FRUIT SALAD SAL: WEEK 4 – PINEAPPLES

Did you guess right?! It’s PINEAPPLE TIME! This week is even more fun, because the FRUIT SALAD book has *TWO* versions – PINEAPPLE FIELDS and PINEAPPLE PICNIC.

PINEAPPLE FIELDS

First, let’s start with the PINEAPPLE FIELDS quilt, which is the classic yellow and green colorway with 21 pineapple blocks and alternating leaves to really bring that tropical feeling alive! And yes, they look good enough to eat…almost.

I have to tell you a funny story… when I was first designing this block and more importantly, the leaves, I sent it over to my editor to take a look. She told me that the leaves categorically looked like stalks which made the pineapple look like chubby corn. LOLOL. I do believe that she was right so back to the drawing board I went. These fun leaves I came up with are SO MUCH better and feel like tropical pineapple leaves!

The sample is sewn up exclusively in my newest collection, FRUIT COCKTAIL, but I did whip up some alternative PINEAPPLE BUNDLES for the shop – using (15) 1/3-yard cuts in a variety of lovely prints and tones – to get you started on your own project! Bundles are limited, grab one HERE while you can! If you click on it and it is empty, that means we have sold out but we will try to make up a few more if possible. You can also of course put together your own grouping of greens, creams and yellows!

PINEAPPLE PICNIC

Now this one packs a PUNCH! These pineapples can be made up using a single honeybun [or other 1.5″ width scraps]! And who says pineapples can’t be multicolored? They are so bright and happy!

Hints of the Week

The assembly of the TROPICAL LEAF blocks aren’t tricky, but you do have to pay attention! Your [h] and [i] cuts need to be paired to match as you build the leaves from the bottom up… this is because you will be using the same fabric print in two separate sections in order to build the leaves. This will make sense as you begin reading over the pattern.

Also, as mentioned previously, the pineapple block works well with a honeybun precut or any set of scrappy 1.5″ strips in your choice of colors and combos! This is a great opportunity to search through your scraps to see what you might have. Most of us end up with plenty of scraps that could be useful in a 1 1/2″ wide piece. Mix and match to make your own warm and sunny quilt top!

Special Project

STAY TUNED for a *special* blog post TOMORROW detailing our latest project, featuring a single PINEAPPLE fruit block. You won’t want to miss it! Actually…I have a few surprises up my sleeve for this one! 😉

Meet the Maker

PINEAPPLE FIELDS was pieced by Megan Edgerton, while PINEAPPLE PICNIC was pieced by Cheryl Hadley. These scrappy, fun quilts were a true labor of love and I cannot thank these ladies enough for their hard work and wonderful piecing skills!

Today’s MEET THE MAKER feature is about my dear friend Cheryl! The FRUIT SALAD book is actually dedicated to her as she comes and sews with me every single week. If it’s a pattern I have released in the last decade… or more… chances are that Cheryl has sewn a sample block or two.

Tomorrow and Next Week

Last week’s blog post had an ENTER TO WIN on guessing this week’s fruit! If you are Judith McNabb… congrats! You’re our winner! Contact me at joanna@figtreequilts.com to claim your prize!

Our Facebook group is EXPLODING with inspirational FRUIT SALAD projects, be sure to join us HERE. We will debut our FIG TREE FRIEND feature of the week!

Just THREE more fruits to go: PEARS, APPLES, and ORANGES, before we work on assembly! Are you staying on track with your goals? Did you decide to do a single fruit quilt or are you venturing out to do the sampler?! Let me know what you are working on in the comments below!

Happy Quilting,

-Joanna