I have gotten a few questions about my Pineapple Crazy blocks again so I’ll answer them here.
First up from Gwen: What sizes do you cut your scraps for this? I want to make one but can’t seem to get started.
Although the quilt looks like any scraps will do and for the most part they can, I do find for me, I love triangles for the center right up until I get to the two outer rings. Let me show you how I do it…of course this is not an exact science. It is simply what I do and what works for me.
I make sure to cut the center square quite a bit bigger than is actually needed. I’d rather be big and trim than miss the seam.
A blog reader, I think Ila, sent me a bunch of triangles they had left over. When making flying geese or star points there are often “waste” triangles left over. I LOVE THESE!!! It really doesn’t matter the size..if they are bigger I cut them in half for the first few rounds. Readers send me these triangles all the time and getting a bunch of them simply makes giddy. I love that this quilt is mostly the result of “throw away fabric”.
If you look at the photo below you’ll notice that I am now starting the round that is second to the last. Typically for these I use 1 1/2″ fabric strips. I can use 1 1/4″ but I have to be more careful of the the placement then.
You can see that I sewed the seam already. Rather than trim that off and throw it away, if the resulting triangles are big enough I save them too.
See…I used those trimmed triangle pieces for the start of the next block….I love no waste!
The last triangles that are sewn onto the block can be done with 2 1/2″ squares that have been cut in half. I like mine with 3″ squares that have been cut in half but the 2 1/2″ ones will work.
Next question…where is the pattern? In Bonnie Hunter’s String Fling book.
Another question…size of blocks? 5″.
From Josie, “I got String Fling last Christmas as a gift! I WANT to do Pineapple Crazy but can you please tell me where to go to get the templates copied?? I took them to my local FedEx/Kinkos store and they said because it is in a book they cannot do it I do understand and RESPECT copy right!!?? I showed them in the book where it says “copy templates on paper” but they just did not understand!! I have a printer but no scanner and have even thought about buying one, (but tend to be a bit tech challenged so that might not be the best thing either!)”
I printed mine myself. I print them on tracing paper with my own printer. I have no idea what to do in your situation. There have been several questions about my paper. I use the tracing paper so that that I can see through it. I’ve tried regular paper before and I will NEVER use it again. I vowed off paper piecing years ago because I had tried it with regular paper and hated it. Once I tried tracing paper…I love it.
That’s the Pineapple Crazy questions I’ve collected. Let me know if you have more questions.
For Josie, she could try a local library – they are very good at making copies. I love these blocks!
You can do copying at Staples and Office Max. They will also put a spiral binding on books so it is easier to open them up and make copy without the book falling apart. The last time I had it done it cost approximately $5.
Tell your reader to use the self-service counter at any of the office supply stores if they object to making the copies for her.
The library was my first thought for Josie’s problem. If she has a tech-savvy friend or relative, it might be better to have them scan the template in a format she can print herself. There are a LOT of blocks in that quilt! Just be careful the scale is accurate! Some scanners aren’t that accurate. Personally, I’d redraw the block in EQ7 and print from there, but I’m not sure that would work here.
don’t worry about the book problem. just take a piece of tracing paper, lay it over the block pattern, and trace the lines.
next, tape the tracing paper to a piece of copy paper, put the pattern in a copier, and print away on the rest of the tracing paper.
I made a pineapple Crazy wall hanging several years ago. It was so much fun to make. My many sewing friends saved their small scraps for me and loved seeing them used in these little blocks. I used EQ to draw the pattern for the block then I printed them. I use the newsprint type of paper from children’s Scribble drawing pads that I buy at Dollar Tree for a buck. The paper tears easily and it is cheap to buy.
Not coping templates is not a respect of copyright. It is just people who don’t want to learn and serve their customers. Go some place else and get copies…. this is the 21st century.
Question about tracing paper: What type of printer are you putting it through? Inkjet or Laser? other? Thanks
Vellum paper works very nicely for paper piecing as well.
I love how you keeping working little by little on such a huge project. You have inspired me to try this block. I have looked at the pattern in Bonnie’s book for months and months. My question is where to you find the tracing paper that you are using? Any particular name brand? With the right tools, your success and inspiration, I’m ready to go! Thanks for all you do and stop and just take a breath!
I just use cheap tracing paper from the dollar store.
An update on my question…I. sent an email to Bonnie and she said the people I delt with were wrong! She said take her email to them and it is an approval from the author herself!! I have not had a chance to get there yet, but was very happy she took a minute out if her busy schedule to lend a hand!! Love your blocks! Thanks for sharing!!
I just trace one copy then make copies of the tracing. Make sure the scale is right. It works great.