Pinwheels

After you have your Half Square Triangles, it is time to assemble the pinwheels. I choose a Bella Solids White Charm Pack to offset the Bella Solids 30s Color Charm Pack. The Bella Solids 30s Color Charm Pack has ten pastel colors. There are four of each color, except for the yellows--they have five. Review the Half Square Triangle Tutorial to see how to make the squares needed for the pinwheels.

Figure 1.1

To make the pinwheels make sure your half square triangles are ironed out into squares before you start piecing them together. For the purpose of this tutorial, I’ve numbered the four half square triangles as follows: B1, B2, B3, and B4. Also, trim off the dog ears, they will only get in the way.

You will need:
- The half square triangles
- Coordinating thread
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Sewing machine (of course)

Steps

Figure 1.2

1. First, take one set of half square triangles (all the same pastel color) and with the right side of the fabric up, lay one block (B1) where the colored triangle half is on the top right and the white triangle half is on the bottom left (See Figure 1.2).

2. Next to that first square, lay your second half square triangle (B2) next to B1 horizontally. This time flip B2 so that the colored triangle half is on the bottom right and the white triangle is on the top left (See Figure 1.2).

3. Now, take your third half square triangle (B3) and place it below B1 so that the color triangle is on the top left and the white triangle is on the bottom right (See Figure 1.2).

4. Then, take your final half square triangle (B4) and place it next to B3 horizontally and below B2 vertically. Make sure the color triangle is on the bottom left of the block and the white triangle is on the top right (See Figure 1.3)

5. Next, fold B2 onto B1, right sides of the fabric together.

6. Then, fold B4 onto B1, right sides of the fabric together.

Figure 1.3

7. Be care taking these blocks to the sewing machine if you have to move far. If they get out of place, you may have to reset the whole pinwheel before sewing.

8. Sew a ¼ inch seam down the right hand side of the folded blocks.

Figure 1.4

9. Unfold blocks and iron seam into place. Seams should be ironed in opposite directions.

10. After ironing, fold the top half of the pinwheel (now B1) onto the bottom half of the pinwheel (now B2) (See figure 1.4).

11. Sew these two half together horizontally. Make sure the centers are lined up with the seams sitting opposite of one another. Iron pinwheel out. (See figure 1.4)

12. Repeat all eleven steps with remaining half square triangles.

Figure 1.5

at the colored triangle half is on the bottom right and the white triangle is on the top left (See Figure 1.5).