DIY Pineapple Pillows

The pineapple, indigenous to the Americas, maintains an exotic reputation.

A pineapple pillow, placed in the living room or on the bed in a spare bedroom, welcomes guests with a centuries-old symbol of hospitality. The symbolism goes back to early colonial America, when the fruit was so rare and expensive that its presence on the table meant the host had gone above and beyond for his guests. Pineapple pillows also add a whimsical touch to tropical, tiki or beach-themed rooms or parties.

Things You'll Need

• Newsprint paper
• Scissors
• Yellow fabric
• Straight pins
• Green fabric
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Knitting needle or skewer
• Cotton batting
• Needle and thread

Instructions

1. Sketch the outline of a pineapple, using a photo as a guide, on a piece of newsprint. The finished pillow will be about 2 inches smaller than the outline. Cut out the pineapple shape.

2. Fold the yellow fabric in half so that the inside faces out and the folded edge is on the bottom. Lay the bottom half of the paper pineapple over the fabric so the top of the rounded area meets the top edges of the fabric; the spiky leaves will extend past it. Pin the paper to the fabric and cut around the pattern. Remove the pins and set the cut fabric aside.

3. Fold the green fabric and pin it to the paper pattern, this time covering the top half of the pattern. Cut out the spiky leaves and remove the pins.

4. Line up the bottom of one green cutout and the top of one yellow cutout along the straight edge with the insides of the fabric facing out. Pin the pieces together. Stitch the pieces together along the straight edge, 1/4 inch from the edge. Repeat with the other pair of yellow and green pieces.

5. Iron the backs of the two pineapple shapes so the seams lay flat.

6. Lay the two pineapple halves together with the inside facing out. Pin around the edges. Sew 1/4 of an inch from the edge all the way around the the shape, leaving 2 inches open.

7. Turn the pillow right side out through the opening. You may need to use a knitting needle or skewer to push the spiky leaves into shape. Fill the pillow with cotton batting.

8. Sew the opening shut with a hand stitch.

Tips & Warnings

• Your paper pineapple pattern is reusable -- use it to make as many pillows as you like.

• You can mix up the colors or use your favorite fabric prints to match your decor.

• For even simpler pineapple pillows, use just one color fabric for the whole pineapple.

References

• Pineapple History; Social History of the Pineapple; Hoag Levins
• The Handmade Home; DIY: A Patchwork Lumbar Pillow; July 2011