Pineapple Rhapsody - Pieced 04/28/2016. Quilted 05/24/2016. Bound 06/04/2016.

Marty, looking for a quilt he would like me to make for him, saw this quilt in my Log Cabin Rediscovered by Machine by Brenda Brayfield. 

By the book, the pattern creates a 42" square quilt with traditional 6" blocks via paper piecing. I intend to make larger blocks, do regular piecing & add borders.

I was not previously acquainted with the pineapple quilt. I bit of research yielded all sorts of colors, sizes & piecing methods. Fascinating!

​PLANNING & PIECING

Jan 08: Needing a car detailer, I remember hearing of one here in Fleetwood. A couple of phone calls later, I met Marty & thus made a new friend & business acquaintance when I took my car by for an estimate. With an insurance claim involved, he has had to go above & beyond the ordinary. Quilt time.
Jan 14: When he came to get my car, I showed him some quilts & handed him some books. One quilt kept holding his attention so we knew this was going to be his in time. Practiced piecing a block and then watched several how to videos. Feeling more comfortable as I go.
Jan 15: Started this blog. Priced fabrics. Played with the placement of fabrics. The right light fabric will make this quilt. So far, I haven't found it. I thought finding a delicate blue on white would be easy but it isn't. I save $100 on this quilt shopping online but just lost 1 of my key fabrics to someone else. Aaaargh.
Jan 16: Ordered fabric.
Jan 17: Pieced a sample block using the technique in this Designs by Dianne video.
Jan 18: It has occurred to me that Wedding Ring digital quilting patterns should fit this quilt nicely. I found a number of options and have posted them with overlays for Marty to consider. I have my favorites so curious what he will like. So far our design tastes sync perfectly.
​Jan 28: The fabric is here.
Feb 24: Prewashed all the fabric.
Feb 25: Cut squares and enough strips to get started sewing.
Feb 26: Started piecing. Got the first round of white fabric added & trimmed.
Feb 27: Got the first round of blue added. Trimming.
Feb 28: Decided to go ahead do all the rounds on 4 blocks just to see how it will look. Done.
Mar 01: Four corner blocks are done except for their black corners.
Mar 02: Finished the corner blocks. Working on the remaining 8 center blocks & all 14 side blocks. I ordered fabric based on information in EQ7. Usually they estimate more than what is needed. I admit I am a bit nervous that I have enough of everything since I have not tried to calculate how many strips of each color I actually need.
Mar 03: Finished 2 full rounds. Have 2 to go.
​Mar 04: Persisting sluggishly.
Mar 05: Blue 3 is on & now needs pressing & trimming.
Mar 06: Trimmed.
​Mar 07: Adding last round of light. Marty selected Traditional DWR pattern set by Darlene Epp (Trillium House Designs). I've been sampling a couple of pattern sets & prefer this one by far.
Mar 08: Well darn. I am 2/3 of a 1.75" strip of light fabric short to complete the blocks. Can still can get a lot done while waiting on more fabric already ordered on Sunday. Bought the Traditional DWR Set.
Mar 09: Worked on IQ using pattern set to program the layout plan including border layouts. Needs tweaking but I have a working plan.
Mar 11: The light fabric is here. Been working on the blocks as I find the time.
​Mar 12: Prewashed new fabric.
Mar 13: Finished piecing the blocks except for black corners.
Mar 19: Finished trimming the blocks. Now need to add black corners. Quilted the sample I pieced back in Jan.
Apr 15: After a much too long break, I am adding the rest of the black corners...
Apr 16: The corners are on & the binding is made. Just needs pressing.
Apr 25: Full speed ahead until piecing is finished. Blocks are finished. Squaring blocks as I go & opening seams I have to match. One row done. The fabric is very forgiving as I press after matching points.
​Apr 26: Power was out most of the day but still got all the blocks squared and seams that need to be pressed open.
Apr 27: Finished sewing the rows. Next press rows and then sew 5 long seams to finish the quilt center. Sewed four & basted the 5th.
Apr 28: Quilt top is pieced!

Quilting

May 17: Prepping. Using wide backing. While pressing the backing, I noticed a streak about 1/4" by 2'. Strange since I pre-washed this fabric on Feb 24 with all the others, pressed front & back & refolded. Don't know how I missed it. As much as I don't like vertical backing seams, I will seam around this. Cut the seam.
May 18: Sewed the seam with acceptable results. Prepped. Loaded. Ready to quilt. IQ patterns need tweaking to be quiltable.
May 19: Finished programming the patterns in IQ. Design looks the same but vastly different technically. After a deep breath, I'll start quilting. A note: the time to sew this layout is minimal. The time to set up each block & pattern will take patience & time. I have plenty of both today. Quilting.
    My needle is skipping stitches. Need to take out & redo the top border after I adjust the needle. Well, that didn't help so I stitched the bottom section from left to right. That worked. It also means all other places on the borders programmed from L to R need to be switched.
May 20: Got the top borders done & turned the corners. Start on blocks tomorrow.
​May 21: This is HARD!
May 22: After 2 days of struggle, while I was napping,  I figured out what I need to do. Last 2 rows look so much better. After I finish, I am going back row by row & redoing them.
May 23: Finished the borders. Redoing sections that need it. Only one more day I hope.
May 24: Quilted !!!!!!! Attached binding.
​May 31: Started hand work.
Jun 04: Binding finished.
Jun 05: Marty stopped by to receive his quilt. He left a gift bag on the table. I forgot about it and didn't open it until long after he left. Oh, yes! Just the other night, I wanted to go to sleep to candle light but didn't dare. Now I can because these electric lights are on a timer.