My focus in 2024 has been to make progress with quilts that I've had on my 'to do' list for years. I had planned to work on two of those quilts at the Jane Stickle retreat a couple of weeks ago but progress was made with only one quilt.
I spent the entire retreat piecing pineapple blocks using the foundation paper piecing method. Pineapple blocks take a l o n g time. I actually thought I could piece the 49 blocks I needed in 4 days! That did not happen. 😞 I didn't quite complete 20 blocks but they have been finished since I returned home.
I purchased the foundation papers from Gigi's Thimble. Gigi had a sew along in 2022 but I wasn't aware of it. I thought her quilt was beautiful when I stumbled across it. Of course it was in blues, how could I resist? Then I ordered the foundation papers.
I was surprised when the papers arrived. The pattern was printed on ordinary white paper, just like what I would run through my printer. Normally paper used for foundation paper piecing is a lighter weight paper, easier to tear for removal, less apt to make the edge seams come undone.
The paper will not be removed from the back of the blocks until all the blocks are pieced. I'll work on and off this spring/summer to sew the last 29 blocks.
Surprisingly there were several pineapple quilts under construction at the retreat. One retreater was using the large ruler. She was frustrated when she couldn't get the blocks squared right. That is why I was foundation paper piecing. Another retreater was using the small ruler, her block ended up in the trash, she was going to use paper for the rest of her blocks. There were several pineapples in progress using small paper pieced blocks, I think they were a Bonnie Hunter pattern. My blocks are larger, I want this quilt finished in my lifetime.
The second quilt I had planned to sew blocks for was Garden Party, a Bonnie Hunter quilt from her Addicted to Scraps book. That kit will live in the retreat bag until next November.
I did take an embroidery project along which was embroidered during Show & Tell. I'll show you when it's completed.
Linking to Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle & Thread Thursday, Put Your Foot Down, TGIFF!, Finished or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Patchwork & Quilts