I've spent several days comparing two pineapple rulers. One, the Creative Grids Pineapple Ruler, I have used before and really liked. It recently came to my attention that Bloc Loc makes a Pineapple Ruler as well, and on impulse I ordered one. I'll give you my opinions in this post, which is very photo heavy.
Both rulers have YouTube tutorials, but the Bloc Loc lady is left handed which I found very confusing when she did her video. The Creative Grids video is clear as can be.
You can see that they differ considerably in appearance.
With the Creative Grids ruler, you trim the even numbered rows like this:
The ruler has little squares for each even round. You place the square for the round you are on over the center square, taking care to line up the dotted lines that appear throughout the ruler with your seam lines. There is also a white diagonal line that helps you be sure your center square is square and not tilted. You can trim two sides at once with the ruler in one position. Flip it and trim the other two sides.
When trimming the odd numbered rounds (in this case, the white strips), you do have to trim each side individually. You don't worry about lining up the squares now, but pay attention to the dotted lines and a 45 degree line at the top of the ruler.
You add squares to the corners when the block is as big as you want it (4", 5" and 6" are your options with this ruler). Use the ruler to square up your block perfectly.
I was pleased with how the blocks came out, with only the most minuscule distortion.
With the Bloc Loc ruler, there seems to be a lot more trimming. The ruler "locks" in place along your seam line, and you just need to line your center square in a square unit up with the 90 degree angle lines that are marked on the ruler. My seam ripper is pointing to one of these lines. There is another one running down the left side of the white square in a square block. You trim the excess fabric on the top right. You have to do this with all four sides of the block. So, four cuts.
Then you have to trim your strips down, all four sides. Four more cuts. And good grief if you forget this step (which I did every now and then), you will be doing some un-sewing.
So far, I am thinking there is a lot more passes with the rotary cutter to get each round to size with the Bloc Loc compared to the Creative Grids. Creative Grids: 4 trims per round. Bloc Loc: 8 trims per round.
Now let's talk about block size. There are two Creative Grids Pineapple rulers available. I have the smaller one, which gives you blocks that are 4", 5" or 6". All my fabric strips were cut to 1 1/4". There is a larger size for making 6", 8", or 10" blocks. For the larger blocks you would cut your strips a bit larger.
For the Bloc Loc ruler, you choose your tool based on the width of the strip you want to end up with. I chose a ruler that gave me the option of having one inch strips or 1/2" strips. If you want strips of a different size you must purchase more rulers.
With the Creative Grids tool, all strips are the same width (1/2") for the three block size options. If you opt for the larger size choice, I believe your finished strips are 1". With the Bloc Loc, you can use strips of any size wider than 1 1/4". Since you have to trim down the strips in each round anyway, it is a great use of leftover strips from other projects.
The plus with the Bloc Loc ruler is that you can make your pineapple block as big as you want to. You are not limited to a size. If you want a big pineapple block, just keep adding strips. You might think the ruler is too short to make a big block, but all you have to do is slide the ruler along the seam line to get to the end of your cut.
I made a nice big block, and as you can see, there is a fair amount of distortion. The block is askew. I was dismayed by this and thought I should try again and be more careful as I trimmed. I made a second big block, and it was just as crooked. I am thinking maybe it wouldn't be so noticeable if I had made a smaller block.
My final opinion is that I preferred the Creative Grids Pineapple ruler over the Bloc Loc. My reasons for liking it better is that 1) there isn't as much trimming per round and 2) the block came out straighter, 3) there are more lines on the Creative Grids tool for squaring up the block for better accuracy.
54 responses to “Comparing Pineapple Rulers”
Very interesting…. I have always wanted to make a pineapple block…your samples are lovely.
Very interesting…. I have always wanted to make a pineapple block…your samples are lovely.
Very interesting…. I have always wanted to make a pineapple block…your samples are lovely.
Thank you so much for the pineapple ruler review! I bought the Creative
Grids to make a bunch of small blocks for the Long Time Gone quilt. I am
Left handed and didn’t review the trimming guidelines as closely as I should have so
My first two were a little wonky. I did get perfect blocks after I read the
Directions a few times. Love the ruler. You just saved me from investing
In another brand. Thank you for taking the time.
