Pineapple Quilt Tutorial: Jenny Doan's Easy Strip-Piecing Method

📐 Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool — the ruler that makes this whole project possible. Shop Creative Grids rulers.

🧵 5" squares (charm pack) — for the center of each block. One charm pack gives you plenty of center squares. Shop precut fabrics.

🎀 1½" strips — background color — one set of skinny strips or honey bun in a neutral/white. These form the "light" rounds.

🎀 1½" strips — colored/dark — one set of skinny strips in coordinating colors. These form the "dark" rounds. Shop precuts.

✂️ Rotary cutter & cutting mat — Shop rotary cutters.

🪡 Sewing machine with a ¼" foot

🔥 Iron and ironing board — you'll be pressing after every round

Step 1: Prepare Your Center Square

Start with a 5" charm square for the center of your block. Take a 2½" ruler and cut the square in half in both directions, giving you four 2½" squares. You'll only need one 2½" square for the center of each block.

This center square is the heart of your pineapple block — pick a bold print or solid that will pop when surrounded by the concentric strip rounds.

Step 2: Add the First Round (Background)

Take your background (white) 1½" strips and sew one to each of the four sides of the center square. Here's the process:

1. Lay a strip along one side of the center square, right sides together
2. Sew with a ¼" seam, then trim the strip flush with the square
3. Press open
4. Repeat on the opposite side, then the remaining two sides

The pattern throughout is: color, white, color, white — alternating between your colored strips and background strips for each round.

Jenny adds strips to all four sides, building the pineapple block outward round by round.

Step 3: Trim With the Pineapple Tool (Round 1)

Here's where the magic happens! Place the Pineapple Trim Tool on your block, centering it over the center square. The tool has lines marked for each round — for round 1, line up the appropriate markings and trim all four sides.

This trimming step is what creates the angled edges that give the pineapple its distinctive look. Don't worry if your strips aren't perfectly aligned — the trimming makes everything come out right!

Step 4: Add the Color Round

Now add your colored 1½" strips to all four sides, just like you did with the background strips. Sew, trim, press, and repeat on all four sides.

Then trim again using the Pineapple Trim Tool — this time lining up the round 2 markings. Each round of the tool corresponds to one round of strips.

The key insight: for odd-numbered rounds (1, 3, 5, 7), you line up the block on the tool's square markings. For even-numbered rounds (2, 4, 6), you line up on the diamond markings. The tool tells you exactly where to trim!

Step 5: Continue Building Rounds

Keep alternating: background strips → trim → color strips → trim. With each round, your block grows larger and the pineapple pattern becomes more defined. Most blocks have 7 rounds total (3–4 of each color plus background).

As the block gets bigger, you can press two seams at a time by cutting on either side. The larger the block, the faster each round goes!

Watch the pineapple block come to life as each round adds more depth and color!

Step 6: Make Multiple Blocks and Assemble

For a full quilt, you'll need multiple pineapple blocks. Here's a guide for common sizes:

Sew your blocks together in rows, pressing seams in alternating directions. The pineapple pattern creates a gorgeous secondary design where the blocks meet — octagonal shapes that seem to float on the background.

Step 7: Quilt and Bind

Layer your finished top with batting and backing. The concentric pattern of the pineapple block lends itself beautifully to quilting in the ditch along the strip seams, or try a simple all-over meander for a softer look.

Add your binding and you're done! The pineapple quilt is one of those designs that gets compliments everywhere it goes — and only you'll know how easy it really was.

💡 The trim tool is essential: While you can make a pineapple block without it, the Pineapple Trim Tool makes accuracy almost automatic. It's worth the investment if you plan to make more than a few blocks.

💡 Press after every round: Consistent pressing is the secret to flat, accurate blocks. Press seams open or to one side — just be consistent throughout your block.

💡 Use a strong contrast: The pineapple pattern is most dramatic with high contrast between your background and colored strips. A crisp white background with bold jewel tones creates a stunning effect.

💡 Cover the center seam: As Jenny emphasizes, the most important thing on each round is that your strip covers the center seam line of the previous round. Don't worry about reaching the edges — just cover that seam!

💡 Batch your work: If making multiple blocks, sew the same round on all blocks before moving to the next round. This assembly-line approach is much faster than finishing one block at a time.