How to Make a Pineapple Quilt Block – Full Quilt Tutorial

If you’ve ever admired the intricate look of a Pineapple quilt block but felt too intimidated to try it, you’re not alone—I felt the same way! But once I gave it a go, I was surprised by how simple the process actually is. In this step-by-step tutorial, I’ll show you exactly how to create your own Pineapple quilt block using batik fabrics (or quilting cotton if you prefer), along with helpful tips to save time and reduce fabric waste. Whether you’re making just one block or a whole quilt, this tutorial will walk you through each round with ease and confidence.

For this tutorial I am going to be using up some batiks that I have had in my stash for quite a while now, waiting for just the right pattern to come along.

We purchased the fabric from our friend Chris who traveled to Bali regularly to buy Batik fabric. She had such exquisite taste in design and colour and it was always hard to choose from the range she provided. Sadly Chris is no longer with us and I like to think of this quilt as a tribute to her. You may remember Chris from our Interview with a longarm quilter.

Materials

We had a lot of batik scraps but not enough yardage for the contrasting fabric. A quick search online led us to Batik Fabrics Online. We needed the fabric to arrive quickly and were delighted with the quick turnaround from them. So a big thank you to Ruth for her excellent customer service. And if you are looking for Batik fabric for a project here in OZ then make sure to check out the range.

• A large range of scraps – Batik or Quilting Cotton
• about 5 metres of contrasting fabric – we used black batik

Quilt Size – 60½” x 70½”

We made the 10″ finished block and created 42 blocks – 6 x 7 arrangement.

Tools Used in this Tutorial

• Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool
• Olfa Rotary Cutter 60mm
• Creative Grids 8-1/2in x 24-1/2in Ruler
• Creative Grids 6-1/2in x 12-1/2in Ruler
• Olfa Rotating Cutting Mat
• Blade Saver Thread Cutter
• Fiskars Cutting Mat 24″x36
• Cricut Self Healing Cutting Mat
• Juki 2010QP Sewing Machine
• Panasonic NI-WL600 Cordless Iron
• Flexispot Pro Sit/Stand Desk – US link
• Flexispot Pro Sit/Stand Desk – AU Link (not an affiliate link)
• FlexiSpot C7 Ergonomic Chair: USA

You can also find our updated favourite quilting tools on our Quilting Tools We Use page.

Watch the step-by-step video below or scroll down for written instructions

(Can’t see the video? You may have an adblocker installed. Watch on YouTube here.)

Method

Step 1 – Cut the Centre Square

Cut a precise 2½” x 2½” square for the centre of the block. I have used the same colour for my centre square for all the blocks in my quilt. However, you can use contrasting or random colours. A bold colour works beautifully.

Step 2 – Add Round 1 – Contrasting Strips

Cut four strips of black fabric – we cut ours at 2” wide and slightly longer than the sides of the center square. In hindsight we should have gone with strips measuring 1¾” in order to reduce wastage. The result would have been the same as the blocks trim back to the same size regardless of the the strip width.

💡 TIP: You might want to make these strips narrower but no less than 1¾”— see the tips section at the end for more on reducing fabric waste.

• Sew two strips to the opposite sides of the square using a ¼” seam.
• Press seams outward.
• Sew the remaining two strips and press outward again.

Step 3 – Trim Round 1

I am using the Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool. It certainly made the whole process quick and easy.

• Locate the square marked “Round 1” Centering Square, on the ruler.
• Line it up on the center block.

• Trim the four sides by rotating the mat or you can rotate the block between cuts.

Step 4 – Add Round 2 -Colored Strips

• Cut strips of assorted coloured fabrics – we cut at 2″ but you could cut smaller to reduce waste. Don’t go any less than 1¾”.

• Sub-cut into pieces that are slightly longer than the block. When sub-cutting note that they don’t need to be cut perfectly—just a bit longer than the width of your block. Watch the video above to see this in action.

• Sew one strip to each side of the block, just like you did in Round 1.
• Press all seams outward.
• Repeat for all your blocks (I made 42 total for my quilt).

Step 5 – Trim Round 2

• Find the “Round 2” square on your ruler.

• Place it on your center square and line up the lines on the ruler with your square.
• Trim two sides.

• Turn the mat and trim the remaining two sides.

Step 6 – Add Round 3 – Black Strips

• Sew four black strips to the sides of the block.
• Press outward.

Step 7 – Trim Round 3

There’s no square for Round 3 on the ruler. To make this cut we are going to use the white guideline marked 3, 5, 7 on the ruler.

• Line the white line up under the triangle points of your block.
• Trim all four sides.

Step 8 – Add Round 4 – Colored Strips

• Sew four colored strips around the block.
• Press and repeat for all blocks.

Step 9 – Trim Round 4

• Use the Round 4 square on your ruler.

• Line it up on the center square and trim all sides.

Step 10 – Add Round 5 – Black Strips

• Add black strips as before.
• Press seams outward.

Step 11 – Trim Round 5

Use the white line as in Round 3:

• Align it just under the triangle.
• Trim all four sides.

Step 12–14: Continue Building Your Block

• Round 6: Coloured strips → trim using Round 6 square.
• Round 7: Black strips → trim using white line.
• Round 8: Coloured strips → two trims are needed for this this round:
  • Find the Round 8 square on the ruler

• Trim the block as usual using the Round 8 Square.

• Then trim again using the white line along the seam line.

Step 15: Final Round: Add “Rabbit Ears”

Cut four pieces at 2½” x 4” and sew one to each side using a ¼” seam.

Final Trim to complete the block:

• Line up the Round 8 center square to do the final trim on all four sides.

Your block should now measure 10½” unfinished.

Time-Saving & Fabric-Saving Tips

✂️ TIP 1: Strip Piecing

If all your blocks use the same center color, sew long strips of center and contrast fabrics together, then sub-cut into 2½” units. Watch the video above to see this in action.

🧵 TIP 2: Chain Piecing

Sew multiple blocks in a production line style to speed up the process.

✂️ TIP 3: Adjust Strip Widths

The narrower your strips, the less fabric waste. However, please note that 1¾” is the minimum workable width, so don’t make your strips any narrower than 1¾”.

🔄 TIP 4: Batch Your Rounds

Sew all blocks for each round before trimming. It saves time and helps you stay consistent.

🔢 TIP 5: Track Your Rounds

Forget which round you’re on? Count outwards from the center square (NOTE: don’t count the center square). Watch the video above to see this in action.

🔧 TIP 6: Resize Your Blocks

We have used the 10″ finished block size for this tutorial, but you can also make 6” or 8” blocks using the same ruler.

🔁 TIP 7: Use a Rotating Mat

A rotating cutting mat makes trimming much easier—but if you don’t have one, spin your fabric or regular mat instead.

So what are my Final Thoughts

Well I certainly love how the quilt turned out. The Pineapple quilt block is a rewarding project that looks impressive and is totally doable especially with the Creative Grids Pineapple ruler.

There is quite a lot of waste involved.That doesn’t bother us as we use up scraps in crumb quilting and other projects. But if this sort of thing does bother you then this is definitely not a project you will enjoy.

I hope this step-by-step guide helps make the process easier for you

Let me know in the comments if you try this out — or share your fabric choices. Happy quilting 🧵

And here is the final quilt top complete.