Take 40 x 5″ squares of patterned or mixed plain colours and 40 x 5″ squares
of a plain light colour.
Pair up each of the 40 light coloured squares with a darker or patterned square.
With right sides together, sew a quarter inch seam right around the edge.
Next cut across diagonally twice to give four quarter square triangles.
Press seams towards the darker fabric.
Arrange the four pieces into a pinwheel. Make sure all of your other pinwheels
rotate the same way (unless you want a mixture).
Put right side over left side and sew pairs together, taking care to “nest” the
seams so they snuggle up next to each other.
Press the two halves by placing the dark edge at the top and lifting.
Now you need to sew these two pieces together. Remember to nest the seams.
It gets quite bulky in the middle so it is a good idea to snip the stitches on the
seam and flatten with your fingers before pressing. It is a little confusing to
know where to snip but just push the new seams with your fingers to the dark
fabric and is becomes clearer where to cut. You should get a little pinwheel on
the back. How cute is that?
Here is one I made ealier…..
This one is ready to be squared up to four and a half inches.
Here are my 40 pinwheels.
Oh Sew Tempting 
claire93
/ March 4, 2012gosh, you make it look so simple ^^
and yes, your fabric is full of some gorgeous colours
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 4, 2012Thanks Claire 🙂 If I can do this anyone can. Your blocks are looking gorgeous too!
Tabatha
/ March 5, 2012Wha, I love the way you pressed the centre of that block, I’ll have to try that next time!!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012Yes, I think it is on the video I mentioned. I get really nervous about snipping stitches!! Thank you for reading my blog. I’ll look out for your pinwheels in future 🙂
argonzalez312
/ March 5, 2012I love this idea… I have a 5 inch square pack I wanted to buy but I had no idea what to make!!!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012Now you can have a go too 😉 I’m not sure what else I’ll be putting with the pinwheels. Watch this space! Avis x
Victoria
/ March 5, 2012ooooo! I’m so inspired to do this now! I wish I had a charm pack right now! I never bought one no matter how tempting since I didn’t really know what to do with them.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012Aaaah! There’s nothing like a blog for inspiration 🙂 You could always cut charms from scraps. It didn’t take long to cut my cream ones. Avis x
jackybeertje
/ March 5, 2012I have to try that some time. I never tried to make a pinwheel, or any kind of block with triangles. You make it look really easy.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012Just be really careful with the pressing. They will distort easily. Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂
amysworlds
/ March 5, 2012Hellooo!
Thank you for falling into my evil clutches….*cough* i mean, joinging my mailing list, yes….indeed *big cheesy grin*
This is a very useful tutorial…I’m torn between hexagon paper piercing and half-squares for my next quilt, On one hand I have a handy ruler (http://store.junetailor.com/store/p-45-half-square-quarter-square-triangles-ruler.aspx) that I haven’t had a chance to break out of it’s wrapping yet…but on the other hand I’ve been cutting out haxagons when i’ve been early for work and now have about 500…. Choices choices,,,
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012Yes, I read about your hexagons Wow!! I haven’t tried hand piecing as I simply dont have the time. Must give up the day job 🙂 I really enjoyed your blog and love the variety of things you get up to. Thanks for reading mine. Avis x
amysworlds
/ March 5, 2012I haven’;t really got the time…I just have a lot of…well time to make one in that I don’t care if it takes a year 🙂
In regards to your comment to Victoria though…what are ‘charms’?
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012As far as I’m aware, they are square patches of any size but Moda pre-cut theirs to 5″ square. If a quilt is made from really small squares, it is called a postage stamp quilt. They are worth searching for on the net, they are right up your street from what I’ve seen on your blog 🙂 and you could certainly make them up in the car!
initforthehoney
/ March 5, 2012Fabulous pinwheels Oh Sew Tempting! So neat! I borrowed mum’s rotary cutter yesterday in order to cut the lengths of Japanese inspired fabrics I bought last month but won’t be attempting pin wheels just yet. Despite your great and detailed ‘how to’ I don’t have the confidence/ skill to try such a project. Instead of log cabin I’m going to try brick wall effect. Loved the reading your most recent posts. Best of luck with the quilting in whichever thread you choose. Variegated sounds fun!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012Oooh! Brick wall effect sounds good. Don’t forget to blog about the progress. i’m looking out for a red, white and blue variegated thread 🙂 for my sampler quilt.
Teje & Nero
/ March 5, 2012Hi! Your fabrics are so beautiful! That is a great way to make pinwheeles – I use the same sewing/cutting method!
x Teje
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012Yes, they went together really quickly. My other pinwheels quilt was made the same way but using a layer cake instead of a charm pack 🙂
sleepycathollow
/ March 5, 2012Love pinwheels ~ I’ve made them using that method, very easy indeed! 🙂 Can’t wait to see them altogether!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 5, 2012I wonder how this method is. I suppose it was invented for machine piecing.
Today I’m thinking about putting Irish Chain in between the pinwheels. Tomorrow….who knows 🙂
weddingdressblue
/ March 6, 2012I have used that method before. It is a wonder! Yours are beautiful and the layout in the last picture deserves to be framed or something. Lovely!
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 6, 2012Aw! Thank you 🙂 I really enjoyed making them all. Avis x
candy56
/ March 7, 2012Love the colors in your blocks. Makes me want to leave work and go home and piece some of them!
Occasional Crafter
/ March 11, 2012Snap! 🙂 I bet you finish your quilt in less time than it took me though! Lovely tutorial, and fabrics.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ March 11, 2012Well, I’m going to do something with those pinwheels today. I’ve got a day off 🙂
OkeCrafter
/ June 9, 2013Very pleased to find this tutorial! I haven’t done patchwork for years, but I’m feeling quite inspired now. Thank you.
Oh Sew Tempting
/ June 9, 2013That’s great. I’m too busy working to do patchwork at the moment but I’ll get back to mine soon 🙂 Enjoy!