Thank you so much for the pineapple ruler review! I bought the Creative
Grids to make a bunch of small blocks for the Long Time Gone quilt. I am
Left handed and didn’t review the trimming guidelines as closely as I should have so
My first two were a little wonky. I did get perfect blocks after I read the
Directions a few times. Love the ruler. You just saved me from investing
In another brand. Thank you for taking the time.
Thank you so much for the pineapple ruler review! I bought the Creative
Grids to make a bunch of small blocks for the Long Time Gone quilt. I am
Left handed and didn’t review the trimming guidelines as closely as I should have so
My first two were a little wonky. I did get perfect blocks after I read the
Directions a few times. Love the ruler. You just saved me from investing
In another brand. Thank you for taking the time.
Thanks for this review!
I love both versions but I’m with you less trimming and a better block are preferable!
Thanks for this review!
I love both versions but I’m with you less trimming and a better block are preferable!
Thanks for this review!
I love both versions but I’m with you less trimming and a better block are preferable!
I finally got the hang of using the Creative Grids ruler and I love it. I loved it so much, I bought the other size and proceeded to empty out my scrap bin. Don’t care for the “thin” look created by that particular size bloc loc, a wider strip one would be more to my liking, but then again—why fix what isn’t broken?
Your work is spectacular and I love the green!
I finally got the hang of using the Creative Grids ruler and I love it. I loved it so much, I bought the other size and proceeded to empty out my scrap bin. Don’t care for the “thin” look created by that particular size bloc loc, a wider strip one would be more to my liking, but then again—why fix what isn’t broken?
Your work is spectacular and I love the green!
I finally got the hang of using the Creative Grids ruler and I love it. I loved it so much, I bought the other size and proceeded to empty out my scrap bin. Don’t care for the “thin” look created by that particular size bloc loc, a wider strip one would be more to my liking, but then again—why fix what isn’t broken?
Your work is spectacular and I love the green!
Thank you for this review. I have both sizes of the Creative Grids ruler and a Gyleen Fitzgerald pineapple ruler. I have been cutting and saving 2” strips for some time to make a pineapple quilt. Perhaps this will be the year. Your table runner looks fabulous!
Thank you for this review. I have both sizes of the Creative Grids ruler and a Gyleen Fitzgerald pineapple ruler. I have been cutting and saving 2” strips for some time to make a pineapple quilt. Perhaps this will be the year. Your table runner looks fabulous!
Thank you for this review. I have both sizes of the Creative Grids ruler and a Gyleen Fitzgerald pineapple ruler. I have been cutting and saving 2” strips for some time to make a pineapple quilt. Perhaps this will be the year. Your table runner looks fabulous!
Thanks for the review. Love your Irish green runner with little twinkles of blue!
Thanks for the review. Love your Irish green runner with little twinkles of blue!
Thanks for the review. Love your Irish green runner with little twinkles of blue!
Four trims versus eight per round is a no brainer for me as that is fewer opportunities for error. Hope your review gets shared by any who entertain pineapple blocks.
Four trims versus eight per round is a no brainer for me as that is fewer opportunities for error. Hope your review gets shared by any who entertain pineapple blocks.
Four trims versus eight per round is a no brainer for me as that is fewer opportunities for error. Hope your review gets shared by any who entertain pineapple blocks.
Thanks so much for this review. I feel like you give unbiased reviews and tell us truthfully what you like and don’t like about the things you mention in your blog. Btw, recently I told you that I had purchased, but not tried, Doug Leko’s folded corner ruler, which you highly recommend. Well, I‘ve used it now! Umpteen flying geese and folded corner units later, I can say that I whole heartedly agree with you. That’s a very helpful tool to own. Hope your weather is improving!
Thanks so much for this review. I feel like you give unbiased reviews and tell us truthfully what you like and don’t like about the things you mention in your blog. Btw, recently I told you that I had purchased, but not tried, Doug Leko’s folded corner ruler, which you highly recommend. Well, I‘ve used it now! Umpteen flying geese and folded corner units later, I can say that I whole heartedly agree with you. That’s a very helpful tool to own. Hope your weather is improving!
Thanks so much for this review. I feel like you give unbiased reviews and tell us truthfully what you like and don’t like about the things you mention in your blog. Btw, recently I told you that I had purchased, but not tried, Doug Leko’s folded corner ruler, which you highly recommend. Well, I‘ve used it now! Umpteen flying geese and folded corner units later, I can say that I whole heartedly agree with you. That’s a very helpful tool to own. Hope your weather is improving!
