How to make the Pin Wheel 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 February, we are making the Pin Wheel Quilt Block.  

 Pin Wheel Quilt Block in Navy Blue, Teal Blue, and White

I love the way this one turned out! It is so clean and fresh!

I have provided instructions for how to make this block using two methods. The first method uses only half square triangles. The next set of directions below uses flying geese in addition to the HST's. 

Half Square Triangle Only Method

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

Color A - 4 of 4 x 4 inch squares

Color B - 4 of 4 x 4 inch squares

White - 8 of 4 x 4 inch squares

 Fabric Squares cut out in three colors.

Sew

Make the half square triangles (HSTs).

On the back of the white squares, draw a diagonal line, corner to corner.  Pin the blue square to the white square, right sides together. 

Making half square triangles, two at a time, with white and blue fabric

Stitch on both sides of the drawn line, a scant 1/4 inch away. Cut on the drawn line, and press to the blue side.

Finished half square triangles in blue and white

Trim them to be 3 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches each. 

 Layout the half square triangles to match the picture and stitch them together in rows. Press. Then, stitch the rows together. Press. 

Pin wheel quilt block on the ironing board

If you would like to make this block using Flying geese for the dark blue triangles follow the following directions. 

Flying Geese and HST's Method

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

Color A for HSTs - 4 of 4 x 4 inch squares

White for HSTs - 4 of 4 x 4 inch squares

Color B for Flying Geese - 1 of 7 1/4 x 7 1/4 square

White for Flying Geese - 4 of 4 x 4 inch squares

Sew

Make the half square triangles (HSTs) like above.

On the back of the white squares, draw a diagonal line, corner to corner.  Pin a color square to the white square, right sides together.  

Stitch on both sides of the drawn line, a scant 1/4 inch away. Cut on the drawn line, and press to the blue side. 

Trim to be 3 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. You should have 8 of them.

Next, make the flying geese. I use the Four-In-One Flying Geese method. 

Lay two small white squares on two diagonal corners of the large square, right sides together.

 First step for making flying geese. Two small white squares on a larger colored square.

Draw a line, corner to corner, on the small squares, then stitch a scant 1/4" away from both sides of the line. 

Next step in making flying geese.

Cut on the drawn line and press to the dark side.  

Next, match another small square into the corner of the large triangle. 

Making flying geese.

Draw a line from the corner to corner of the small square, as shown in the picture.  Stitch a scant 1/4" from the line. 

Making flying geese

Cut on the line and press to the dark side. 

 Making flying geese

Trim down each flying geese unit to 3 1/2" x 2". Make sure you stay 1/4" away from the top point of the flying geese so you don't loose your point when you sew it. 

Layout the half square triangles to match the picture and stitch them together in rows. Press. Then, stitch the rows together. Press. 

Pin wheel quilt block in blue, teal, and white

If you have any questions or comments, 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. As I have mentioned before, these block designs come from the book 5500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone. (c) 2003 but these instructions are written by me.)  

Have fun quilting!


2 comments

  • Thank you this block is a classic , live it

    Frances
  • Love this block. Thanks!

    Pam

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