Patchwork Pinwheel Block

Start your next quilt with a colorful and cheerful quilt block pattern like this Patchwork Pinwheel Block. Combine different fabric pieces and color schemes to design the framework for new patchwork quilt patterns for any time of year. Quilt blocks like this don't take long to put together and are great for beginners who need practice piecing together individual quilt blocks. Once you've added a nice border, you'll be one step closer to completing your next pinwheel quilt pattern.

Tools:

• Cutting Mat (18" x 24")
• Classic Stick Rotary Cutter (60 mm)

Instructions:

1. To begin, I cut four fabrics into 4 inch (+seam allowances) squares. I used the acrylic block here, so that my squares were perfectly cornered
   
   
    
2. Next, I stitched these four blocks to form a simple patchwork as seen here:
   
   
    
3. Using the Fiskars 60mm rotary stick cutter and an acrylic ruler, I cut into this patchwork, with two intersecting 45 degree cuts. Make sure you press your seams out, before cutting!
   
   
    
4. Next, I moved these cut out triangles around till I had a color balance I liked
   
   
    
5. I then stitched along the angled seam, to join two triangles each together
   
   
    
6. I pressed open seam allowances and ironed them flat. I then joined these two triangles together to re-form a square
   
   
    
7. Finally I added a 1 inch border on the top and bottom, and another two tall strips to form my side borders of the block. I then trimmed my block to size using a 8.5 by 8.5 inch acrylic block, resulting in a perfect block with sharp points and edges