Pinwheel Quilt Block Tutorial

Pinwheel is a traditional block that is still popular for good reason. It is very versatile and can be fun and playful or beautiful and elegant.

If you have never quilted with triangles before, this is a great introduction.

See it All

Below you will find:

• fabric requirements
• video tutorial
• step-by-step written tutorial with pictures
• instructions for different sizes
• inspiration for using the block in a quilt

Fabric Requirements

The pinwheel quilt block is made with four half-square triangle units.

For a 12″ finished block, the half-square triangle units need to be 6-1/2″ square. (scroll down to see different sizes)

You can use your favourite method for making these units.

If you have never done these before, try the Easiest Ever Method or the Most Popular Method. Both of these are great for beginners.

Video

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Tutorial

See each step in the process, with images to help guide you.

Layout the pieces

Layout the pieces so that all the diagonal seams meet in the middle.

Make sure that the colours are alternating light and dark.

Join pairs

Join the triangle units together in pairs using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Press the seams so that they are go the darker fabrics.

Join the pairs

Double check the layout, then join the pairs together.

Since the seams are pressed to the dark side, they will nest together to help join the sides accurately.

Pressing

This little pressing trick will help your block be flatter and easier to quilt.

Before the final press, undo one or two stitches that are in in the seam allowance.

Now in pressing, one side of the seam can press up under the dark fabric and the other side can press down toward the dark fabric.

This is sometimes called “spinning the seam”.

You can see that in the centre of the block, there is a miniature pinwheel.

If this pressing is too difficult, you can always just press the seam open.

Finished block

If you used 6-1/2″ half-square triangle units, the finished block should be 12-1/2″ square.

Make the block any size

Because this block is made with four equal squares, it is easy to calculate the pieces you need for different block sizes.

The trickiest thing is to remember seam allowances. Take the size of the finished block you want, divide by 2, then add 1/2″ for seam allowances.

So, if you want a 6″ block, you will need 3-1/2″ HSTs. If you want a 9″ block, you need 5″ HSTs.

Pinwheel block in Quilts

Pinwheel blocks can be used either on their own or in combination with other blocks.

You can get inspiration and templates for designing your own pinwheel quilts in the Pinwheel Inspiration Workbook.

Of course, if you play with colour, there are a lot more possibilities.

You can see it in action in the scrappy Feathers and Pinwheels quilt.

Have fun with the Pinwheel quilt block!

Be sure to #epidastudio when you share your projects on social media!