Make the Half-Square Triangle Units
The Double Pinwheel is another quilt block that makes use of the versatile half-square triangle unit, a unit you'll use repeatedly when you make patchwork quilts.There are several ways to quick-piece half-square triangles, called triangle squares for short, but the easy sandwich method is a good choice when you're just making a few of each color combination.
- Pair the butter yellow 3-7/8" squares with the dark blue 3-7/8" squares. Pair the lighter yellow 3-7/8" squares with the lighter blue 3-7/8" squares. Keep grouped and set aside.
- Use my easy sandwich method to sew the paired squares together to create triangle square units. After sewing, you will have four butter yellow / dark blue units and four lighter yellow / lighter blue units. Each completed triangle square unit should measure 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" square.
Arrange the Double Pinwheel Block Components
- Create four horizontal rows by arranging your triangle units and plain squares as shown above.
- Sew the components of each row together. Press seam allowances towards the squares when possible. Press seam allowances where butter yellow / dark blue units meet towards the dark blue fabric.
- Sew the rows together, butting the loft created by pressed seams into each other at intersections to help you achieve a perfect match.
- Press the block. The block should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2". If it doesn't, press again and remeasure. Use my easy squaring-up method if necessary.
