12 Squared

I have always wanted a Pinwheel quilt. I love them. I love how simple and complex they are. I love how you can create a sense of the fabric moving and changing.

I have joined a Virtual Quilting Bee. And I am so stinkin' excited about it! Each month, one person picks a quilt block design and each other member creates a block for them. So at the end of my month, I will have the sample block I made and 11 people will send me their blocks. Then I can have fun with sashing, borders, etc. and make a beautiful quilt!

I volunteered for January since this is the perfect opportunity to create my lovely pinwheel quilt! I figured it would also be something more simple as we dive in!

Here is my Spinning Pinwheel! Becca raised the question of whether we should make the blocks actually 12.5" square so that it will 12" square finished in our quilts. I did the math and after screwing up myself (this lovely beauty below is actually 11.5" square-I get to make another one tomorrow! :) I did my math again and you would have to cut 3.75" x 6.75" blocks and that seems cruel if you're not familiar with a rotary cutter. So, if it's okay with everyone, I rounded up and they should be 12.5" square when you're done. ....I think. :)

Start with four different fabric scraps. I chose two deeper reds and two rosier colors for the contrast.

Cut eight blocks 4"x7", two of each fabric.
Sew your "matching" fabrics together to create squares.
Press your seams flat.

Cut each square diagonally to create 8 triangles.
Lay our your triangles and match contrasting colors .
Sew triangles together to create four squares and press seams again.
Sew your squares together to create a lovely pinwheel!
I can't wait to see what you all come up with for my lovely rainbow of pinwheels!!!