Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

Working with Blocks

Arrange the four HST units as shown

above and sew the HSTs together in pairs.

Press the seam of one unit in the opposite

direction to the other unit.

Sew the two halves of the block together,

so that each of the smaller half square

triangles meets an opposing colour, as

shown here.

Press the seams and you will have

completed your very first Pinwheel block.

Turn to page 104 for our guide to turning

your blocks into a one-of-kind quilt.

A

Pinwheel block is made up
of four half square triangle
(HST) units, which are
sewn together to form squares
These squares are joined up to
form one larger square with the
contrasting colours and tones of
your fabrics forming a pretty

pinwheel effect. Quilts made

with these blocks give a

wonderful summery feel like

breeze on a beach or retro

sweets... who can resist?

To start, you’ll need to know how to

make up the basic half square triangle

units that make up the components of

the Pinwheel block – see our

step-by-step guide on page 83.

The example below makes a

Pinwheel block that’s 8in (20.3cm)

square unfinished (7½in/19cm once

pieced into a quilt). See specific project

instructions for notes on what size

block is required for a particular quilt.

SPINNING TRIANGLES MAKE FOR A

SUMMERY LOOK WITH THIS BLOCK

Make four half square triangle units from

4¾in (12cm) starting squares. It’s best to

make two at a time. Trim each unit down

to 4¼in (10.8cm) square.

1

3

2

4

Pinwheel block

Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 117