Aren't these mini Pineapple Blocks the cutest things ever? I was totally inspired by a block Thelma made and posted on Instagram. She is making an epic Jen Kingwell sampler quilt, and one of the blocks in the quilt consists of nine mini Pineapple Blocks. Seriously, go check out Thelma's picture of it on Instagram. It is jaw dropping.
I felt the precise color placement Thelma used in her blocks was beyond me at this point, but I sure was up for some experimentation. Thelma did paper piecing with her blocks, and I didn't want to do that. I like more instant gratification and thought I'd give my Creative Grids Mini Pineapple Trim Tool a whirl. For fabric, I used 5 inch charm squares I had left over from a previous project, and some muslin for the background/contrast. I did not spend a dime to make this, I completely used what I had on hand. You use 1 1/4" strips of the colored fabric, so I just cut those charm squares into four strips, which gave me the uniformity to have all the same fabric in each "round".
Now, I do not mean to give the impression that the learning curve on making these blocks wasn't steep. I threw away my first attempt, and this is my second try:
This is a wonderful looking little block, but it definitely is not a Pineapple Block. I really like it, and would love to make more of them, but I am not sure exactly what mistake I was making with the ruler to get it to turn out like this. I will have to experiment some more…
Finally, the third block came out like it was supposed to, despite me sewing the colored corner square onto the white fabric and wondering why the block didn't come out right. I removed the corner squares and the last round of colored strips and tried again with success. Now I was on a roll. It took one day and four tries to get one block to come out well, but now I was on a roll. Yesterday I made five blocks in about six hours. They are fiddly, but I put on some YouTube videos and stitched away to my heart's content.
I love myself a good trim tool, and Creative Grids certainly does not disappoint. Their Log Cabin Trim Tools are wonderful as well. Now that I have a handle on how to make the Pineapple Block, I will try for some special color placement such as Thelma used in hers.
I think most people would not have as much trouble as I did trying to decipher the instructions. My strengths lie in other areas. The instructions are great, but I need to read about it, try it with my own hands, then try to find tutorials on YouTube to see how other's do it. Creative Grids has a tutorial on how to use the tool, but doesn't show any actual trimming. My favorite tutorial was the one by Jenny of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. She shows you how to cut the strips, how to sew the strips and how to trim the strips.
I am super happy with my little blocks and will make a few more and maybe turn them into a table runner. See how the ruler has little squares that you line up with the center square, depending on what round you are on? There are also lots of additional grid lines to use to keep your block straight. Give it a try, you might like it as much as I do.
45 responses to “Mini Pineapple Blocks”
Cute pineapple blocks. Shabby Fabrics has a great video for using the pineapple trim tool also. I used it when making pineapple blocks for a sew day recently.
Cute pineapple blocks. Shabby Fabrics has a great video for using the pineapple trim tool also. I used it when making pineapple blocks for a sew day recently.
Cute pineapple blocks. Shabby Fabrics has a great video for using the pineapple trim tool also. I used it when making pineapple blocks for a sew day recently.
What wonderful wee blocks and I admire your determination! Love the fabrics, too!
Hugs!
What wonderful wee blocks and I admire your determination! Love the fabrics, too!
Hugs!
What wonderful wee blocks and I admire your determination! Love the fabrics, too!
Hugs!
Beautiful blocks! I was a Pineapple Trim Tool flunkie until I watched Jenny’s video and then it clicked. I am working on a 10″ version with 1930’s reproduction fabrics. Like you, I would love to make a smaller version like yours in my civil war fabrics for a table runner. I also love the Log Cabin Trim Tool and have made two lap quilts and given them to my good neighbors. Thank you for all your beautiful quilt posts that keep me inspired to keep making!
Beautiful blocks! I was a Pineapple Trim Tool flunkie until I watched Jenny’s video and then it clicked. I am working on a 10″ version with 1930’s reproduction fabrics. Like you, I would love to make a smaller version like yours in my civil war fabrics for a table runner. I also love the Log Cabin Trim Tool and have made two lap quilts and given them to my good neighbors. Thank you for all your beautiful quilt posts that keep me inspired to keep making!
Beautiful blocks! I was a Pineapple Trim Tool flunkie until I watched Jenny’s video and then it clicked. I am working on a 10″ version with 1930’s reproduction fabrics. Like you, I would love to make a smaller version like yours in my civil war fabrics for a table runner. I also love the Log Cabin Trim Tool and have made two lap quilts and given them to my good neighbors. Thank you for all your beautiful quilt posts that keep me inspired to keep making!
