The Pineapple Pity Party is over. It was good for me to write that post yesterday, because it was like a kick in the pants. As I was finishing the post, I started to think that it wouldn’t be that big of a deal to see what I was facing and possibly make a few more blocks. So, I went upstairs (the DSL still isn’t working up there, so I am racing up and down the stairs all day) and laid out all the blocks on the floor. This exercise coincided with some furniture moving, so it wasn’t an ideal situation.
The piece isn’t as big as I thought it was going to be. Certainly, it covers the floor, but that is it. I wasn’t able to get a picture of the whole thing, which means you can’t get the whole effect, but I think you can get the idea.
I looked at all the blocks and compared them to their neighbors and came up with a catalog of problems.
Top right block too big – way too big.
Top block way too big.
Too big again.
I have a plan of action, however, and I am happy about that.
- Make two new blocks: one center and one border and see how they compare to others.
- Try to figure out what exactly the problem is.
- Compare blocks to each other and sew as many together as possible.
- Remake blocks as necessary.
- Make pillows out of unusable blocks 😉
Let me start by saying that the laid out blocks are STUNNING! I am so glad you went the extra step (running up and down stairs) to show us how great it looks!
In the 2nd photo – it looks like the 2 blocks on the top and the lower right block are all the same size, it looks like the lower left is the one which doesn’t fit. Of course if all of your blocks match this smaller size then it looks like pillow shams might be in your future.
Did you figure out the problem, I’m sure you have measured the “finished strip” width. Any ideas?
I hope you figure it out because, you are SOOOO CLOSE!
😀 eirdre
Hubby looked at these blocks. We measured it, using your photo and that is all that we are seeing wrong.
You either sewed with a different width/seam allowance, or you cut the strips differently from block to block. The photo with the four blocks on it show the top two blocks have wider strips. Did you change feet, machine, or ruler from block to block?
Glad you are not giving up though. It will still be a stunning quilt when done!
Deirdre: Thanks for reading and thanks for your support. There are several blocks that are the same size or very close. My teacher (of the Pineapple class) has faith that i can make them fit. The others, though, may have to be remade. I used the same everything: machine, feet, ruler. The only thing I changed was the iron. I am forging ahead and we will see.
Sherry & Sherry’s Hubby: WOW! Thanks! I am pretty sure all the strips are the same, but now I will go back and check to make sure. will I be able to ‘fess up if I really cut the strips wrong? Thanks again!
a different iron eh? Do you use steam or dry iron? Perhaps if steam, one iron steams more or less than the other? It may have been the way you photographed it but we measured it and it showed a slight difference in strip width. Just a tiny difference but added over and over again, it would account for the larger blocks.
I always use steam for pressing fabric, but am using a dry iron to press these blocks. This iron is much hotter than my old iron, though.
You are absolutely right in that slight difference in the width of the seam could have a huge effect on the blocks, since there are so many seams.
I am planning to go back and measure the strips in the larger blocks to see if I cut them wrong. I just haven’t done it yet.
As usual, thanks for reading!