Thirties Pinwheel in a Square Quilt Block Pattern

By Janet Wickell, About.com Guide

1. Gather the white triangles cut by dividing the 6-7/8" x 6-7/8" squares.
2. Find the four 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" 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 corner 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 corner. Repeat for all corner units.
5. Pair each smaller background square with a pinwheel square of the same size. Use the easy sandwich method to create four half-square triangle units from the pairs. Completed units 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. Fold each green triangle in half along its longest edge to find the midpoint along that edge (or trim tips for easy matching).
8. 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 triangles.
9. Sew a corner unit to each side of the pinwheel center.
10. Press seam allowances towards the corner units. Your quilt block should measure 12-1/2" x 12-1/2". If it doesn't, see How to Fix Problem Quilt Blocks for ways to square it up.

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