Here is how I would approach the making of pinwheels from pre-cut squares. (Click on images to enlarge)
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- Select a stack of pre-cut squares
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- Use a mechanical pencil and a ruler to trace a diagonal line as shown in the picture.
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- Take a strip of background fabric that is slightly wider than your squares. Place the squares on the strip of background fabric, right sides together and pin.
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- On both sides of the marked line and 1/4″ away from it stitch a parallel line.
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- Traveling from one square to another
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- Stitching 1/4″ away from the marked line
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- Remove pins and press to set the stitches
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- use a ruler and a rotary cutter to separate the squares.
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- Trim the squares. Sometimes the pre-cut squares are not so square
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- Cut in between the seams.
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- This is how it looks after cutting in between the seams.
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- These are four squares to make two pinwheels.
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- Press the triangles.
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- Press towards the dakler fabric.
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- Pressing towards the darker fabric.
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- Four half-triangle squares. Notice the four green sections are from two different fabrics. My stack of squares didn’t have repeated squares. I used two very similar fabrics.
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- Remove the bunny ears to make the next step easier.
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- These are also made from two different fabrics.
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- Getting ready to sew the pinwheels
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- Place a pin on the side to be sewn,
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- Always press after sewing.
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- Nicely pressed
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- Notice the dark fabric in the seam allowance. I trim it so that it will not create a shadow when quilting the project.
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- Small piece of dark fabric has been trimmed.
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- Lay out the sections for the second seam.
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- Or like this. Half triangle squares are very versatil.
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- Stabing the points.
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- Pin. Stabing pin will be removed.
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- Sew. Use a stiletto to hold pieces where you really need them to be.
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- Pins are always perpendicular to the edge you are sewing.
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- Remove pins as you go.
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- All done sewing.
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- And here is the other one
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- Press.
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- Here are the two pinwheels.
If the first one you make is not perfect, don’t worry, the next one will be better.