Three in one Quilt Square idea (part two)

I told you this would take a few posts. If you want the supplies list and specifications, see the previous post. Here we are back for a second square. By now you probably have mastered, or at least are comfortable with, sewing in a straight line and cutting using a ruler. These are important skills to master when starting to learn quilting. The next important skill to learn is that of matching pieces into the correct places. I know I have some trouble getting it right and if you don't, you'll know fairly quickly. Still, it can be tricky and if you don't match on your first one, you can either take the stitches out and try again or do better on the next square. So let's get on with it.

Second Quilt Block: Pinwheel

This is a great all-purpose square that the pinwheel is only one of several ways this can turn out, although you will have to use two full sheets at least 7x7 to make a full-sized square. Let me show you.

1. First things first. Remember how I had you neatly layer your fabric before the cut in the last post? Remember how I had you place right sides together to sew them? We need the right sides together with the edges meeting as neatly as possible. We are going to sew all four sides together at 1/4", like in the last pattern.

2. Next, we need to cut this sandwiched fabric into quarters. To do so, we need to place the ruler (we only need one for this pattern) from corner to corner, careful to keep the fabric flat and straight. Once you do so, carefully place the ruler across the opposite corners so as not to move the fabric in the process. Open each triangle to form a new square and iron them flat.

3. Arrange them in the pattern you want. In this case, we are going to arrange them in a pinwheel shape. To do this, arrange the points into the center.

4. Fold two neighboring squares together, right sides touching, neatly - especially regarding the side that will abut the rest of the squares. If it is easier for you, pin them together, do so. Sew these two together, making sure to sew the side that will connect them. Iron flat.

5. Repeat step 4 with the other two squares.

6. For this step, you will definitely need pins. In order to ensure all points meet in the center, you will use your pins to connect them while you check how accurate you are. Once the pieces are exactly matched up, you will then sew the two sides of the pinwheel together and iron flat.

If you have done it correctly, all four corners of the pattern will form into a single point. If not, don't worry. The first few times can be tricky. The next post will show two creative ways to combine these two patterns into a single square.