May Block of the Month – Easy Pinwheel

When I think of May, I imagine children running outside with pinwheels. Maybe that’s because of Mother’s Day or maybe it’s because my birthday is in May. It’s a sign that summer is on its way. So this month I chose the pinwheel as the block of the month. And this pattern also works great for our soldier quilts. This month the pattern is super simple. A single block can be sewn in less than 10 minutes. In fact with these instructions, you’ll find that you will actually create two blocks. And I’m going to make this a free-for-all for the size of the finished block.

We’ll mix and match depending on the starting size of your block. But do watch your seam allowances so that we have standard blocks. You are going to select two colors of fabric. Cut one square from each fabric. Your finished block will depend on the size square you start with. Each finished block will be 1 ½ “ smaller than the square you start with.

I used my 15” square ruler to create 13 ½” finished blocks, my 12 ½” square ruler to create 11” bocks and a 10” square ruler to create an 8 ½” block. Draw lines vertically and horizontally in the middle, then draw lines diagonally to cross in the center. (See figure one).

These are going to be your cutting lines. Next draw your sewing lines ¼” from either side of the diagonal lines. So you can see that you are going to sew 4 seams on the diagonal. Press your block to set the seams. Then cut the block on the cutting lines (See figure two).

Open the seams and cut off the excess corners to create your block. (See figure three). You will end up with eight squares. Each finished block will consist of four of these pieces.

Arrange your squares to form the pinwheel. (See Figure four). And sew them together. Press.

Want to mix it up? Choose different size starting blocks. Make it scrappy. One of my pieces of fabric was created with small squares of fabric. Or try creating one square of strips that vary in size. You’ll love this pattern for its flexibility and how quickly you can create a pile of blocks. As always, thank you for participating in our Block of the Month. Keep watching to see where your blocks show up. Sometimes we’ll do an entire quilt made with the block of the month. Other times we’ll put some of them in an unrelated quilt as corner blocks or to complement a panel.

    FIGURE 1                        FIGURE 2                     FIGURE 3                  FIGURE 4                   FINISHED !!!

Other Examples

Mother Seton Quilting Angels - Block of the Month - May 2009   Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday           1 2 3     4 5 6 7 8 9 10 - Mother's Day 11 12 13 14 15 16- Sewing Day - 9 AM to 3 PM   Armed Forces Day 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 - Memorial Day 26 27 28 29 30- Sewing Day - 9 AM to 3 PM 31