Pinwheel in a Square Quilt Block Pattern

By Janet Wickell, About.com Guide

1. Gather the triangles cut by dividing the large background squares.
2. Find the four blue-green squares cut for block corners. Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the opposite corner on the reverse side of each.
3. Align a green square right side down at a 90-degree corner of a large background triangle, matching all edges. Sew on the marked line.
4. Trim away excess fabric as shown, leaving an approximate 1/4" seam allowance. Press seam allowance towards the green corner. Repeat for all corner units.
5. Pair each smaller background square with a multicolor square of the same size. Use the quick sandwich method to create four half-square triangle units from the pairs. Completed units for the 8" block should measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"; units for the 12" block should measure 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" square.
6. Sew the half-square triangle units together into two rows as shown. Press seams in adjacent rows in opposite directions; sew rows together. Press seam allowance either way.
7. Find the peach/yellow triangles. Fold each triangle in half along its longest edge to find the midpoint along the edge. Place the triangle right-side down along one side of the pinwheel unit, matching the pinwheel's center seam with the triangle's marked midpoint. Sew together; press seam allowance towards the triangle.

   If you prefer, trim 1/4" from triangle corners at the ends of long edges to make match-up easier. Practice on a scrap triangle if necessary.

8. Sew a peach/yellow triangle to each side of the pinwheel center.
9. Find the midpoint on each long edge of the green/background units. Match and sew those units to the edges of the block center as shown.
10. Press seam allowances towards the corner units. Your quilt block should measure either 8-1/2" x 8-1/2" or 12-1/2" x 12-1/2".

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• Introduction to the Pinwheel in a Square Quilt Block
• Assemble the Pinwheel in a Square
• Sprigtime Pinwheels Quilt Pattern Option

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