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3D Pinwheel Tutorial

March 28, 2020 34 Comments

3D pinwheel tutorial

How many charm square packs do you have at home? I don’t collect charm squares, I don’t buy everything that is new or I like and still I have 4 charm packs! So if you don’t know how to use them, here is an idea: 3D pinwheels.  You can make this design as scrappy as you want (using your scraps), but I think the assorted squares of a collection you find in a pack make the design even more beautiful.

If you don’t know how to sew 3D pinwheels, here are a few short instructions.

3D Pinwheel Tutorial

For one block you need 4 squares for the background and 4 squares for the pinwheel.

3D pinwheel tutorial

Fold the pinwheel fabric squares in half diagonally as shown below and pin.

3D pinwheel tutorialPlace the folded piece onto the background square.

3D pinwheel tutorialBring the top corner of the folded piece to the bottom corner.

3D pinwheel tutorialSew at 1/8” from the right and bottom edges, securing the two pieces together. Repeat with the other 3 sets.

3D pinwheel tutorialSew the 4 squares together using 1/4” seam allowance.

3D pinwheel tutorial

Your block should look like this.

3D pinwheel tutorial

You may also like:

3D pinwheels with a twist

Fun with folded strips

Fussy cutting tips

Next-level Kaleidoscope Experience

Double sided fabric napkins- tutorial

Game changing habit

Here are a few of my blocks.

3D pinwheel tutorial

Aren’t these assorted pieces wonderful?

3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial
The fabrics are from an old collection by Ellis and Higgs for Riley Blake.

Here is what I made with those blocks!
Between the blocks shown above I inserted pinwheels in a smaller size! This takes the design to the next level!

3D pinwheels quilt pattern

I just had to make one more pillow!

3D pinwheels quilt patternAnd a quilt, too!

3D pinwheels quilt pattern3D pinwheels quilt pattern

If you want to learn all the secrets of this technique- what makes it easy and fun – click below!

Other ideas for 3D pinwheel blocks

3D pinwheel tote bag pattern
Pattern for this bag here

You can use them for other small pieces, like table runners, pouches, little bags…

How about combining pinwheels with the kaleidoscope technique?
Click here to learn how to sew the easiest kaleidoscope!


3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial

Here is an older quilt I made for a 7-year-old girl.

3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial

3D pinwheel tutorial

I hope these ideas give you some inspiration!

Happy sewing, friends!

IN IT FOR LATER REFERENCE

3D pinwheel tutorial

 

 

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Filed Under: quilting tutorials

Comments

  1. Shonni Moore says

    March 28, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    Hve been getting your mails for a while since seeing the first thing liked. Not made anything yet, but just bought two patterns this week, have a few of the free and am so excited with the last two releases you did. Needed something new, something would like to make, and these are calling me. Thankyou so much for the beautiful designs you have and share.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      March 28, 2020 at 3:43 pm

      Thank you for your support, Shooni. This is the time we all need to do what makes us happy, indeed!

      Reply
    • Dagmar says

      April 7, 2020 at 3:18 pm

      je to paráda

      Reply
  2. Gladys Hontz says

    March 28, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    Hello Geta! I am so glad and blessed to have found your website. I love your ideas. The pin wheel on I fell in love with immediately. Do you have or will their be a pattern available for this. Please let me know. Thank you!, looking forward to your next email, always a joy to read them!

    Gladys Hontz
    Rg4glad@ptd,net

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      March 28, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      No pattern but you have here everything you need, Gladys. Make block in any size you want. You can add borders to the blocks and sew a quilt in the needed size. Please let me know if you have other questions.

      Reply
  3. Glenna C Denman says

    March 28, 2020 at 3:57 pm

    Your pinwheels are so clever. Thank you for sharing with a tutorial on how to make them and use them. You are so talented and so generous.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      March 28, 2020 at 3:58 pm

      Thank you, Glenna. I am glad it helps.

      Reply
  4. Charlotte says

    March 28, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Thank you for such a fun idea. Will try it today.
    Always enjoy your posts/ideas.

    Reply
  5. Cathy Dewey says

    March 28, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Thank you so much for today’s inspiration using the 3D pinwheels. I needed that! You put a smile on my face and joy in my heart knowing how I can be productive and distracted today.

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      March 28, 2020 at 4:31 pm

      I am glad to hear this, Cathy!

