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| Block from Esther's Quilt |
The first block in the Sew Along is the Pineapple Block(s). This block is repeated three times in the quilt - in three colors.
Block History and Details From the Original Quilt by Quilt Historian Neva Hart
"Block A-1 (Pink) Pine Apple (sic)
The Pineapple motif has been popular since colonial days and is a symbol of hospitality.
The design was commonly used in quilts made in the Middle Atlantic region."
"C-1 (Red) The same green print fabric was used for all 3 pineapple blocks, which probably employed a template. Three different green prints were used on the quilt."
"Block A-1 (Pink) Pine Apple (sic)
The Pineapple motif has been popular since colonial days and is a symbol of hospitality.
The design was commonly used in quilts made in the Middle Atlantic region."
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| Block from Esther's Quilt |
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| Block From Esther's Quilt |
Locust Grove, Esther’s home place, was known for its "gracious hospitality." Three pineapples on the quilt would have been appropriate for a visitor’s bed at Locust Grove." ... Neva Hart
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Month One - Pineapple Reproduction Blocks - Doreen's
I am making the blocks 16" using fabrics in shades of Red & Taupe.
These vintage inspired fabrics are from various lines designed by French General for Moda.
Block Strategies & Assembly
Note: You might want to ink your blocks (flower names) before you begin stitching
Barbara, at Baltimore Garden Quilts has a great inking tutorial HERE.
Because the block design is not perfectly symmetrical, I numbered each of the pineapple sections on my pattern to keep track of piece placement.
Each of your pattern pages contains an asterisk (*) which indicates the center of the block design. Either crease or mark lightly with a removable marker or chalk pencil, the center of your block's background fabric and center this over the asterisk mark for registration/alignment purposes.
- Applique' the top leaves onto your background first.
- Next, add the 4 Pineapple fruits.
- The final step is to add the pineapple base/stems.
Upon closer inspection of the original Pineapple blocks, I discovered that the intersecting stems were actually pieced in overlapping sections.
I added pencil lines to the intersecting part of my Paper pattern.
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| Esther's Pineapple Intersecting Stems |
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| Pencil Line added to the pattern |
Then I assembled my remaining 2 pineapple blocks using 3 base/stem sections.
Please stop back to visit us again on the 1st and 15th of each month. You can also 'Follow' the blog and subscribe to posts on the left side of the blog sidebar.
We will be linking up with other blogging/stitching friends for a wonderful Show & Tell session the 15th of each month. Also take some time to visit the tabs on this blog for additional tips and details.
This will be a great opportunity to see the blocks other quilter's are making and perhaps even read a few tips and techniques they might share as well.
In addition, you can share your block progress with us on the SVBAQ Facebook Page:
Shenandoah Valley Botanical Quilt Sew Along
Happy Stitching!
Your blocks are lovely in the red & taupe shades and I enjoyed seeing the closeup of the original with her beautiful echo quilting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb!
ReplyDeleteEsther echo quilted all the blocks with approximately one half inch of spacing in between each round of stitches.
Excited to get started on the journey with everyone. Your fabrics for these blocks are stunning.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to sharing this journey with you Lisa!
DeleteSo thrilled to finally be "under way"!
ReplyDeleteThis will be a fun adventure to share with you!
DeleteLooking beautiful Doreen - great fabric choices! thanks for the step-by-step. We have a long weekend coming up here - am hoping to start stitching then :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Hilda,
DeleteI am looking forward to seeing your beautiful blocks.
Beautiful, Doreen! I so wish I could join in. Can't even think of it now as I have sore hands from doing some other hand stitching.
ReplyDeleteLove that you are giving tips on the stitching order of the applique pieces. That is always a puzzle to me.
We appreciate your support Maureen as a Cheerleader for the group!
DeleteWishing you continued success on all your quilting endeavors.
Looking at the close up of the middle you show, it looks to me like the pineapples are each done individually. It looks like the intersection on to is stitched together, or the edge turned under on the top one) because the pattern on the fabric is different on the two sides of what I think is a center seam does this make sense or am I seeing it wrong? I am looking forward to starting at the end of the month!
ReplyDeleteThere is no right or wrong way to make your blocks, all three could be done differently. Some makers of antique quilts worked under more fabric constraints than we do today. Looking forward to seeing your blocks and your choices. Welcome!
DeleteI was looking at your red & taupe blocks a second time. Love them!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen
DeleteI really enjoyed sewing these together.
I have one of the original patterns from the museum and there is no mark for the center of the block. How important is that? Since the block is not symmetrical, how should I figure it out? It is quite possible that I am overthinking this! :-))
ReplyDeleteJanet, to find the center - fold your background in half vertically and then horizontally and crease it lightly on the fold lines. You will have a little creased + or x indentation in the middle that will determine the center of the block background. To mark the pattern page it's similar. Measure across the width of the printed pattern and divide half. (mark this) then measure the height of the printed pattern and divide in half. That will help you determine the center of the pattern too. Lay your background on top of your pattern, aligning/matching where the centers are marked to determine where the center of the block is.
Delete