Pineapple Tidbits How To

Here's a bit more elaborate description of how to make the Pineapple Tidbits that I talked about last time - you know, that project from 1996...The technique is called under pressed foundation piecing.

Cut  8 1/2" blocks of flannelette. Trace the block onto tracing paper with a transfer pencil being careful to keep the pencil point fairly fine.

With the pencil side face down on the flannelette, iron the pattern onto the blocks being careful not to shift the pattern as you go.

For assembling the blocks it helps to have a light table because you are placing the pieces on the unmarked side of the block and sewing on the lines marked on the other side, so you need to ensure proper coverage; I've just been holding my blocks up to the lamp to position them and it works fine.

Each block begins with a red square and then you apply 4 light and then 4 dark strips in alternating rows, pressing and trimming the points and allowances to 1/4" as you go. It's easier if you add 2 strips opposite each other rather than trying to do all 4 at one time. This is the last two pieces of the second (dark) round; those 4 points will be trimmed even with the seam allowance.

I precut my strips ahead of time and file them in zip lock bags in a shoe box so that I can pull a full set of strips at one time. 

Light colours are in 2", 2 1/2", 3 1/4", and 4" lengths; dark colours are 2 1/2", 3 1/4", 4", and 4 1/2" lengths.

When you get to the last round the corner pieces are a little bit chunkier - 2"x 3" blocks rather than 1 1/2" strips.

Once it's all together, trim to a 7 1/2" block and then zig zag the edges to keep everyone in their place until the blocks are joined together.

I think I've got between 35 and 40 blocks together now; this one will be for the sofa so it will soon be ready to start assembling. Because it will be more of a throw than a full quilt I think I'll back it with flannel....M