Hi everyone!
It’s Fran from Cotton and Joy with the first block on my HSTs 3 Ways series – the Pinwheel block. The Pinwheel Quilt Block is an ideal block for beginners!
It’s perfect for summer time, holidays or any occasion, depending on the colors you choose. Want something for summer? Go with patriotic colors. Want something for the holidays? Use white and reds for a look reminiscent of candy canes and peppermints.
While I love those mockups today’s block uses more spring-y fabric. This block finishes at 12” and here’s what you’ll need to make it –
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[8] 4” x 4” in background fabric
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[2] 4” x 4” squares in four different colors
Instructions
Method
1. Using this tutorial make four HSTs in each color, for a total of 16 HSTs four in each color.
2. Start making each pinwheel unit by sewing two HSTs together, making sure the HSTs are facing the correct direction. Press seam open or towards the left HSTs. Do this twice.
3. Align the two rows so the middle seam lines up, nesting together if seams were pressed to the side. Sew the top unit to the bottom unit. If necessary, trim your block to 6.5” square.
4. Repeat steps 2-5 with remaining colors.
5. Sew full block together with pinwheel units in a 2 x 2 arrangement. If necessary, trim your block to 12.5” square.
Isn’t this block so fun? I love how quickly it comes together and how different it can look with some quick fabric change ups!
So what can you do with one block? So many things! All the things! Here are 3 quick ideas:
Table Runner: use 3 blocks, plus four 2.5” x 12.5” strips, and two 2.5” x 44.5” strips.
Pillow Cover: upsize the block by using 6” squares instead of 4” for a 20” x 20” block, perfect for a pillow cover.
Baby Quilt: upsize the block by using 6” squares instead of 4” for a 20” x 20” block. Add two 2.5” x 20.5” strips, and one 2.5” x 42.5” strip.
Hope you enjoy this fun tutorial! I’ll be back later with the second block in the series 🙂