"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

Monday, February 4, 2013

Pinwheel Tutorial

I have been making pinwheels for a prayer quilt for a little girl with cerebral palsy.  If you would like to help and get more information you can go here:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2013/01/calling-all-quilters.html
I included a video from Missouri Star Quilt Company in that post, but some people are not able to view videos (especially if viewing from a phone) so I thought I would write out the tutorial for you!  This is not my original directions, I got them from the video!  Since this is what is on my design wall also, I thought I would share it today!
First, Melinda, a member of treadleon sent me pictures of the pinwheels she is sending me:
 Aren't they gorgeous?
 They are perfect, unlike mine!  Such bold and bright colors!
 She is also sending me fabric for the backing, she said people have blessed her with fabric so she is paying it forward!  It is so bright and cheery!
To make your pinwheels, first you need to cut 5 inch squares (or you can use a charm park), of course you can cut any size square you want to make bigger or smaller squares!   I cut an equal number of white and colored since I want my background white.
 You will take one white square and one colored square, facing right sides together sew a 1/4 inch seam all the way around the square on all four sides.
Take a ruler, I just used this one because of it's size, not shape, lay the ruler from corner to corner and cut.

 Do this both ways to give you four triangles.

 Take your triangles and iron them open towards the dark side.  You will do all of your ironing towards the dark side.

Be sure to lay your squares out in the way you want them sewn together, do this before any sewing because it is almost like a puzzle (At least for my add brain it is) to try to get them all facing the right way.
Next you will sew two together at a time.
This will give two halves of a pinwheel.  Again, iron your seams to the dark side.  Next, sew these two halves together.  Make sure you line the middle seams up, if you have ironed right, they will nestle together.  I forgot to do this on most of mine which is why my points do not match together perfectly.
When you iron your last seam, iron it open to help reduce the bulk in the middle where all the points meet together.
They are so easy peasy to make!
I still have a few that need to be cut and sewn.
I can't wait to see all of the pinwheels that are donated for this quilt!  I think Melinda's bright pinwheels will set off my light colored pinwheels nicely!

Check out the ones Snoodles made from Lily Pad Quilting here!

Also on my design wall is my sashing for my granny squares.  What do you think?
What are you working on right now?
Missy
P.S.  If you still want to help it's not too late!


12 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful tutorial. I sent my blocks to you in the mail today; she has been in my prayers this weekend and will continue to be.

Unknown said...

Wonderful tutorial. I sent my blocks to you in the mail today; she has been in my prayers this weekend and will continue to be.

Unknown said...

Wonderful tutorial. I sent my blocks to you in the mail today; she has been in my prayers this weekend and will continue to be.

KaHolly said...

My blocks are in the mailbox right now, waiting for the postman to come pick them up!! Can't wait to see it finished! ~karen

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I just sent mine in the mail today too. I hope they are OK (I forgot to add a note so you'll see my scratch paper!) I didn't use white but some patterns that go together mostly in pinks but added one purple too. If it won't work please save them for you next prayer quilt.

Denise :) said...

LOVE the border you've used for your granny squares -- it's just perfect!! Did you fussy cut the flowers, or is the fabric printed that way?!? Pretty pinwheels -- and the tutorial was very nicely laid out, too! :)

retrorevival.biz said...

How nice that you're making this for a little girl ~ a lucky girl:)

Frances Meredith said...

I love pinwheels, and your bold colours look great.

MTN MAMA said...

Your prayer quilts are beautiful. My husband so loved his prayer quilts during his illness. Now they are a comfort to me. My prayers include the little girl getting the quilt. Keep up the great work!!

Karen said...

Thanks for the tutorial. It is wonderful of you to make a prayer quilt. I love to make and give prayer quilts. You are a blessing to others.

Cyn said...

Great pinwheels. I love this technique. Good explanation; thank you.
LOVE the fabric you've chosen for your granny blocks... everything just sings!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Wonderful pinwheels and tutorials Missy, what a wonderful prayer quilt! Thanks for sharing.
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