various construction methods such as foundation piecing can be used to keep the block true. A special tool by authors and pattern designers Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan called the Pineapple Rule provides several guidelines for achieving accuracy in every block while you use quick rotary cutting techniques to make them. Their instructions and tips follow for using the tool to make "Pineapple," a quilt which appears in their book House Warmers. It's composed of large 17" blocks and makes use of lots of different fabrics. A block is pieced by stitching eight rounds of strips to a center square. If you prefer, use the Alternate Method for squaring the blocks without the tool. It requires a bit more skill because it provides fewer guidelines.

Pineapple Quilt

©1998 by Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan

QUILT SIZE: 51" x 68"                                                                         BLOCK SIZE: 17"

MATERIALS                                                                                       Yardage is estimated for 44" fabric. Cut crossgrain selvage-to-selvage strips.

• 1/3 yard dark print or solid for center squares
• 1/4 yard each of 30 to 35 medium to dark prints for "logs"
• 5/8 yard dark print or solid for binding
• 3 1/2 yards backing fabric
• 57" x 74" piece of batting

CUTTING                                                                                                      All dimensions include a 1/4" seam allowance.

• Cut 12: 4" squares, dark print or solid, for the centers
• Cut 85: 2 1/2" x 44" strips, assorted medium to dark prints for the logs
• Cut 10: 3" x 44" strips, assorted medium to dark prints for Round 8 (the corners)
• Cut 7: 2 1/2" x 44" strips, dark print or solid for the binding

DIRECTIONS                                                                                             Use an accurate 1/4" seam allowance throughout.

For Round 1 of each Pineapple block:

• Mark diagonal lines from corner to corner on the wrong side of a 4" dark print center square.
• Choose 4 different 2 1/2"-wide fabric strips. Cut a 4"-long segment from each. Stitch segments to opposite sides of the 4" center square. Stitch segments to the remaining sides.
• Press seam allowances away from the center square, taking care to avoid stretching

• Lay the Pineapple Rule on the wrong side of the block with the vertical line at the center of the ruler aligned with one of the marked lines on the fabric center square and the ruler's inside diagonal lines on top of two seamlines. While one of the horizontal lines on the ruler may not fall exactly on the other marked line, check to see that it is parallel to it. Once all of the guidelines are correctly aligned, trim off the two triangles of fabric that extend beyond the ruler at a corner. Repeat at the remaining corners of the block to make a center unit.

For Round 2:

• Cut four different 5 1/2"-long segments from the 2 1/2"-wide strips. Center and stitch these to the block the same way you did in Round 1. They will be slightly longer than necessary. Press seam allowances toward the outside of the block, as before.

• Draw lines from corner to corner on the wrong side of the center unit, keeping a right angle at the center.

• Lay the ruler on the wrong side of the block as before, lining up the inside diagonal lines on the seamlines and using the vertical line at the center and one of the horizontal lines on the ruler as guidelines for the marked lines. Trim corners, as shown. Repeat on the remaining corners.

For Round 3:

• Cut four different 7"-long segments from the 2 1/2"-wide strips. Stitch them to the block and press as before.

• Line up the edge of the ruler with the edge of the fabric strip in Round 2. Align the center, horizontal and diagonal guidelines on the ruler with the seamlines and marked lines, as before. Trim. (HINT: Try to use the same horizontal guide for each side of every block.)

• HINT: To allow for a slight variance in seam allowances, excessive pressing or minor stretching, you may need to trim or extend an edge in order to follow all of the guidelines. To do this, move the ruler up or down, away from the edge of the previous round or onto it, in order to match the guidelines. Trimming or extending an edge is a way to compensate so all blocks remain square and equal. The diagram illustrates extending an edge.

For Round 4:

• Cut four different 7 1/2"-long segments from the 2 1/2"-wide strips and stitch them to the block, as before.

• Press and trim as before, aligning the edge of the ruler with the edge of each strip in Round 3. Repeat for the remaining corners.

For Rounds 5-7:

• Cut the following segments and continue in the same manner as for Round 4: cut four 8"-long segments for Round 5; cut four 9"-long segments for Round 6; cut four 10"-long segments for Round 7.

For Round 8 (block corners):

• Cut four different 7"-long segments from the 3"-wide medium to dark print strips. Stitch these to the Round 7 strips to form the corners of the block. Press as before. Line up a corner of the Pineapple Rule with adjacent sides of the block. Trim both sides of the corner without moving the ruler. Repeat for the remaining corners to complete a Pineapple block. Make 12.

• Lay out the blocks in 4 rows of 3. Sew the blocks into rows. Join the rows to complete the quilt top.

• Finish using the 2 1/2" x 44" dark print strips for the binding.

Alternate Method

Use a large square rotary cutting ruler to trim the blocks. After sewing strips for Round 1, place the ruler on the wrong side of the block with the 1/4" mark at the intersection of two seamlines. Trim the strips 1/4" from the intersection at each corner to make the center unit. It should measure 5 3/8" square. Trim the strips for Round 2 in the same manner, making a unit that measures 7 1/2" square.

For Rounds 3-7, work from the right side of the block. Place the ruler's 2 1/4" mark on the seamline of a strip. Align the 45º mark on the ruler with the diagonal of the center unit. the horizontal and vertical lines on the ruler should be parallel to the edges of the center unit. Trim along the edge of the ruler. Repeat to trim the remaining strips in a round. Use a corner of the ruler to trim Round 8.

Nancy Smith and Lynda Milligan have worked together to run their quilt shop, Great American Quilt Factory, for 17 years. As partners in Possibilities®, they have published more than 35 books. Ask for their products and about their trunk show at your local quilt shop or visit their website at www.possibilitiesquilt.com

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