To go with the video tutorial I've put together a cheat sheet. It details my method of making pinwheels along with a handy reference chart with the quilt math to make pinwheels in all sorts of sizes. You can download a PDF version of the cheat sheet by clicking here. You can also 'Pin" the
Reducing bulk in Pinwheel Block seams is important for making a flat pinwheel quilt! Read this tutorial with pictures on how to get a flat pinwheel block!
Pinwheel quilt blocks are a fun and easy way to make your next quilting project unique. In this tutorial, I will show you how to create these blocks as well as discuss the following: what is a pinwheel quilt block, how to match points on pinwheel blocks, how to reduce bulk in pinwheel seams and how to press a pinwheel quilt block. Making a pinwheel quilt block is a great way to get started in the world of quilting.
To go with the video tutorial I've put together a cheat sheet. It details my method of making pinwheels along with a handy reference chart with the quilt math to make pinwheels in all sorts of sizes. You can download a PDF version of the cheat sheet by clicking here. You can also 'Pin" the
Discover all about the pinwheel quilt block and explore its numerous variations. Learn how to piece a simple pinwheel quilt pattern.
How to make 3D Prairie Point Pinwheel blocks + Baby Quilt Tutorial from Leanne of Devoted Quilter. Flying Geese-inspired pinwheel block.
To go with the video tutorial I've put together a cheat sheet. It details my method of making pinwheels along with a handy reference chart with the quilt math to make pinwheels in all sorts of sizes. You can download a PDF version of the cheat sheet by clicking here. You can also 'Pin" the
Sew up this Easy Pinwheel Quilt Block - RBD Block Challenge in no time with the free tutorial for this classic quilt block!
How many charm square packs do you have at home? I don’t collect charm squares, I don’t buy everything that is new or I like and still I have 4 charm packs! So if you don’t know how to use them, here is an idea: 3D pinwheels. You can make this design as scrappy as […]
Looking for an easy and beginner-friendly quilt pattern? Look no further, than this pinwheel quilt block. Find the instructions here.
This is one very special technique that yields many different blocks. Some of the blocks are even traditional blocks such as churn dash and monkey wrench. You can make them in different sizes. Lear…
I'd like to share with you how I used the Tri-Recs rulers to make the pinwheel blocks in the Pinwheels & Patchwork quilt (free pattern here.) And if you don't already have a set of these handy rulers, stay tuned to the end of the post for a chance to win a set from the Fat Quarter Shop! (giveaway has ended) I bought these Tri-Recs rulers years ago and then they sat for a looong time because I didn't know how to use them! Now that I know, they're super handy and you can do all sorts of fun blocks with them. Today I'm just showing the pinwheel block, but once you get the hang of them, you can start just creating! The pinwheel block for today is really just four triangle-in-a-square blocks that have been rotated and sewn together. Let's get started! First of all, cut a strip of fabric that is 6.5" x WOF (width of fabric). You can keep it folded (the way it comes off the bolt) and that way you'll be cutting two triangles at a time. Line up the "Tri" ruler on the strip of fabric as shown. That nice flat edge on the top of the ruler is helpful here! See how it lines up with the top of the fabric strip? Use a rotary cutter to cut out one triangle, then flip the ruler over and line it up along that just-cut edge. You're ready to cut another triangle! Keep going along the length of the strip of fabric, cutting out as many triangles as you need. For one block we only need 4 triangles. Next up we'll be cutting the side triangle pieces using the "Recs" ruler. Once again, cut a strip of fabric that is 6.5" x WOF. See that notch on the top left of the Recs tool? That notch will come in handy when you start piecing the block. So make sure you trim that notch from the fabric as you cut! Line up the ruler as shown, and cut one triangle. As before, flip the ruler over and cut another one. And then just keep flipping and cutting all the way down the length of the strip. For our one block you'll only need 8 of these side triangles. Time to sew! Arrange one triangle piece with two side triangles as shown. We'll sew one side first. Flip the side triangle over so the two pieces are right sides together. Notice the bottom corner of the triangle? That notch you cut in the side triangle piece helps you line it up with the larger triangle. The notch should line up with the bottom edge of the large triangle. Stitch along the side of the triangle with a 1/4" seam. Flip open the side triangle and press. I recommend pressing open. Now line up the