A wonderful block. I am coming back later today to carefully read your tips and go see Thelma and the tutorial. Thank you so much for this! Need to explore those tools as well. have a great weekend Nicole.
Mary
A wonderful block. I am coming back later today to carefully read your tips and go see Thelma and the tutorial. Thank you so much for this! Need to explore those tools as well. have a great weekend Nicole.
Mary
A wonderful block. I am coming back later today to carefully read your tips and go see Thelma and the tutorial. Thank you so much for this! Need to explore those tools as well. have a great weekend Nicole.
Mary
Gorgeous, Nicole! Thanks for the Thelma update. I was on her blog last nite wondering where she was lately. I made great progress on Jellystone #2 yesterday. I got my mistakes corrected and I’ve started putting 2 of the 4 bear paw blocks together. And it hasn’t cost me a dime yet either! Happy sewing!
Gorgeous, Nicole! Thanks for the Thelma update. I was on her blog last nite wondering where she was lately. I made great progress on Jellystone #2 yesterday. I got my mistakes corrected and I’ve started putting 2 of the 4 bear paw blocks together. And it hasn’t cost me a dime yet either! Happy sewing!
Gorgeous, Nicole! Thanks for the Thelma update. I was on her blog last nite wondering where she was lately. I made great progress on Jellystone #2 yesterday. I got my mistakes corrected and I’ve started putting 2 of the 4 bear paw blocks together. And it hasn’t cost me a dime yet either! Happy sewing!
I love your pineapple blocks! I’ve made some for the Long Time Gone sampler and while I love the look of the blocks I know I’ll probably never make a whole pineaplle block they are just so time consuming. Have a great weekend (BTE did you hear something about your sewing machines?).
I love your pineapple blocks! I’ve made some for the Long Time Gone sampler and while I love the look of the blocks I know I’ll probably never make a whole pineaplle block they are just so time consuming. Have a great weekend (BTE did you hear something about your sewing machines?).
I love your pineapple blocks! I’ve made some for the Long Time Gone sampler and while I love the look of the blocks I know I’ll probably never make a whole pineaplle block they are just so time consuming. Have a great weekend (BTE did you hear something about your sewing machines?).
I’ve been wanting to make a pineapple quilt for quite a while now. I put this template as a suggestion w/one of my daughter’s for Christmas. I so hope I get this!! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to make a pineapple quilt for quite a while now. I put this template as a suggestion w/one of my daughter’s for Christmas. I so hope I get this!! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to make a pineapple quilt for quite a while now. I put this template as a suggestion w/one of my daughter’s for Christmas. I so hope I get this!! 🙂
Just got my mini Pineapple tool in the mail…a Black Friday gift to me! Can’t wait to try it as I have hoarded some charm packs that I need to use! I’ll be sure to watch a tutorial before I tackle them. Have a great weekend!
Just got my mini Pineapple tool in the mail…a Black Friday gift to me! Can’t wait to try it as I have hoarded some charm packs that I need to use! I’ll be sure to watch a tutorial before I tackle them. Have a great weekend!
Just got my mini Pineapple tool in the mail…a Black Friday gift to me! Can’t wait to try it as I have hoarded some charm packs that I need to use! I’ll be sure to watch a tutorial before I tackle them. Have a great weekend!
Love pineapple blocks, yours are so-o pretty. I looked at Thelma’s Instagram photos. I wondered where all my favorite quilters creative photos went. Not so much on blogs these days. Anyone who takes on Jen Kingwell is top of the heap in my book. Love her quilts but just not ready for all that tiny just yet. Thanks for the peak into your colorful quilt world, and Thelma’s, and Jen’s. Just started putting out Christmas. Can’t find two favorite quilts. Darn. There’s 30-40 finished quilts here in my new house, but I confess to not being able to lay my hands on every single thing. I bought a new very large, very rustic dresser for the sewing room that now houses my 60 flimsies. That’s probably my first quilting chore, finding a new LAQ, and possibly doing some of my own. If I ever catch up to myself. Have family nearby now, so there’s always something going on. Not so much quilting, but life has gotten a lot more fun.
