How To Make Grandma's Pinwheel Quilt Block

Join me this year as I provide instructions for how to make a different quilt block each month. Eventually, all these blocks will turn into a great quilt! For the month of June, we are making Grandma's Pinwheel Quilt Block.  

Grandma's Pinwheel quilt block made with half square triangles and quarter square triangles in blue

This block is a re-creation of a block I found in my grandma's stash. It was so fun to make!

For a 12 inch finished block (12.5 inch unfinished), you will need to cut the following: 

Light Blue 2 of 5 x 5 inch square

Light Blue 2 of 3 x 3 inch squares

Dark Blue 2 of 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch squares

Teal 1 of 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch squares

White 1 of 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch squares

White 2 of 5 x 5 inch squares

White 2 of 3 x 3 inch squares

Sew 

First, create the half square triangles (HSTs). On the white 3 inch squares, draw a line diagonally, corner to corner. Match a white square to a 3 inch light blue square, right sides together. Stitch 1/4 inch away from the line on both sides. Cut on the drawn line. Press open towards the dark side. Trim to 2 1/2 inches square. 

 

Sew these four HSTs together to create the center pinwheel portion of the block. 

Using the 5 inch squares, create more HSTs using the previous instructions for the corners of the block. Trim to 4 1/2 inches square.

Using all of the 5 1/2 squares, create quarter square triangles (QSTs).  Cut all squares, one at a time, corner to corner on the diagonal, like in the picture.  

Square cut corner to corner, into 4 triangles

Rearrange the triangles to match the QST layout. Stitch the triangles together being careful not to stretch the triangles to prevent distortion. Trim if needed to 4 1/2 inches square. 

Quarter Square Triangle Block in blue, white and teal.

Layout the HSTs, QSTs, and the pinwheel to match the block and stitch them together. Press. 

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

Check back each month for a new How-To of quilt blocks! To see the other blocks, just search my blog for Quilt Guild Block of the Month.

If you would like a PDF digital download of these instructions, check out Group #5 of the How-To Quilt Block of the Month.  Also, please check out the other blocks that are available for download here.

(This is classic block that has been designed by many people but these instructions are written by me.)  

Have fun quilting!


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