second side triangle - making sure that notch at the bottom is lined up. Sew with a 1/4" seam. Flip open the second side triangle and press open. This triangle-in-a-square (TIS) block should measure 6.5" square. Repeat to make a total of 4 TIS blocks. Take a minute to trim off any little dog ears on each block. Arrange the four blocks as shown, taking note of how each one is rotated. Sew the top two blocks together, and the bottom two blocks together, with a 1/4" seam. Press seams open. Now sew the two block halves together, being careful to line up that center seam. Stitch and then press seam - this time press to one side. The finished block should measure 12.5" square. Fun block, right? Would you like to win a set of Tri-Recs rulers? Just leave a comment below, telling me one thing on your Summer bucket list. Giveaway ends Sunday July 2nd at midnight and I'll announce the winner here on Monday July 3rd. And thank you to the Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring the giveaway! International entries welcome, one entry per person please. Giveaway has ended - thank you! Want to see what else you can make with the Tri-Recs rulers?** Check out this pinterest board - filled with different ideas on what you can make using these two rulers! And don't forget to go here and download the free pattern for the Pinwheels & Patchwork quilt. Now that you know how to make the pinwheel blocks, this quilt's a breeze! **This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post.
Double Pinwheel Block Easy Scrappy Style – Tutorial For some time I’ve been thinking about a Double Pinwheel and how to make this in an easier fashion. I think I’ve come up with something here. I’m excited! Hope you will be too! Do you remember when Jenny Doan showed us how to make pinwheel blocks … Continue reading Double Pinwheel Block Easy Scrappy Style – Tutorial →
Have you been following Riley Blakes Block Challenge? A new tutorial for a quilt block each week! Today is my turn and I’m showing you how to make a fun Pinwheel Block! You can make either a …
Make quilting a breeze with this classic pinwheel block made with a twist: paper piecing! Download the cutting chart, patterns & instructions from our tutorial.
I found another variation of a Pinwheel block that I think is interesting. It is fairly easy and quick to sew together. It reminds me of the Duck Tracks block I did a tutorial for awhile back. Let's get started!
Photo above © Jenna Excell This quilting pattern / tutorial is available for free... Full post: Woven & Snowball Block
Hey Everyone!! I have missed you... I have been FLAT out this week! Literally...!! Ill explain later... But for today... I am so excited to Introduce Cara to you!! She is a super Mum! She has put an amazing Tute together for us... The Circle of Geese Block.. I have absolutely NO IDEA how to make this block so i jumped up and down when she said she would share this with us..... Thanks Cara... xx Hello Chasing Cotton readers! I'm Cara from Me? A Mom? and I'm so honored Bec asked me to come over and teach you all a block. Today I'm going to show you how to successfully sew a Circle of Geese block without hurling your scissors across the room or pulling out your hair. This is one of those blocks that can intimidate many but trust me when I say if I can do it, you can do it. This is a paper-pieced block which means you stitch your fabric onto a piece of paper following the lines that are pre-printed on the paper. And it really is that easy once you get the knack of it. This block is a lot like learning how to ride a bike. It might be hard at first but, once you learn it, you wonder how you ever struggled. The trickiest part of assembling this block, in my opinion, is that it involves lots of turning and flipping and folding back of fabric and paper pieces. It's easy to get confused and make mistakes so this tutorial has a ton of pictures. This tutorial also involves some extra steps to help you avoid issues. As you get more comfortable with how to assemble the block, you can cut out some of the extra steps. Or you can throw caution to the wind and just skip them all together from the get go. Okay, so let's get started. First you need the template. I like to use this one. (Note: sometimes that link doesn't work for whatever reason. If that's the case for you, go to http://www.piecebynumber.com/and go to the freebie tab. Look under geometric and you'll see the circle of geese block.) When you print it out, make sure it's printing full scale and not being scaled down. I had to decrease my margins to get it to properly fit on one page. You'll need four copies for each block. Print out a few extras to have on hand. Next, cut it out ALONG the dotted line. This will be the finished size of your block section and you'll use the edge of the paper as your trim line when you are finished, so cut it out neatly and