I have seen a lot of tutorials on how to make pinwheel blocks from half square triangles from four 5'' charm squares (two pairs), but couldn't find one for a pinwheel block from only two 5'' charm squares. I have a lot of 5'' charm packs that have only
one of each print, and if I wanted a block to only have two prints in it, I'd have to do it with 2 charm packs. So, I wracked my brain and figured out a way to make a smaller pinwheel block from just 2 charm squares. This finishes to just under 6'' when I sew it, but you might be able to get a full 6'' block with a scant 1/4'' seam allowance. I like to square mine to 5 1/2'' though (to get a 5'' finished block) so use a full 1/4'' seam allowance. I think one of the best parts is that it's not necessary to do any marking on the fabric like in the larger pinwheel blocks where you mark a diagonal line and sew 1/4'' on each side of that diagonal line. No marking necessary on this technique! Anyhow, here is my very first tutorial!
Step 1: layer your 2 charm squares right sides together and sew 1/4'' (or scant 1/4'') seam allowance on all 4 sides. Yes, on all 4 sides.
Step 2: cut the block into quarters from corner to corner
Step 3: open the quarters into 4 squares and press (toward the dark side is recommended)
Step 4: arrange into your pinwheel
step 5: sew top half and bottom half together. Press seams OPEN. You really need to press this seam open otherwise the bulk in the center will be too much.
Step 6: sew top to bottom matching up points. Press the seam OPEN. I wasn't sure about doing a stripe with this technique, but I really like it!!!
final step: square up your block. This one I squared to 5 1/2'', so it will be a 5'' block when assembled.
EDIT: Yes, the block edges end up on the bias. But, with such a small block, they really are not an issue. I did not have to starch my blocks to keep them from stretching. If it was a larger block, I might consider starching though to keep them under control.
Great Idea...It's something I might even get my 14 year old daughter to attempt.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is an easy way to make pinwheels from charm squares but don't you find those bias edges a little tough to work with?
ReplyDeleteGreat way to do this and NO marking!
ReplyDeletethe bias edges are so short on this little block, they don't seem to be much of an issue. When in doubt, use pins :)
ReplyDeletewould never have thought to do it like that-impressive and clear instruction-thanks-Suzanne down in australia
ReplyDeleteNice job - a great idea I will be able to use! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I think I will starch my squares before I cut them because of the bias edges.
ReplyDeletethis is soo cool, thanks
ReplyDeleteToo cute & a great use of charm packs! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteNan in KS
Too cute & a great use of charm packs! :) Thanks very much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNan in KS
OK, that is simply the coolest thing ever. I never in a million years would have thought of stitching around the outside.
ReplyDeleteI've recently started starching the be-jesus out of my fabric to keep it from stretching and it should work great with the bias edges. Great tutorial Karin... Thanks, Gail
ReplyDeleteVery clever. I'm glad you figured this out for the rest of us. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWOWOWOWOW...Karin, this should become the latest revolution in patchwork!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Karin! Thanks for sharing your clear instructions.
ReplyDeleteWow I am so glad you wracked your brain to create this methodology and that it showed up in the message link for my quilt on sewforum. If I do another quilt like that I have a much better way to do pinwheels.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever technique!! Thanks so much for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. I have tried this out and it works great. I used a light starch on it and the bias is not an issue at all. Your instructions are so clear and well thought out. Good job! I will tell all my friends about this method. Especially the ones that don't like pinwheels! Hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteI BOOKMARKED YOUR PAGE, SO I WILL NEVER FORGET!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that tute! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Found this googling for blocks from charm squares. I want to put pinwheels into the border of a quilt I'm making. I do have 2 of each charm square, but that would make the blocks to big. This method will let me get twice as many blocks, and no wastage.
ReplyDeleteYou can make you pinwheels as big or small as you want!! Check out the chart at Missouri Star Quilt Co. They added it to their tutorial on pinwheels----gives you the measurements you need to make a certain size block.
DeleteAnother quilter sent me a link to this and it's such a clear easy to understand tutorial. Thank You :).
ReplyDeleteI want to do 12" blocks so I'll starch them and I'm starching all my blocks anyway as I've just started blockmaking and find it's easier to keep those bias threads under control.
Love the stripes and dots combination!
I learned this method from Jenny Doan/Missouri Star Quilt Co. and I love it. I made a pinwheel block quilt (almost queen size) from two shades of blue for the pinwheels and white for the other part of the pinwheel. I used 10" squares which ended up being 12 1/2" blocks. I used 3" sashing and added and 4" and 6" border. Made a nice looking quilt if I do say so myself. (LOL) I think it was four blocks across and five blocks down.I make a lot of quilts for charity (Comfort Quilters, Fairbanks, IN--we donate to relief efforts such as in Moore, OK and last year Joplin, MO) so I like fast and easy!
ReplyDeletegreat minds think alike - her tutorial was posted well over a year after mine, but I know there were probably others that thought of it before me too. I just hadn't seen any before the idea came to my mind and maybe Jenny had the same 'light go on' idea moment I had :)
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