The Pine Burr design is also known as the Pinecone, Target or Bullseye block and Cuckleburr in the south. It is the state of Alabama's state quilt block. The “Pinecone Patchwork” derives its name from the long leaf pinecone, when looking at the bottom of a pinecone you can find this design. The elders of the past and present weave these beautiful designs in quilts while hosting quilting bee’s in their communities. Today the Lumbee Princesses wear the Pinecone Patchwork insignia on their traditional regalia's during Pow-wows across the Nation.
Getting Started
An old flat bed sheet is used for the base. Hundreds of little 5 inch squares are folded twice to make a triangle and then sewn onto the sheet. Each triangle overlaps another and is sewn to the sheet in a circular pattern. The entire quilt is made in one’s lap The quilts are useful for cold nights in northern Florida because they are heavy. Pine cone quilts can weigh anywhere from 17 lbs. to 28 lbs. depending on the size.
Materials
A 60 x 60 quilt or larger I use at least 15 different fabric pattern designs or more. I start with buying at least 3 yards of each fabric that I like. therefore 15 fabric designs times 3 yards each = 45 yards of fabric to start. Plus, I always have a stash of fabric at home.
Miss Sue made The Cuckleburrel Quilt in her lap and it gets very heavy as it nears completion. Hours were spent ripping or cutting fabric into little squares which were then folded and hand sewn onto a sheet one piece at a time. The colors are arranged by mixing the pieces in a cardboard box when fabric becomes available. All the fabric is not gathered at once. Sometimes she had to wait for weeks before she could start sewing again because there were no more useful scraps in the house. She did not plan the colors but carefully selected each piece and somehow would get the colors to blend and match. Each quilt is uniquely different. She also stopped for days at a time to sew something easier because her fingers became sore and cut from pushing the needle through so much cloth. Her shoulders also became tired and sore from turning the quilt in her lap as it got heavier.
Well over 2200 - 5" squares need to be cut or ripped to make a quilt. Tools - A long 3 1/2 “ doll needle is needed an old sheet, scissors, pins, ruler, pencil and #10 crochet cotton for the thread. A lot of Patience and time.
Back of Quilt
Working on Quilt
