Pretty Pinwheels Table Topper Tutorial Part 2

Now for the instructions….

STEP 1

To make the pinwheels:

Take one patterned square and one solid square of the same size and lay them on top of each other RST (right sides together). Sew 1/4 in. around all four sides.

STEP 2

Using a ruler, cut corner to corner both directions to create four blocks.

STEP 3

Press open with seams towards the dark fabric.

STEP 4

Lay out your blocks to ensure the pinwheel is going the correct direction, then sew the top row together, then the bottom row (always using 1/4 in. seam allowance).

STEP 5

Sew the top and bottom rows together to form the pinwheel block. Then, trim the large pinwheel to 9 1/2 in. square and the small pinwheel to 6 1/2 in. square.

STEP 6

For the small pinwheels only.  Lay the 2 in. x 6 1/2 in. strip on top of the pinwheel RST and sew along the edge. Press outward. Repeat on the other side.

STEP 7

Lay the 2 in. x 9 1/2 in. strip along the top of the pinwheel RST and sew along the edge.  Press open. Repeat for the bottom strip.

STEP 8

You should now have all your blocks sewn together.  Lay them out starting with a large pinwheel for the first block on the first row and a small pinwheel for the first block on the second row and continue in that pattern.

Sew each row together in strips.  Press the seams of each row in opposite directions.

STEP 9

Sew your rows together making sure to pin the corners and your quilt top is finished!

Quilt as desired.  (I used a meandering leaf stitch for the larger quilt and a plain meander stitch for the smaller quilt.)

(As always, I am writing these tutorials with children in tow, so if something doesn’t make sense or you have a question, feel free to leave a comment and I’d be happy to get back to you!)

Stormy

Pretty Pinwheels Table Topper Tutorial Part 1

Last month I made this table topper for my sister. 

(Size 45x45)

I was planning on doing a tutorial, but didn’t have enough time.  So, I made a smaller version of the quilt for myself and snapped a few pictures along the way.  Just choose the size you want and start sewing those pinwheels!

(Size 27x27)

Materials needed: (Yardage will depend on the size quilt you make.  I used a few fat quarters for the larger quilt and some leftover layer cake squares for the smaller quilt. )

8 – 10 patterned fabrics  for the pinwheels

1 solid fabric for pinwheel blocks (1-2 yds)

1 solid or print for binding (1/4 yd to 1/3 yd)

1 solid or print for backing (I used the same solid on the back and front) (1-2 yds)

Cutting Instructions

The larger pinwheel quilt uses 25 pinwheel blocks.  13 large pinwheels and 12 small pinwheels.  The smaller pinwheel quilt uses 9 pinwheel blocks.  5 large pinwheels and 4 small pinwheels.

For each large pinwheel cut:

1 – 7 1/2 in. square from both print fabric and solid fabric.

For each small pinwheel cut:

1 – 5 1/2 in. square from both print fabric and solid fabric.

2 – 9 1/2 in. x 2 in. strips from the solid fabric.

2 – 6 1/2 in. x 2 in. strips from the solid fabric.

For the binding:

Measure the width and length of your quilt (it should be the same), add those two measurements then multiply by two.  Then add 10 inches to account for the corners and where the binding ending and beginning is joined.  Once you have your binding measurement, cut your binding strips  2 1/2in. x WOF until you have the length needed.

All ready to sew!

(Note:  this method of sewing and cutting the squares is much faster, but causes the triangles to have two bias edges instead of one, so be extra careful when pressing and sewing so you don’t stretch the fabric.)

(*Note: I’m having a bear of a time publishing this post, so I have split it into two posts.  Sorry about the troubles! Next time, I’ll try not to be so wordy!)

Stormy