Pineapple Quilt Pattern

   This quilt pattern can be made as large or small, complicated or simple as you like.  It is similar to a log cabin style block, in that it starts with a central square and then grows larger by sewing stirps of fabric out from the middle. 
   I chose to break up the pattern into 3 color groups. Each blocks center and corners are the reds. The "X" shape that crosses diagonally through the block are my darks (blacks and navy blues).  The "+" shape that crosses horizontal/vertical are miscallaneous colors, so long it's not dark. This is to accentuate the contrast, which really makes the "pineapple" effect pop.
  I can't give exactly quantities of fabric needed, as this was all made out of my scrap fabrics.  It also would depend on what size project you want to make with this block.
   My finished quilt is comprised of 30 blocks each about 16 1/2 sq inches.  It start with a middle square that's 3 1/4" X 3 1/4".  I cut the strips
1 1/2" wide, and generally as long as possible. 
   Besides the fabric and your sewing machine, you will also need an iron, a rotary cutter, self healing matt, and a quilter's ruler (mine is 6" X 18"). 

Step 1: Cut the Center Square

Like I said, for my quilt, my center squares were 3 1/4" sq.  If you want smaller or larger center squares, feel free to do so. It won't effect the following instructions, it will change your final dimensions.  It is very important in this first step to make sure your corners are all perfect right angles, and the opposite sides are paralell.  My blocks always turn out a little wonky, but I find if I make sure I start out perfectly square, I am better off in the end.

Step 2:

Next, I start out with 4 strips of my misc. color group.  These strips are 1 1/2" wide.  To get the length, I lay the strips out like in the picture, and cut them about 1/2" longer than the center square on each side.  This measurement does NOT have to be exact, so long as it's longer than the edge of the square.

Step 3:

Take 1 of the 4 strips and place it right side down onto the center square, lining up on one edge. Sew along this edge with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Do the same thing with another strip on the opposite edge of the square.  Flip the square over and iron the seams open. Once that is done, your piece should look like the photo.

Step 4:

Repeat step 3 with the 2 remaining strips (don't forget to press your seams!).

Step 5:

You have now turned your initial center square into a larger square. Next, we want to turn it into an octogon.  Get the rotary cutter and quilter's ruler out and set your piece on the cutting matt.  We are going to cut off the corners of our larger square at a 45 degree angle using the markings on the ruler.  Look at the photo closely and see that I am leaving 1/4" of the light fabric between the center square corner and the edge of my ruler. That 1/4" will be used as seam allowance and only is needed in this step.     

Step 6:

This is what it will look like after cutting off 2 of the corners.  Proceed with the other 2, and use your quilter's ruler to make sure you are staying square.

Step 7:

Now we are going to sew our 4 dark strips onto the 45 degree corners we just cut.  Turn your peice so the square is standing on one of it's corners, so it's like a diamond.  Now lay out 4 strips of 1 1/4" wide dark fabric.  Again, cut them so they are about 1/2" longer on either side, than the edges they will be sewn to.

Step 8:

One at a time, line up the edge of the dark strip right side down, onto the piece and sew with 1/4" seam allowance.  It is no longer necessary to do one side then it's opposite and then press open the seams (that was just for the first layer). You do want to make sure, though, that once you're done with all 4 sides, that the seams are ironed open.

Step 9:

Bring the piece back to the cutting mat. Now we are cutting off the corners of the dark layer at a 45 degree angle from it's edges...which will be paralell to the original center square! To do this all you have to do is line up your ruler with the edge of the last misc. color layer (as shown in the photo).  You do want to use the marks on your ruler to make sure you're paralell to the center square and at a 45 degree angle the the dark strip seam.

Step 10:

From here, it's just those 2 processes repeated over and over.  Next, we will sew on a layer of misc. color strips and trim the corners off, then add a layer of dark strips and trim the corners off. 

Step 11:

Misc. color layer.

Step 12:

Center square with 2 layers of misc. color and 2 layers of dark strips.

Step 13:

Step 14:

Step 15:

I continue alternating layers until I have 7 strips of misc. color and 6 of dark fabric.  However many layers you want is totally up to you, depending on how big you want your blonk to be! To finish my block, I cut a red triangle for each corner.

Step 16:

After the triangles are sewn into the corners, the seams are pressed open and I take my quilter's ruler, and trim off the excess and square everything up.  This it the time when I make sure to cut each square to about 16 1/2" on each side.

Step 17:

Here is  a finished block.  You can make just one of these for practice, and turn it into an awesome pillow case! My final quilt was 30 blocks and fits a double size bed.  It seems like a complicated pattern, but once you get the technique down it's really pretty easy. I hope I've helped!