Holy moly, it’s a pineapple dress! All summer I wanted to make one, and after debating stamping and stenciling, I used printable pineapples and iron-on transfer paper to create the dress of my dreams. I’d never used iron-on transfers before and was nervous about the outcome, but I’m thrilled with how it turned out. I started with a simple cotton dress and embellished it with my favorite motif—perfect for summer parties. Here’s how to make your own.
FYI I’m never taking this dress off…
…no, really.
Supplies:
– Cotton or cotton-blend dress (I bought a simple one and it worked perfectly)
– Pineapple printables (printable files sized for iron-on transfers)
– Iron-on transfer paper
– Iron and ironing board
– Scissors
– Painter’s tape (optional, for positioning)
Notes: I adjusted the printable to fit my dress and ended up using about 20 pineapples (two sheets). You can use colored or single-color versions depending on the look you want. The key is sizing the printables to match the scale of your dress before printing.
Print the pineapple designs onto your iron-on transfer paper following the manufacturer’s instructions. Trim each pineapple closely—avoid leaving a wide white border unless that’s part of your design. To determine the placement, put the dress on and use painter’s tape to mark where each pineapple should go. Carefully remove the dress and lay it flat on the ironing board. For each pineapple, flip it so the printed side faces down onto the fabric.
Iron each pineapple according to the transfer paper instructions. For my paper I used firm, even pressure for about 20–30 seconds. After ironing, let the transfer cool for two to three minutes before peeling the backing away. Peel slowly and carefully to ensure the design adheres smoothly.
Repeat the ironing process for each pineapple, taking care not to touch any already-finished transfers with the hot iron. Work methodically from one side to the other to avoid shifting placements.
Once all the pineapples are applied, try the dress on and make any small adjustments you like. This technique works well with many shapes and symbols, so you can customize garments with hearts, stars, florals, or any motif you prefer.
Pineapple printable by Striped Cat Studio. Photos by Studio DIY.
With only a month left of summer, I finally made my pineapple dress a reality. I’m excited to try this method with different shapes and designs—the process is simple, and the most time-consuming part was finding the right plain dress. What DIY dress ideas would you like to see next?
Psst… that straw is amazing. It was a gift, but it’s the kind of fun detail that elevates any summer look.