That runner is going to be great for St. Patrick’s Day! I frequently refer to your posts to see how you approached a process because I appreciate your clear directions. Thanks for helpful reviews that aren’t trying to ‘sell’ a particular product!
That runner is going to be great for St. Patrick’s Day! I frequently refer to your posts to see how you approached a process because I appreciate your clear directions. Thanks for helpful reviews that aren’t trying to ‘sell’ a particular product!
That runner is going to be great for St. Patrick’s Day! I frequently refer to your posts to see how you approached a process because I appreciate your clear directions. Thanks for helpful reviews that aren’t trying to ‘sell’ a particular product!
Thanks for sharing your research with us, you always do such a nice job of comparing things. A pineapple quilt is on that bucket list. I expect mine will be made with a Creative Grids ruler, I’ve really come to like them for so many things. And those green blocks are a breath of Spring!
Thanks for sharing your research with us, you always do such a nice job of comparing things. A pineapple quilt is on that bucket list. I expect mine will be made with a Creative Grids ruler, I’ve really come to like them for so many things. And those green blocks are a breath of Spring!
Thanks for sharing your research with us, you always do such a nice job of comparing things. A pineapple quilt is on that bucket list. I expect mine will be made with a Creative Grids ruler, I’ve really come to like them for so many things. And those green blocks are a breath of Spring!
Great review, good to know the pros and cons. I am linking to a photo of your green pinwheel puzzle for my blog post tomorrow, I am making one using your green example. Thanks for the idea! Wonder if I can get it done before St Pat’s Day? LOL
Great review, good to know the pros and cons. I am linking to a photo of your green pinwheel puzzle for my blog post tomorrow, I am making one using your green example. Thanks for the idea! Wonder if I can get it done before St Pat’s Day? LOL
Great review, good to know the pros and cons. I am linking to a photo of your green pinwheel puzzle for my blog post tomorrow, I am making one using your green example. Thanks for the idea! Wonder if I can get it done before St Pat’s Day? LOL
Great comparison and love the blocks….think I like your St Pat’s and sounds like that was a better choice for ruler. Thanks Nicole…
Great comparison and love the blocks….think I like your St Pat’s and sounds like that was a better choice for ruler. Thanks Nicole…
Great comparison and love the blocks….think I like your St Pat’s and sounds like that was a better choice for ruler. Thanks Nicole…
Interesting, Nicole. Thanks so much.
Interesting, Nicole. Thanks so much.
Interesting, Nicole. Thanks so much.
Good information and well done on the wee strip pineapple blocks!
Hugs!
Good information and well done on the wee strip pineapple blocks!
Hugs!
Good information and well done on the wee strip pineapple blocks!
Hugs!
Thanks for that informative review. It’s good to know about tools that are well worth their price. Love your fresh greens table runner!
Thanks for that informative review. It’s good to know about tools that are well worth their price. Love your fresh greens table runner!
Thanks for that informative review. It’s good to know about tools that are well worth their price. Love your fresh greens table runner!
Thank you so much Nicole. A fabulous honest review and very detailed. very helpful!
Thank you so much Nicole. A fabulous honest review and very detailed. very helpful!
Thank you so much Nicole. A fabulous honest review and very detailed. very helpful!
Thank you for your excellent review of these 2 pineapple rulers. Love pineapple blocks/quilts and think I need to add one to the list for 2019! Your runner and table topper are both wonderful!
Thank you for your excellent review of these 2 pineapple rulers. Love pineapple blocks/quilts and think I need to add one to the list for 2019! Your runner and table topper are both wonderful!
Thank you for your excellent review of these 2 pineapple rulers. Love pineapple blocks/quilts and think I need to add one to the list for 2019! Your runner and table topper are both wonderful!
Thank you so much for this great review. I have been gathering blues and creams to make a pineapple quilt for some time now. I was looking at the creative grid ruler this weekend and just hadn’t decided yet. I know now that I will pick that one. Thank you! Love your blocks too.
Thank you so much for this great review. I have been gathering blues and creams to make a pineapple quilt for some time now. I was looking at the creative grid ruler this weekend and just hadn’t decided yet. I know now that I will pick that one. Thank you! Love your blocks too.
Thank you so much for this great review. I have been gathering blues and creams to make a pineapple quilt for some time now. I was looking at the creative grid ruler this weekend and just hadn’t decided yet. I know now that I will pick that one. Thank you! Love your blocks too.