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Pinwheel blocks are fun to cut and assemble and once you know how to make them, you'll find all sorts of ways to use them in your quilts. This is a great block for new quilters to practice upon. Test your cutting and 1/4"seam allowance skills by measuring the final block to verify it is the correct size.



Notice that this pinwheel block is made up of four smaller blocks of half-square triangles. While you can piece each smaller block by cutting triangles and sewing them together, there is an inherent problem with cut triangles: the triangle will have a bias edge, and will therefore stretch when being pressed or sewn. Stretching is a quilter's nightmare, as it can warp and pull the fabric, throwing off the final measurements. This is why quilters have come up with new methods to cut and sew half-square triangles, and incidentally to make it much easier to piece! We'll present one of those methods below.

Cut and Assemble the Squares:

1. Cut two squares of fabric the same size from complementary fabrics.



2. On the wrong side of one square, mark one diagonal line from corner to corner, using a straight edge.



3. Measure and mark 1/4" to each side of the diagonal line.



4. With right sides together, align the fabric squares placing the marked square on top.



5. Sew the squares together on the two outer lines.



6. Using a straight edge and a rotary cutter, cut the two triangles apart at the center diagonal line.



7. Carefully (without stretching the fabric)open the squares and press the seam allowance to the darker fabric.



8. Cut off the "ears" that extend beyond the squares.

Forming the Pinwheels:

1. Place four squares together as shown to form the pinwheel pattern.





2. Sew two squares together. Repeat with opposite pair.



3. Sew two pairs together to form the pinwheel.

If you are new to quilting, this is a good place to stop and measure the final block to verify it is the correct finished size specified in the pattern. If not, go back and check the cut squares to be certain they are the correct size. Then, sew a 1/4"seam on a piece of fabric, remove it from the machine, and measure the seam allowance. If it isn't a perfect 1/4",adjust your sewing until you achieve the correct numbers.

The Half-Square Formula:

To get the correct size to cut blocks for the above process, add 7/8" to the required finished size of the triangle. These are some examples:

For this Size Finished Square:	Cut the Squares:
1"	1 7/8"
2"	2 7/8"
2 1/2"	3 3/8"
3 3/4"	4 5/8"

Quilting is an amazing process of cutting and re-assembling fabrics to form patterns. The simple pinwheel is a staple in your cupboard of quilting knowledge. Use scraps to practice these blocks and then use the finished blocks to create a scrap quilt.