The Making & Binding of a Pinwheel Quilt

I was going through my stash of fabric, and was called to these colors: peach and sage green. It had been years since I had made a pinwheel quilt, so I jumped right in.

Pinwheels from Strips

One of my fond childhood memories is holding up a pinwheel on a stick, and watching the wind make it spin. The beautiful metallic colors catching the sun, and the whir of the blades on their axel generated the sincerest laughter a child can give. So off to the cutting mat I went.

I was working with 2 1/2" strips left over from another quilt. To make these half square triangles the right size, I had to choose a method that would give me a 3" square unfinished. I wanted 5" pinwheels. Here's the secret: Place two strips together, right sides facing. Sew a 1/4" seam around the entire perimeter of the strip. The using a 90 degree corner of a ruler, place the point of the corner at the strip's top seam so it is just touching the tip. The base of the ruler should line up level with the bottom of the strip like a mountain or a triangle. Make sure the first triangle you cut is within the seam area, both on the left/right, and the top, and not at the complete edge of the strip.

Cut along the ruler's edge creating a triangle that has a seam at the bottom and a point at the top. When you open this up, viola! it should be a half square triangle. Repeat this step by flipping the ruler up to the top of the strip with the point at the bottom seam. Cut a second triangle. After making dozens of half square triangles, join them together. The quilt seems to assemble itself.

Finding that Mini Pinwheel to Press

Now, about pressing, to try and reduce some of the bulk in the middle, you can open up the center join and finger press it flat so it resembles a mini pinwheel. Then press it and the seams flat.

The blocks are sewn together to form a rows, and seams pressed to the side. Each successive row is pressed in the opposite direction from the previous so they nest together.

When joining the rows to each other I press the seams open to reduce bulk. Using a tailor's clapper helps to flatten some of the more stubborn parts.

Quilting the Top

One of the tougher decisions in quilting is choosing how to finish the top. What quilting design should I use? Should I send it out or try my hand at free motion quilting? I highly recommend doing what gives you the most enjoyment! There are talented longarm quilters out there just waiting to lend a hand! Send your masterpiece off to be finished! Or, take the design aspect of finishing the quilt into your own sewing space, and add those swirls or straight lines to the quilt sandwich! I have done both, and either one would be wonderful. If you are new to free motion quilting, I recommend practicing with pencil and paper, then a scrap quilt sandwich before moving to your final quilt.

A Binding Method

Typically there are a few binding methods: By machine, by hand, or a combination. Machine binding is often quicker, but hand binding can be relaxing. I opted to machine bind. I sewed a 2 1/2" strip that had been folded to the front of the quilt--raw edge to quilt edge. I folded the sewn binding to the back, and pinned it in place from the front. I wanted to see if I could stich in the ditch, and catch the backside evenly. Here's how the pins lined up.

A view from the back. My seam will be just above that pin if I follow the front seam properly. Fingers crossed!

Sew very sloooowwly and you can hear the sound of the needle going through the back binding. You'll be able to sense or feel where the needle is hitting the fabric, and those pins serve as your guide. Remember to pull out the pins one at a time before they get under your needle or, snap! Safety is important.

A finished quilt is quite satisfying! I chose to quilt the top in waves to offset the sharpness of the pinwheels. Another one for the books!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy quilting!

~Astrid

Quilt Artisan