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!