EXPLODING PINEAPPLE BLOCK
Posted By drsao on August 23, 2009
Sheddy taught us how to make an Exploding Pineapple Block – at least I think that is what it is called!
First you start with two 3 1/2″ fabric squares (you may want to use one light and one dark for a good contrast.) I am assuming that you can start with whatever size square you want – but let’s say you start with a 3 1/2″ square – OK. On the wrong side of one of the fabrics, draw two diagonal lines from corner to corner – making an X. Put the TWO different fabrics “pretty-sides” together and stitch 1/4″ all around the edges.
Stitch 1/4 " all around the square
Next you start at the center and cut on the drawn lines. Make sure that you cut ONLY through ONE of the fabrics – the one that you drew the X on! 
Cut on the lines that you drew
Press the corners out – and VOILA – you have just made the EASIEST SQUARE IN A SQUARE imaginable - or theoretically you might want to call this the first Pineapple Square (I would have called this the first Pineapple Round – but you know, that COULD get confusing calling it a round when it is REALLY a square!!)
OK – so you can now cut off the “ears” and square it if you like!
First Pineapple Square
Add the third fabric square - marked with an X
Cut on the X on the third fabric....
Voila
Keep adding fabric squares and repeating the process
Keep adding new fabric squares.....
Stop when the block is the size you like.....
Sheddy says that you can make a quilt top with these blocks in one day! It looks like fun. Joy made this in a very short time at VA Scrappers on Saturday!
Very cleaver…
Look like you had a great weekend.
Wow, I found your site while looking for a pineapple quilt pattern. This is a wonderful tutorial. Thank you for sharing! Can’t wait to get started.
(no blog)
Brenda in Texas
this is just the best!!!!!
Thanks for the great tutorial. I have put a link to you on my freebies blog if that is okay…hugs Khris
SURE KHRIS – glad you found it useful!
I was sent a version of this and it made no sense to me with your great tutorial it was just plain easy and fun. Thanks
We’re doing an exploding pineapple quilt at our next quild meeting, and I had no idea what this pattern was or what it looked like. Thanks so much fot the pattern. I can now make a block befor I go and look like I know what I am doing. Thanks again.
Thank u for posting this. It looks dead easy! which is how
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I like things
Wow,,that is so cool and easy..Thank-you
Hi, thanks so much for sharing this great tutorial…..I’ve made a couple of them up into blocks now, and love it. I have one question and one tip to ask/share. The question is, when I tried starting with a smaller square (1 & 1/2″) to make a pincushion, when I got to putting the 3rd row or my 2nd lot of stitching, the 3rd fabric completely covered the 1st one…do you know why this is? and is there a minimum size that you should start the exploding pineapple off at? And my tip, is when you have the next square cut out and marked up with the diagonal lines, fold the fabric in the centre (gently so as not to crease it too much) and make a tiny snip along one of the lines, so when you’ve sewn it and are about to make the cut out to the corners….it makes it so much simpler, and you shouldn’t cut through both layers then. I hope that came out clear…I can take pics if you like? Hugs Naomi the newbie quilter from Australia
You clever girl you!
Hi, this is a great tutorial! I’m glad I found it. I do have one question, though – maybe you have the answer. In traditional pineapple blocks, the points always show – with this method, the points are cut off (looks more like a snowball block in the centre). Would cutting subsequent squares larger (say by 1″?) and pinning so it poufs in the centre (like making a biscuit block for a quilt), work?? A friend and I were discussing this difference, and I thought some more, before writing this. Thanks for any input you or any of the ladies might have.
Hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Gerda in Alberta, Canada.
I enjoyed making these squares! It was so much fun…BUT..I have one question..please…I couldn’t keep mine square…as hard as I tried…they were not “square”..any hints? thanks so much!
Pretty cool sure beats the alternative .I plan on trying it Thanks Debbie Kelly
Can I tell you that I just LOVE you! I really didn’t want to do that paper piecing pineapple – too many P’s! I just wanted to use up some scraps and I loved the pineapple look with a black or a white. This is my first attempt at making a pineapple block and it took me less than 10 minutes – you rawk! I put your blog on facebook! Thank you so much!
Awesome! I made a block in less than 30 minutes and that included picking out fabric (scraps, yeah), cutting, sewing, marking, squaring up and ironing! I have a fabulous block and I am going to use this method to make a quilt to donate to the fundraiser at my work for the Los Angeles Childrens Hospital! Thank you so much!