Pinwheel Quilt Tutorial - Part 1

Today, we are diving into one of my absolute favorite blocks—the pinwheel! These are made using half-square triangles, which I think are the most versatile blocks in the world. Depending on how you turn them, you can create so many different looks!

For this project, I’m using my "Little Ladies" collection, featuring those sweet purple polka dots and pink hearts. I’m actually making two of these because I can already see the family picnics and movie nights we’re going to have curled up under them.

Tips for a Perfect Pinwheel

Working with triangles can be a little intimidating for beginners, but I promise we can make it simple and fun! Here is how I put these together:

  • [00:33] Start with Squares: I started with 10-inch squares and cut them diagonally to get my triangles. Putting the "pretty sides" together, sew down the longest side with a quarter-inch seam.

  • [01:03] Backstitch Always: You know the drill—backstitch when you start and stop because my grandma said so! It’s the secret to making sure your quilts become family heirlooms that never fall apart.

  • [01:33] The "What Now?" Moment: I actually lost one of my fabric pieces while filming! If you run into a mistake or a missing piece, don't panic. I just pieced some scraps together to make a new triangle, and once it's in the quilt, nobody will ever know. 🤫

  • [02:45] Flat is Best: I use my Oliso Project Iron and wool mat right at my desk to keep the blocks flat. I don't worry about which way the seams go on the back; I just want the top to look beautiful.

  • [04:41] Match the Middle: When sewing your triangles into a pinwheel, line up that center seam first. You can use a pin or a clip to hold it in place so your points meet up nicely.

Finishing with Borders

This quilt is three pinwheels across and four down (12 total). To get it to a nice twin size, I added two borders: a 2.5-inch green border and a 4.5-inch pink border [08:46]. Adding borders is my favorite way to adjust a quilt to the exact size I want!

I would love to know—what is your favorite part of quilting? Is it picking the fabric, sewing the blocks, or seeing the finished product? Let me know on Facebook or Instagram!

Happy sewing! 🥰🧵✨

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