Love pineapple blocks, yours are so-o pretty. I looked at Thelma’s Instagram photos. I wondered where all my favorite quilters creative photos went. Not so much on blogs these days. Anyone who takes on Jen Kingwell is top of the heap in my book. Love her quilts but just not ready for all that tiny just yet. Thanks for the peak into your colorful quilt world, and Thelma’s, and Jen’s. Just started putting out Christmas. Can’t find two favorite quilts. Darn. There’s 30-40 finished quilts here in my new house, but I confess to not being able to lay my hands on every single thing. I bought a new very large, very rustic dresser for the sewing room that now houses my 60 flimsies. That’s probably my first quilting chore, finding a new LAQ, and possibly doing some of my own. If I ever catch up to myself. Have family nearby now, so there’s always something going on. Not so much quilting, but life has gotten a lot more fun.
Love pineapple blocks, yours are so-o pretty. I looked at Thelma’s Instagram photos. I wondered where all my favorite quilters creative photos went. Not so much on blogs these days. Anyone who takes on Jen Kingwell is top of the heap in my book. Love her quilts but just not ready for all that tiny just yet. Thanks for the peak into your colorful quilt world, and Thelma’s, and Jen’s. Just started putting out Christmas. Can’t find two favorite quilts. Darn. There’s 30-40 finished quilts here in my new house, but I confess to not being able to lay my hands on every single thing. I bought a new very large, very rustic dresser for the sewing room that now houses my 60 flimsies. That’s probably my first quilting chore, finding a new LAQ, and possibly doing some of my own. If I ever catch up to myself. Have family nearby now, so there’s always something going on. Not so much quilting, but life has gotten a lot more fun.
I’ve always liked the look of pineapple blocks but have never tried them. Your look really good.
I’ve always liked the look of pineapple blocks but have never tried them. Your look really good.
I’ve always liked the look of pineapple blocks but have never tried them. Your look really good.
Nichole, thanks for all of the sharing that you do on your blog. Inspirational. Also like that you share when things don’t go perfectly – encouraging.. Can you tell me how wide the plain log sections finish?
Nichole, thanks for all of the sharing that you do on your blog. Inspirational. Also like that you share when things don’t go perfectly – encouraging.. Can you tell me how wide the plain log sections finish?
Nichole, thanks for all of the sharing that you do on your blog. Inspirational. Also like that you share when things don’t go perfectly – encouraging.. Can you tell me how wide the plain log sections finish?
Your blocks are so pretty & totally free makes them even better! I took a peek at Thelma’s…way beyond my pay grade!!! I admire your skill & patience to take on such a ‘fiddly’ block, then master it!! Congrats!
Your blocks are so pretty & totally free makes them even better! I took a peek at Thelma’s…way beyond my pay grade!!! I admire your skill & patience to take on such a ‘fiddly’ block, then master it!! Congrats!
Your blocks are so pretty & totally free makes them even better! I took a peek at Thelma’s…way beyond my pay grade!!! I admire your skill & patience to take on such a ‘fiddly’ block, then master it!! Congrats!
I found the marti michel pineapple tool to be amazing for those tiny blocks
I found the marti michel pineapple tool to be amazing for those tiny blocks
I found the marti michel pineapple tool to be amazing for those tiny blocks
These are lovely blocks! I love the colors
These are lovely blocks! I love the colors
These are lovely blocks! I love the colors
I made a queen-sized quilt with the larger Creative Grid pineapple quilt ruler. I finally bought a book by the woman who invented the ruler. It had clearer directions. I also decided to not use a steam iron with the blocks. In the end, I got in a groove, and I enjoyed the process. I will be entering the quilt in our quild’s show. I am sure I won’t win any ribbons, but I could win one for persistence. I think I will do another one. It is a bit like childbirth.
I made a queen-sized quilt with the larger Creative Grid pineapple quilt ruler. I finally bought a book by the woman who invented the ruler. It had clearer directions. I also decided to not use a steam iron with the blocks. In the end, I got in a groove, and I enjoyed the process. I will be entering the quilt in our quild’s show. I am sure I won’t win any ribbons, but I could win one for persistence. I think I will do another one. It is a bit like childbirth.
I made a queen-sized quilt with the larger Creative Grid pineapple quilt ruler. I finally bought a book by the woman who invented the ruler. It had clearer directions. I also decided to not use a steam iron with the blocks. In the end, I got in a groove, and I enjoyed the process. I will be entering the quilt in our quild’s show. I am sure I won’t win any ribbons, but I could win one for persistence. I think I will do another one. It is a bit like childbirth.