A classic pinwheel quilt block is ideal for beginner quilters, but are great for any skill level. It is made using half square triangles.

It is typically made using two colors, a light fabric and a darker fabric. The HST's are arranged to create a pinwheel.

The basic pinwheel block is an great way to get started with quilting. But they look so great they will add beauty to any project.

HOW TO MAKE A PINWHEEL QUILT BLOCK

Once you master the pinwheel block, check out my throw pillow pattern featuring pinwheels.

Or check out these pretty pinwheel quilt patterns.

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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR QUILTING

I've listed some of my go-to quilting supplies.

For this project I really recommend getting a half-square triangle ruler. Cutting the HST's to the perfect size allows you to create the exact size block you want.

There are many kinds. But I prefer the Quilt In A Day version.

fabric
thread
rotary cutter / cutting mat / straight edge
sewing machine (This is my new machine that I absolutely love!)
sewing scissors
pencil
iron and ironing board
square quilting rulers
HST Ruler

You can use any fabric you have on hand. I used some layer cake squares, but you could use charm squares or even just scraps you have left from other projects.

CUTTING MEASUREMENTS FOR A PINWHEEL BLOCK

For this tutorial I am creating a 6 inch block. So the instructions will be using the measurements for that.

Below are listed measurements for different block sizes. I also have a free printable with all the measurements listed together.

Cutting measurements for 3 inch block:

2 light - 2 1/2" squares
2 dark - 2 1/2" squares

Cutting measurements for 6 inch block:

2 light - 4" squares
2 dark - 4" squares

Cutting measurements for 9 inch block:

2 light - 5 1/2" squares
2 dark - 5 1/2" squares

Cutting measurements for 12 inch block:

2 light - 7" squares
2 dark - 7" squares

I've created a FREE printable cheat sheet chart for pinwheel blocks.

HOW TO MAKE A PINWHEEL QUILT BLOCK

Let's get started making this beautiful pinwheel quilt block.

(Link to the video at end of post.)

It's a simple quilt block and pretty easy to make.

MAKING THE HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

First we need to make 4 half-square triangle units. I will also refer to these as HST's.

four 4 inch squares cut and ready to sew

Begin with 4 squares of fabric that are 4" square. Use two white fabrics and two yellow fabrics.

Note: I will refer to the colors used in the tutorial for simplicity's sake. Feel free to use different color combinations if you like.

Using a quilting ruler, line up the 1/4 inch marking with the center of a white square going diagonally from corner to corner.

Draw a line on the edge of the ruler. This will create a line 1/4 inch away from the center.

Repeat this on the other side of the diagonal.

Mark the other white square. These markings are your sewing lines.

Note: Make any markings on the WRONG side of the fabric.

Arrange a yellow square and a white square. Line them up right sides together.

Repeat with remaining squares.

Sew along all drawn lines.

Cut the square in half diagonally, between the two sewn lines.

The next step is to square up the triangle.

I'll explain how to do this if using a Quilt-In-A-Day ruler. There are other rulers and their methods differ.

Before opening up the half square triangle, line up the sewn line on the desired marking on the ruler. We are trimming these HST's to 3 1/2 inches.

So I line up the seam with the 3 1/2 inch marking.

Then simply trim off the excess using the edge of the ruler.

Next, press the seams toward the yellow side. Then trim the tails off the square.

Repeat with remaining HST's.

ASSEMBLING THE PINWHEEL BLOCK

Now it's time to combine the hst units to create the pinwheels.

arranging HST's into a pinwheel formation

Arrange the HST's in a pinwheel formation with the white and yellow alternating with points meeting in the middle.

sewing together top and bottom rows of pinwheel block

With right sides together sew the top two squares and the bottom two squares. Use a quarter inch seam allowance.

Press the the seams for each piece in opposite directions. This will allow your seams to nest nicely. Nesting the seams is how you get those perfect pinwheels and line up those center points.