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    Home » Quilts

    How to Make a Pinwheel Quilt Block – October Quilt Block of the Month

    Updated: Jun 18, 2019 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 5 Comments

    I hope you’re ready to play along with the Block of the Month series here on the Polka Dot Chair!  This month we are continuing the series with a variation of a Pinwheel Quilt Block. This is block #2 of 12.  It’s also designed to be a skill builder block, teaching you how to make a Half Square Triangle!  

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    I hope that you guys had a great time constructing your September Plus Quilt blocks! I know that I really enjoyed making that block, in fact, I ended up making four of them. I’ll show you my other variations on the block later in this post.

    If you missed it be sure to check out this post offering tips and trick to picking out fabric for a quilt.  You can find an index to all the posts in this quilt block series to date by clicking here.

    About our Quilt Block of the Month Series:

    I remember several years ago looking at all of the fantastic quilts I saw in magazines and thinking “I want to do that but don’t even know where to start”. If you’re feeling that way about quilting, I invite you to join in this “block of the month” series.  You just make ONE block a month and at the end, you will have made a quilt ALL BY YOURSELF! Pretty cool huh?!?

    As a reminder, I’m writing these tutorials assuming that you are a beginning quilter in hopes that many of you will “take the plunge” into quilting even if you’ve never quilted before! If you’re an experienced quilter you may find some of the instructions a review, but I wanted to make sure that everyone could play along that wanted to.

    Last month we learned how to stitch simple squares into rows, then stitch those rows into a block. Hopefully, it gave you practice with stitching correct ¼″ seams and matching seams.

    Let’s Make Half Square Triangles!

    Now let’s move on and learn something new, how to make a Half Square Triangle (or HST). HST’s are used a lot in quilting. They are simple to construct and can be rearranged into endless blocks. They are also the building blocks of many other more complex quilt blocks.

    Pinwheel quilt block on linen background

    Today we are going to use the HST’s to create a “boxed in” pinwheel block.  Above you can see my variation using low volume fabric. It’s my “hidden holiday” quilt, so for September we had an apple, and for October I used orange feathers which reminded me of the gorgeous colors all the trees in Kentucky turn every Autumn. For this block, I would recommend using 2 different colors of fabric (last month we just used one color). Pick one color for the pinwheel and one color for the corners.  You can use 2 different prints of the same color if you like.

    Pinwheel Quilt Block Pattern:

    As a reminder, all of the blocks will be 15″ before finishing. There will be 12 blocks and you can choose to add sashing or borders at the end, but we will talk about that after all the blocks are done.

    quilt fabrics on cutting mat

    For the Pinwheel Quilt Block Cut:

    2 pieces 6 ½″ x 6 ½″ of white (or your chosen background) fabric

    2 pieces 6 ½″ x 6 ½″ of color fabric (it can be the same print or two different ones, but keep the color the same)

    4 pieces 2 ½″ x 2 ½″ for corners

    4 pieces 2 ½″ x 11 ½″ from background fabric.

    You will also need (affiliate links):

    Fabric marking pen (I use Frixion pens, they disappear when heat is applied to most fabrics, test on a swatch first)

    6″ wide ruler (you most likely have this, it’s a common size quilt rule), you can also buy a shorter version like the one I used here

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    1. Begin by marking a diagonal line on the wrong side of one of your 6 ½″ x 6 ½″ background pieces.

    Place it right sides facing with the 6 ½″ x 6 ½″ colored fabric piece.

    2. Stitch down each side of the marked line, exactly ¼″ from the line.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    3. Using your quilt ruler and rotary cutter, cut along the drawn line. You will have 2 pieces that look like this.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    Press the pieces with the seams going towards the darker fabric. Be careful not to distort the shape.  Repeat for other 6 ½″ x 6 ½″ squares.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    4. Square Up the Block.

    Place the 45 degree angle of your 6″ wide ruler along the seam between the two fabrics on the block.  Trim any excess fabric. This is referred to as “squaring up” your blocks. Normal distortion occurs as you stitch as press the HST and you want to make sure it’s a perfect square before you proceed.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    Flip the ruler the other way and trim the opposite sides.

    5. To Assemble the Block

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    Stitch 2 sets of 2 HST pieces together in the arrangement show above. Don’t sew all 4 pieces together yet. Press seams toward the darker fabric.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    On the back of the stitched pieces, clip the seam ¼″ up from the edge. Press this section of the seam OPEN. This will help you reduce the bulk at the center of the block caused by overlapping seam allowances.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    Finish stitching the 4 HST’s together. Make sure to match that center seam.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    Clip ¼″ on each side of the seam you just stitched. Press this section open.

