Origami 3D pinwheel quilt block tutorial

Hi there!

Every new fabric collection I create, makes me think about the projects that would be most suitable to show off my intentions, to gather the inspiration with the final products.
In a quilt-y way of thinking (thinking geometrical;), I wanted to create some blocks that would be easy to make and yet very joyful and summery.
And what better way, than doing the pinwheels, right?

Firstly, I wanted to make these fabric pinwheels.
But, then I realized that I would prefer having them as quilt blocks.


Pinwheel blocks are fun, but even better if they are uncommon and 3D!!!

So, I found several tutorials and videos by browsing the internet for these blocks, and at the end, I decided to gather here my step by step pics of creating these blocks, as they are easy and fun to make!

So, let's get started!

Tools/materials:

- sewing machine
- cutting mat
- scissors, rotary cutter
- rulers
- thread, needle (quality thread and needles)
- iron and ironing board
- pins and/or clips
- fabrics: 3 different prints, 1 fat quarter of each
- batting (cotton or cotton blend)

Prints I used are from my Floralish fabric collection for Art Gallery fabrics:

fabric A: FSH-27407  Citrus Tangerina
fabric B:  FSH-27402  Seed of Iris fabric C: FSH-27406  Dancing Fortunella

Prepare and cut the fabrics:

1. Cut all 3 prints in 5" x 5" squares, so that you have:

-16 (sixteen) 5" x 5" squares in fabric that will be the base for the pinwheels (fabric A)
-8 (eight) 5" x 5" squares in fabric that will be for the pinwheels (fabric B)
-8 (eight) 5" x 5" squares in fabric that will be for the pinwheels (fabric C)

2. With squares from the fabrics B and C make the Half Square Triangles (HSTs):

Place and align two squares of two different fabrics (fabric B and C) right sides together and with a marker or pencil draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of the fabric. Sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line. Cut the unit in half along the drawn center line. Open and press the units with wrong sides facing inside, hiding seams inside.
In this way, you will obtain two HST’s from each unit and will have 16 folded triangles.

3. Trim the folded triangles to 4", as shown in the picture, to get rid off the dog ears and get all nice and precise triangles.

*As you will obtain 4 pinwheel blocks that are double sided, at this point, you can choose if making them so that they have all the same fabric as main, or using both fabrics as main- so that you have 2 pinwheels in fabric B as main and 2 pinwheels in fabric C as main. Another thing that you can play with is the direction of the pinwheel: it can be in clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction.

4.  Place the folded triangles on the background squares, so that the folded diagonal of the triangle is parallel with the square's diagonal line. Pin or clip to obtain all 4 block units, so that they are forming the shape of the pinwheel. Secure the pinwheel triangles with stitches-using the narrow seam allowance ( a bit less than the 1/4"-approximately 1/8″ from the edge of the fabric ) the both sides where triangle is laying.  

5. Complete the steps until you have all 16 units completed and ready to assemble into a quilt blocks.

Take care that you are sewing each folded triangle in the same, desired direction.   

6. Sew the two and two units together of each block, using the 1/4" seam allowance ( so that your previous stitches are within the new stitched lines). The folded triangle areas are very bulky, so sew carefully. Finally, join the pairs together into a quilt block.

Press the units flat before opening to set each seam. Open each unit and with your iron press the seam allowance either open or to one side, upon your preferences. Pressing the seams open eliminates bulk and makes it easier to match the seams.  

Your blocks are finished and you can use them for any kind of quilty projects - from pillows and table runners to quilts, or eventually as detail for some kitchen accessories. 

I made the pillow with contrasting fabric piping ( from my Mediterraneo fabric collection) and loved it!!!!

Happy sewing!!!

Katarina

Hi there!

Every new fabric collection I create, makes me think about the projects that would be most suitable to show off my intentions, to gather the inspiration with the final products.
In a quilt-y way of thinking (thinking geometrical;), I wanted to create some blocks that would be easy to make and yet very joyful and summery.
And what better way, than doing the pinwheels, right?

Firstly, I wanted to make these fabric pinwheels.
But, then I realized that I would prefer having them as quilt blocks.


Pinwheel blocks are fun, but even better if they are uncommon and 3D!!!

So, I found several tutorials and videos by browsing the internet for these blocks, and at the end, I decided to gather here my step by step pics of creating these blocks, as they are easy and fun to make!

So, let's get started!

Tools/materials:

- sewing machine
- cutting mat
- scissors, rotary cutter
- rulers
- thread, needle (quality thread and needles)
- iron and ironing board
- pins and/or clips
- fabrics: 3 different prints, 1 fat quarter of each
- batting (cotton or cotton blend)

Prints I used are from my Floralish fabric collection for Art Gallery fabrics:

fabric A: FSH-27407  Citrus Tangerina
fabric B:  FSH-27402  Seed of Iris fabric C: FSH-27406  Dancing Fortunella

Prepare and cut the fabrics:

1. Cut all 3 prints in 5" x 5" squares, so that you have:

-16 (sixteen) 5" x 5" squares in fabric that will be the base for the pinwheels (fabric A)
-8 (eight) 5" x 5" squares in fabric that will be for the pinwheels (fabric B)
-8 (eight) 5" x 5" squares in fabric that will be for the pinwheels (fabric C)

2. With squares from the fabrics B and C make the Half Square Triangles (HSTs):

Place and align two squares of two different fabrics (fabric B and C) right sides together and with a marker or pencil draw a diagonal line across the wrong side of the fabric. Sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line. Cut the unit in half along the drawn center line. Open and press the units with wrong sides facing inside, hiding seams inside.
In this way, you will obtain two HST’s from each unit and will have 16 folded triangles.

3. Trim the folded triangles to 4", as shown in the picture, to get rid off the dog ears and get all nice and precise triangles.

*As you will obtain 4 pinwheel blocks that are double sided, at this point, you can choose if making them so that they have all the same fabric as main, or using both fabrics as main- so that you have 2 pinwheels in fabric B as main and 2 pinwheels in fabric C as main. Another thing that you can play with is the direction of the pinwheel: it can be in clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction.

4.  Place the folded triangles on the background squares, so that the folded diagonal of the triangle is parallel with the square's diagonal line. Pin or clip to obtain all 4 block units, so that they are forming the shape of the pinwheel. Secure the pinwheel triangles with stitches-using the narrow seam allowance ( a bit less than the 1/4"-approximately 1/8″ from the edge of the fabric ) the both sides where triangle is laying.  

5. Complete the steps until you have all 16 units completed and ready to assemble into a quilt blocks.

Take care that you are sewing each folded triangle in the same, desired direction.   

6. Sew the two and two units together of each block, using the 1/4" seam allowance ( so that your previous stitches are within the new stitched lines). The folded triangle areas are very bulky, so sew carefully. Finally, join the pairs together into a quilt block.

Press the units flat before opening to set each seam. Open each unit and with your iron press the seam allowance either open or to one side, upon your preferences. Pressing the seams open eliminates bulk and makes it easier to match the seams.  

Your blocks are finished and you can use them for any kind of quilty projects - from pillows and table runners to quilts, or eventually as detail for some kitchen accessories. 

I made the pillow with contrasting fabric piping ( from my Mediterraneo fabric collection) and loved it!!!!

Happy sewing!!!

Katarina