Pinwheel Star Block Tutorial
I have the cutest quilt block to share with you! I made a Pinwheel Star, which is just my name for it. It’s historical name is probably something much more sophisticated. Pinwheel blocks and star blocks are two of my favorites, which puts this block at the top of my list!
Let me show you how to make one of your own!
Unfinished size: 12 1/2″ block
Supplies and cutting for one block:
- Background fabric: cut (4) 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles and (4) 3 1/2″ squares
- Green (star points): cut (8) 3 1/2″ squares
- Floral (center square corners): cut (2) 4″ squares, cut in half diagonally once
- Blue (pinwheel): cut (1) 4 1/2″ square, cut in half diagonally twice
- White (pinwheel): cut (1) 4 1/2″ square, cut in half diagonally twice
Instructions:
Make center pinwheel unit:
1. Lay out the following pieces as shown:
2. Stitch the two quarter-triangles together and press towards the dark fabric.
3. Add the other half-triangle to the above units, making sure to center them first (they won’t be the same size). Trim to 3 1/2″ squares.
I trimmed these using the Quilt-in-a-Day Triangle Square Up Ruler. You can also trim them using a square ruler, just make sure to trim it evenly on all sides, keeping the center of the unit at the 1 3/4″ mark on the ruler as shown:
4. Make four of these units. Press two of them toward the large triangle and two of them towards the quarter-triangles.
4. Arrange the units so that all of the seams are opposing each other as follows:
5. Stitch them into pairs, nesting the corner seams:
6. Press the seams in opposite directions. Stitch the two halves together. Pay careful attention to the center seams. This is where the pinwheels meet in the center.
I use a “setting pin” which goes down through the center “x” of the top half seam and down through the center “x” of the bottom half seam. Keep this pin straight up and then pin on each side.
7. To reduce the bulk at the center of the pinwheel, press the seams so that they spiral from the center. It will look like this on the back:
The center pinwheel unit should measure 6 1/2″ unfinished.
Make flying geese units:
1. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each 3 1/2″ green square. Sew this onto the 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangle and press towards the green.
2. Trim excess seam allowance.
3. Repeat for the other side.
4. Make a total of four flying geese units. They should measure 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″.
Assemble Block
1. Lay out the units as shown below:
2. Sew the units into rows. Make sure to check the “center match point” where the diagonal seams all converge and pin well!
Press the center row seams out to the sides and the top/bottom row seams in towards the middle.
3. Sew the rows together, again matching seams and center match points. Press the seams to the outside.
Your block should measure 12 1/2″ unfinished. Admire!
This also ties in quite nicely with the Across the Pond Sew Along, hosted by Amy Made That! Anything with pinwheels is the theme this month and you’ll find a ton of inspiration there!
And, I’ll be linking up with the Friday Night Block Party at Summercrafter – another pinwheel extravaganza! Elaine has a few pinwheel blocks of her own to share.
I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been up to with my Pinwheel Star blocks. I’ll give you a hint: think red, white and green. That’s right, Christmas Once a Month is coming up (on the 15th) and I’m using lots of these awesome blocks!
I am a total novice and have just followed your tutorial. Thank you so much for such a fabulously clear tutorial. Feeling so proud of my attempt and I have learnt so much.
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Wonderful instructions – clear and concise! I can’t thank you enough!
Muito lindo seus trabalhos, muito obrigada, Fica com Deus e um abraço. Vilma
Lindo e delicados são seus trabalhos. Muito obrigada, fica com Deus e um abraço. Vilma
Beautiful block Julie and an excellent tutorial! Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday
Your piecing is so precise! Great tutorial, its a beautiful block, thanks for linking up to ‘Anything Goes’
Thankyou so much! I am making this block this afternoon or earlier if I can’t wait that long.:)
Okay, I am back to look at the pinwheel center again. So perfect! how and when did you separate the seams. Mine were like conjoined twins! It looks so pretty that way. And I can’t way to see what you’re making!!
What a pretty block – thanks for the tutorial
Oooh! Can’t wait to see this in Christmas:) love the block and your fabrics and photography are awesome.
Thank you Julie for the great tutorial. I have put a link to your instruction in our website, Rikstäcket, the Swedish national quilt guild. I think that a quilt with blocks in Christmas color will be be beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day
Britt-Inger in Sweden
Soooo pretty, Julie! I love the details in your tutorial and perfect corners. : ) Thanks for joining in the fun!
very pretty blocks and fabrics! I especially like that Christmasy one!
Thanks for an excellent tutorial on this block! I love your fabrics.
I also would not have thought to use flying geese to make the star points. I may get consistent sizes of points using this method!
The Christmas block is so pretty, too!!
Susie
I love this block and I am going to try it. I have never made anything with triangles. So afraid of the points but you make it look easy. Thanks.
Wow Julie! The Pinwheel and star blocks have always been one of my all-time favorites too!!
Thanks for your very informative tutorial ~ you make it look so easy! I am going to have to try this.
LOVE the Christmas block!!!
Hugs,
Tanya
Oh so super sweet!!! I am so making this block, and the tutorial is fabulous! Love the finished size being larger, but the center all by itself is pretty, too. If I were you, I would just count that last block as Christmas this month…lol!
Hi, love your tutorial Julie, such pretty colours too, especially the Christmas one!
Great block and thank you for the tutorial. I will be giving this a whirl later on today…thanks again
What a lovely block. Great workmanship !