PERFECT PINEAPPLES

This month we're getting to grips with the classic Pineapple block: your two bonus acrylic templates will help you make sure they're on point!

To create the rainbow Pineapple block as shown, cut out the fabrics as follows:

From the background fabric cut:

■ Four (4) inside triangles.

■ Four (4) trapezoids

for Round 2.

■ Four (4) trapezoids

for Round 4.

From the rainbow fabrics cut:

■ One (1) 21/2in centre square

■ Four (4) trapezoids

for Round 1.

■ Four (4) trapezoids

for Round 3.

■ Four (4) outside triangles.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TEMPLATES

Your template set is comprised of a triangle shape and a trapezoid shape. These will create an 8in finished square block. Each block consists of four rounds of progressively larger trapezoids, with an inner and outer set of triangles, all around a central square, as shown in Fig 1.

CUTTING OUT

1 Cut several strips of fabric to measure 11/2in wide for the trapezoid rounds.

2 Use the trapezoid template to cut your pieces out from the fabric strips. In order to cut the pieces you will need for round 1 and round 2, you must align the shorter top edge of the trapezoid with one long edge of the fabric strip.

3 Use your rotary cutter to trim both edges. Turn the template over, aligning the shorter top edge with the bottom of the strip, and then cut along the right edge of the strip. Continue working in this way across the entire strip.

4 To cut pieces for rounds 3 and 4, place the marked line of the trapezoid template along one long edge of the strip, and then proceed to cut using the same process that was detailed in step 3.

5 Use the triangle template to cut the inner triangles, aligning the marked line with the edge of the fabric. Use the same method to cut the outer triangles as before, aligning the bottom edge.

6 Use a regular quilting ruler to cut a 21/2in centre square for each block.

ASSEMBLING THE BLOCK

7 Sew inner triangles to either side of your central square. Press open. Then proceed to sew the remaining inner triangles to the other sides (Fig 2).

8 Begin sewing the trapezoids to the block. First sew the round 1 pieces, pressing each one before moving on to the next (Fig 3). Then sew rounds 2, 3 and 4 (Fig 4). Finally, sew the outer corners in order to complete the Pineapple block.