    6. Add Outside Borders

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    Stitch one 2 ½″ x 2 ½″ piece to the  2 ½″ ends of two of the 2 ½″ x 11 ½″ pieces.  Press seams towards the darker fabric.

    Stitch  the remaining 2 ½″ x 11 ½″ pieces to the two sides of the sewn pin wheel block.  Press seams to one side.

    Stitch the sewn strip/corner pieces to the top and bottom of the block. Press all seams.

    Trim and square up the block to 15″ x 15″

    That’s it you’re done!

    Pinwheel quilt block on linen background

    At this point, it’s kinda fun because you can start to see how the quilt will come together. It will also give you a good idea of what direction you want to head color wise with the rest of your blocks.  We will keep adding it colors as we go, next month count on 3-4 colors per block.

    More Pinwheel Quilt Block Coloring Ideas:

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    Here is the gray background version I’m working on for my teenage son. Yes, I’m being brave and sewing something for my 14 year old son! This will have to be a long quilt as I’m sure he’ll break the 6 foot mark before it’s finished.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.
    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    and, here’s the Christmas version that I started working on. It’s ivory linen background and almost all of the fabrics are from the “Little Joys” line from Elea Lutz for Penny Rose Fabric.

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.
    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.
    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    UPDATE: You can now purchase a PDF with ALL of the block instructions for each month in one place!! Click here to PURCHASE

    Okay now go forth and STITCH!  I can’t wait to see your blocks!

    The October Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.

    More Free Quilt Block Tutorials:

    String Pieced Half Square Triangle Block

    Sawtooth Star Quilt Block

    Square in Square Quilt Block Tutorial

    Lake Days Quilt Block Pattern

    More Projects You'll Love!

    • The September Quilt Block of the Month, a variation of a simple pinwheel block. Join in the block of the month series and make a quilt one month at a time.
      How to Make a Plus Quilt Block - September Block of the Month
    • The January Block of the Month on polkadotchair.com - Learn how to make a simple turnstile quilt block - complete one quilt block each month to make yourself a quilt!
      How to Make a Turnstile Quilt Block - January Block of the Month
    • Free Quilt Tutorial and Pattern for a Keystone Quilt block; the March Block of the Month offered on the Polka Dot Chair Blog
      How to Make a Keystone Quilt Block - the March Block of the Month
    • The July Quilt Block of the Month; the Ohio Star Quilt Block, includes full measurements and directions to make the block.
      How to Make an Ohio Star Quilt Block - The July Block of the Month
    « The Best Sewing Tips and Tricks
    Introducing the Wonderland Fabric Collection »

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Green says

      November 01, 2015 at 10:00 pm

      Hi,

      Enjoying this so far, but ran into a problem today. My 11 1/2″ strips were too short. If the 4 quadrants finish at 6″ ea, then together they would measure 12″. Should the directions say to cut 4 strips 2 1/2″‘ x 12″?

      Thanks for the BOM. I’ll post pictures of my efforts,

      Mary

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        November 06, 2015 at 4:00 pm

        It should be 11 1/2, you have two 6×6 pieces…. after they are sewn you lose 1/4″ from each due to seam allowances leaving you with a piece that is 11 1/2″ wide

        Reply
    2. VirginiaL Nicely says

      June 25, 2016 at 5:30 pm

      I’m a new quilter, just started a couple months ago. My first 2 quilts were done with the method “quilt as you go” and I think they turned out pretty decent. Now I’m doing a regular quilt and am in the process of machine quilting it; must say that it is not easy doing this method so I’ll have to practice practice practice a lot, lol. Anyway I just wanted to say thank you for being so kind in helping us quilters out here. My next project is a Christmas table runner that will need several HST, your tutorial on them is giving me a lot of help. Thanks again. I will be on your site a lot now that I know of it.

      Reply
    3. Stephanie, Florida says

      November 05, 2018 at 10:12 am

      I practiced this one and it didn’t work out right. Love your blocks, will keep trying!

      Reply
    4. Loisjean says

      September 28, 2020 at 6:11 pm

      Melissa,

      I’m confused! Not unusual for me. You said to square up the first block to 15 inches square. But in a comment for the first block said the quilt without sashes or borders would be 45″ by 60″. Wouldn’t it be accurate to say that quilt of just the 12 blocks would be 43.5″ by 58″. I was guessing by cutting 3.5″ squares for September, to square the block to 15.5″ square and finish at 15″ after piecing the blocks together. HELP before I do any more blocks!

      Reply

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    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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