FANFARE

All these years of quiltmaking I have shied away from curve piecing on the machine.  A couple of times I have done a practice block then discarded my idea for the project.  The idea of matching up a concave curve to a convex curve with seam allowances seemed to be more than I wanted to conquer at the time.  Since now I quilt only to satisfy my creative urges and as a learning experience, it is time for curved piecing.

This is what I have learned:

#1:  An accurate pattern is imperative.  I discovered that even 1/16th of an inch error can mess things up.  I'm sure there are very good patterns in the marketplace; but I'm old school and design and draft my own patterns.  I have confidence in my mathematical and drafting skills, but had to tweak my orginal pattern.

#2:  Practice does make perfect (well, almost!).  After doing the curved seam sixteen times for these four blocks, I feel confident and even found it easy. Granted, these are 5 1/2 inch blocks, so the curve is relatively shallow; therefore a smaller block may not be as easy.

#3:  Not sure I am ready to tackle a 4 inch-New York Beauty block yet, but who knows.  I may be harboring false confidence!!

When I finished the top, I wasn't that fond of the design.  Now that it is quilted and finished, I'm liking it better.  Guess it proves the old adage -- "It's not a quilt until it is quilted."

The Stats:  Fanfare, 2021, 28" x 28", Paper pieced fans, machine pieced curves, machine quilted.

SCALLOPED PINEAPPLE

Sometimes I just want to make a small quilt with a traditional pattern that to me is always fun to make.  A pineapple block is one of those blocks.  I think this is my third quilt project using it -- this time in the format of a table runner. 

The Stats:  "Scalloped Pineapple", 2021, 18" x 36", Paper pieced, Machine quilted.

This is the first quilt I have quilted on my new Bernina.  The learning curve has taken me a couple of weeks, but it is going well now.  Everything is in a different place from my old machine; so my muscle memory must be getting old, or is a slow learner! I kept pushing the wrong buttons at the wrong time. The Bernina produces beautiful stitches with the perfect tension, however.

The name for my table runner comes from one of my family's favorite dishes -- Scalloped Pineapple.  I received the recipe from a coworker at my first government job back in 1961.  That was a long time ago, and over the years we have enjoyed it as a side dish with ham or turkey at holidays or with any family meal.  It is also good to take to potlucks.  The leftovers are even good cold right out of the refrigerator for breakfast the next day!

Scalloped Pineapple

4 egg yolks, beaten; 1/2 cup sugar; 3 1/2 cups crushed pineapple with juice; 5 slices of sandwich bread, cubed; 1/2 cup melted butter.  Mix all ingredients, put in greased baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

OR

Make a quilt with the traditional pineapple block --- and call it Scalloped Pineapple!