The Giant Pineapple Quilt Instructions
I’m often asked about the giant pineapple quilt because it’s part of two trunk shows. It is really an enjoyable quilt to make and it goes together quickly.
I had seen many different pieced pineapple blocks and I created this one by combining the features I liked best from other people’s designs. So I wouldn’t really say it’s original, although I think it’s rather unique. It’s about 51″ x 68″ which makes a nice throw.
I started with 10″ squares of assorted yellows and golds, assorted greens and assorted lights for the background. The yellows and golds need to be strong enough to contrast with the background fabrics.
PRINTER-FRIENDLY PDF of this free quilt pattern
Put both groups of fabrics up on a vertical surface and audition them from across the room to check for contrast. Eliminate those yellows and golds that don’t contrast strongly with the background fabrics.
The whole quilt is just quarter-square triangles (QST).
You’ll want to make some extra QST, so here is an estimate of how many 10″ squares you’ll need.
20 to 25 assorted deep yellow and gold squares, 10″ x 10″
8 to 10 assorted green squares, 10″ x 10″
25 to 30 assorted lights, 10″ x 10″
You will need to make these blocks:
16 QST that are all yellow
4 QST half yellow and half light
4 QST all green
6 QST half green and half light
18 QST all light
Pair up two 10″ squares.
Using a quarter-inch marking ruler, draw lines 1/4″ out from each side of the diagonal center on the wrong side of one square as shown.
With the two 10″ squares right sides together, sew on both of the marked lines. I used contrasting thread for visibility in the photos, but you’d use neutral-colored thread. Press to set the seams.
Cut between the lines as shown.
Open out each pair and press the seam to one side. Repeat with another pair of 10″ squares.
Take two different triangle-squares and layer them right sides together as shown above. The seams should be on top of each other.
Check to be sure the seams line up nicely. Then mark one of the squares on the wrong side as you did before, with the marked lines opposing the seamlines. Now you can make a choice.
If you sew on both of the lines, you’ll have two matching QST. I usually sew on just ONE of the lines, and then I pair the remaining triangles with different fabrics so that I get more scrappy QST.
Square up the blocks as needed, keeping the intersection of seams in the middle. It doesn’t really matter what size your blocks come out to be, as long as they’re all the same. They only have to fit with each other!
Make the number of QST blocks needed in each color combination as listed above.
Refer to the list of blocks above and to the quilt photo. Arrange the blocks as shown to form the pineapple. Sew the blocks into rows. Sew the rows together. Quilt as desired. Bind the quilt.
My pineapple is quilted with an allover Orange Peel-type pattern. The quilting was done by Jessica Grassman at Quilter’s Nook in Superior, Nebraska.
If you make a pineapple quilt with this method, please send me a photo using diane@stashbandit.net. Thank you!
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Tags: free quilt pattern, free quilt patterns, helpful how-tos, pineapple quilt, scrap quilts
Jean
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I LOVE this pineapple block! Thank you!
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Diane Harris
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It’s my pleasure, Jean. You’re most welcome.
Julie
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I like your pineapple but yellow is not something I buy much of. Don’t know why, I like yellow. Probably if I started digging, I might find more that what I think maybe?
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Sandi Griepenstroh
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I absolutely love this! It’s on my to do list, for sure! Thanks.
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Beth T.
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This is wonderful–using qst is perfect, rather than the hst we sometimes see that just don’t give the texture of a pineapple as much. And throw size!! Thank you so much for sharing, especially with such clear, straight-forward directions.
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Rayna Larson
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Just got an invite to a baby shower and there are a lot of pineapple stuff on the registry. I’m going to try for a baby quilt.
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Diane Harris
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That’s a great idea! I’d love to see photos, Rayna. Best wishes for a great result!
Lesa Hinton
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Love this! Your directions are well-written and easy to follow. I’m headed to my local quilt store for similar fabrics and may add another round or two of light colored blocks for a larger finished quilt. Thank you!
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Diane Harris
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Hi Lesa, I’d love to see how your pineapple progresses!! I’m tickled pink that you like it. 😊
Polly
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Love this pattern. I bought 5 inch yellows and greens. Do you think they would work with this pattern, just double the numbers?
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Diane Harris
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Hi Polly, there will be quite a lot of adaptations needed but you could try it with one unit and see how it goes! 😊