accurately. As you'll see, the sections of this template are numbered. Throughout this tutorial, I'll be referencing these pieces by their number (#1, #2, #3, etc). Because you will eventually be tearing the paper off from the fabric, I highly recommend perforating the lines on the paper before you begin sewing. To do this, simply stitch along all the inside lines without thread in your needle. IMPORTANT: set your stitch length to the smallest setting so that your stitches -- or in this case, the holes -- are close together. The other nice thing about perforating the lines in advance is that it's handy for when you need to fold back the paper along the lines. And in this tutorial, you'll be doing that a lot. Okay, next step. Cut out fabric for your background pieces and fabric for your goose triangle pieces. I find 3" x 5" is a good size; you can go smaller as you get more comfortable but I like to give myself room for error. The first few times you assemble this block, it's helpful to start with larger cuts of fabric. Most of my early mistakes involved using a piece that I swore was big enough but after sewing and turning it, it would be too short. Trust me when I say you'd rather have some fabric waste than the frustration of having to unpick a section because it ended up being a few millimeters short. For my goose triangles. If fabric waste is a concern, a 19" x 6" piece will fit all six background pieces. Alright, now grab your paper template. You will use the numbers on the paper template as your guide for where to start and where to go next. We'll work in numerical order, so your first stitched line will be the line between #1 (goose triangle) and #2 (bkgd). Take the fabric piece for your first goose triangle and lay it with the wrong side facing up (right side facing down). Place your template on top of the fabric with the words facing up. Fold the paper template together at the line between #1 and #2 and -- using the edge created by the fold as a guide, trim the fabric to leave what will be a 1/2" seam allowance. (As you get better at this block and need less room for error, you can trim it to 1/4" instead.) Now you are ready to position the fabric for #2. I know, I know, when are we going to start stitching, right? Hang with me. Place the background fabric (#2) right side facing up under the #1 fabric. Line them up as noted on the photo below and pin. Let's stitch! Fold your paper flat again and stitch along the line between #1 and #2. After you are finished stitching, fold the paper back again at the line between #1 and #2 and use the edge of the paper to trim the fabric to 1/4 inch seam allowance. Like I said, you can skip this step obviously if you initially trimmed to 1/4 inch seam allowance in the previous step. Now turn the paper over and press your fabrics open. Okay, now from here on out on this tutorial, my photos are going to show the pieces labeled so that you don't get confused. You don't have to do this at home, though I do find it helpful to write the numbers on the back of the paper. Okay, now you're ready to move onto #3, a background piece. Place your sewn pieces right side down and fold your paper along the line between #3 and #1-#2. Go ahead and trim (leaving either 1/4" or 1/2"). Now you're ready to place and sew piece #3. You can either slip piece #3 under the #1, #2 pieces or flip the block over and place piece #3 on top of pieces #1 and #2 (like in the picture below). Which ever way you pick, just be sure your fabrics are right sides together. Stitch along the line between #3 and #1-#2. Turn paper over and press fabrics open. Next you'll turn your paper over so the fabric is right side down. Fold back the paper along the line between #3 and #4. Continue to repeat the same previous steps of trimming, lining up the next fabric piece, pinning, folding the paper flat, stitching, and ironing the fabric open. Are you getting the hang of it? Go ahead and finish up #5, #6, #7, #8 and #9 following the same steps as above. Just remember to go in sequential order. Almost done! Time to trim. Use the paper as your guide and trim to the paper. If you are trimming paper off, you are trimming too much. (Sorry, I forgot to get a shot of what the block looks like on the back before trimming.) When you are ready, carefully remove the paper. I find that it helps to start with removing #9 and working backwards (#8, #7, #6, etc.). Once you have four sections completed, you are ready to arrange them and sew them together.Sew A to B and set aside. Sew C to D and set aside. Then sew AB to CD and you're done! Ta-da! Aren't you fancy!! Hopefully, I've been able to demystified the Circle of Geese block for you and you're not cursing my name right now. Happy sewing!! Feel free to come over to my blog and say hello! Thanks sooooooooooooooooooo Much Cara!!! xx Mystery solved!! xx I hope you enjoyed her Tute... I did! xx