Scrappy Pineapple Quilt Blocks

UPDATE 3/12/2010: I have uploaded the FREE 6 Inch Paper Piecing Pineapple Block Pattern to end of this post.

What you see above is my "Chip Basket." That's what I call the little container that I throw all my scrap bits of fabric and odd half square triangles, wonky strips and any other little leftover fabric pieces that accumulate as I piece together quilts. I even save those first cuts of yardage you are left with after you square the fabric up prior to rotary cutting. Either way, we all have these little scraps. As you can see by the photo my Chips had grown too large for the container I was keeping them in and this past weekend I thought I should go purchase a larger bin. "HOGWASH," I said out loud, as I quickly came to my senses! I decided right then that I would start using them up!

The Scrappy Pineapple Block to the left is what I came up with. I vowed to myself, and now to all of my online quilting buddies, that I will make one of these blocks every single day, no matter what, until I can at least put the lid back on the Chip Basket without having to sit on it to get it latched. Believe me, the bin can't stand that level of abuse...

I was given the most marvelous gift from my Quilt Guild secret pal recently and that helped me decide what direction I wanted to go. She had bought for me the June Tailor Perfect Piecing Transparent, Blank Foundation Sheets for paper piecing. This is a marvelous product, let me tell you! I stuck it in my printer, and it printed up the block lickity split. It is so easy to use, you can see right through it without having to hold it up to the light, and it tears away like butter but only when you are ready to tear it off! The photo to the right shows a block before I sewed on the scraps.

Here is the back of two blocks. See how easy it is to see through and thus to work with? It is a gift from the quilting Gods, in my humble opinion.

And here are Saturday and Sundays blocks, even sewn together. I have put the free 6 inch Paper Piecing Pineapple Block on the end of this post for everyone to use. Dig into YOUR scrap bins and make something bright, happy and useful today!

(you can scroll to the bottom of the embedded pdf file and click on "download" to print...)

Pineapple block 6 inch

To Border or Not to Border

...That is the question. Here is my latest scrappy quilt. I made this quilt for my business partner's daughter who is 7. She is a very ill little angel and I think she needs a quilt as soon as possible. She has just started her first round of chemo to treat leukemia and I wanted to make something very happy and bright for her. Well, this sure fits the bill, doesn't it? At any rate, what I was hoping for is some input from all you quiters out there - does this need a "calming" border, possibly a great psychedelic border, or no border at all? Why can't I decide on this one? I keep staring at it and just can't seem to come to a decision. The quilt is so far outside of my comfort zone, I think it froze me up! I am stuck, for sure. Help me out on this one. I need to get it done!

Two More Scrappy Quilts Done!

I am so very pleased - I finished two more quilts this weekend for two very sweet nieces in New York. I created this pattern myself and used up a ton of medium value scraps and I am thrilled with the end result. I quilted them both myself, as well. Also, for the first time ever I have put quilt labels on both quilts...I know, I know... I came to the game a bit late.

All that being said, check out my "What's Cooking" list to the right. I have registered four more "DONES!" I am getting a bit blurry-eyed, but it is Christmas and doesn't that happen to all quilters? It is the natural progression of things. I will say I am ripping through my stash, and feeling quite good about it. I just love Christmas. WooooHoooo!

And, Mare - I am still alive, I promise, just sewing like a crazy woman trying to get all these project done. I know I set my expectations too high sometimes, but the fun part of Christmas for me is the old fashioned giving of gifts from the heart. Corney, yes, but 100% me. I just can't help myself. I will get back to the emails as soon as I feel like I have a chance to make my deadline!