      Reply
  6. Ione says

    March 28, 2020 at 4:36 pm

    Thank you,Gema!
    🙏😘

    Reply
  7. Sue says

    March 28, 2020 at 5:01 pm

    What darling pinwheels!!!!!!! We need things like this to cheer us up these days.
    Thanks, Geta! Stay well.

    Reply
  8. Michele Bacha says

    March 28, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    So very cute! I love 3-D blocks!

    Reply
  9. Sherry O. says

    March 28, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    I love your enthusiasm, your willingness to experiment, and I ❤️ your colors!

    Reply
  10. Karen Rosen says

    March 28, 2020 at 8:49 pm

    What a good idea for using my stash of squares. I have been busy cutting scraps into squares etc. and finding ways to use them up. I have way more fun planning and then don’t get to the sewing. So now it is back to the machine!

    Reply
  11. June Fielding says

    March 28, 2020 at 11:51 pm

    Thank you very much for your help with these great projuects.

    Reply
  12. Sandra says

    March 29, 2020 at 3:43 am

    This is so pretty. Thank you.

    Reply
  13. Rosemary Jack says

    March 29, 2020 at 3:44 am

    Thank you for these lovely pinwheels they are so cute, I love your patterns and designs, I am so frustrated as I have a broken arm right now but am so looking forward to making something with these. Yes it did make me smile, I cannot wait to get sewing again.

    Reply
  14. Carol says

    March 29, 2020 at 2:40 pm

    Hi Getta! Love your ideas and color choices. You have very unique ideas and share lots of helpful hints. I have ordered several patterns from your site. One just 3 days ago. Upon looking at your site again, I managed to see your travel bag. Just love it. Just wanted to know if you have any coupons as there is a place for it on your order site. Kindly advise.

    Thanks,

    Reply
  15. Carol says

    March 29, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    Hi Getta! Just love your designs and patterns. Have purchased several of them. Upon placing an order there is a site for “coupons”. Is there a code for it? Please let me know.

    Carol

    Reply
  16. Rosalee says

    March 29, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    Geta, what an amazingly talented lady you are! Inspiring and beautiful pinwheels, look like such fun. I need to do this!!! This is exactly what we need for our shut-in days! Thank you “sew” very much for all you do and your generosity, you are appreciated!!

    Reply
  17. Susans says

    March 30, 2020 at 1:10 am

    Thank you for this tutorial. These 3D pinwheels are so cute.

    Reply
  18. Mim says

    March 30, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Beautiful quilt! Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  19. Lizz says

    March 31, 2020 at 12:01 pm

    Thank you for sharing your handy hints to make life easier for us. Much appreciated!

    Reply
  20. Karen says

    May 16, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    such a great idea, I stop in now and then to see what you are up to and these are so cute – I love them

    Reply
  21. Ann Bailey says

    July 21, 2020 at 12:53 pm

    Gita, your work is just so perfect and stunning! I’m always looking for different ideas for my Etsy shop and your blog inspires me!

    Reply
  22. Ann Bailey says

    July 21, 2020 at 12:55 pm

    Inspiring work!

    Reply
  23. Ilona Monaghan says

    September 1, 2020 at 9:08 pm

    Having family in Canada you site is wonderful. Have spent a long time pondering over which thing I could try as I am still learning how to quilt. A cup and crumb wee quilt and the two cushion covers using the pinwheel blocks.
    Anyway – thanks for the “education”
    I am only a learner with a sewing machine too!
    Regards
    Ilona

    Reply
  24. Jan Ochs says

    September 12, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    Sew happy to have found your site. Pinwheels seem easy, but yet present a challenge. I make grocery shopping bags from cut-up old jeans. This will add a new interesting design. thank you – look forward to more, Jan

    Reply
  25. Teala says

    September 13, 2020 at 3:30 am

    How do I get the emails that you send out I love your patterns I really would love to do the 3D pinwheel quilt but not sure on what I have to have
    Thank you
    Teala

    Reply
  26. Mimi says

    April 3, 2022 at 3:51 pm

    Thank you so much for your tutorial! It is beautiful. I do not prewash my fabric. I would like to add this technique to a quilt I started. Is there an issue after washing?

    Reply
  27. Ann Bailey says

    September 4, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    Geta, I feel like this person is lying about this being her work. Is it yours? I see the quilt behind it that you use to display your items.

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/333862917427958/?multi_permalinks=1261901951290712&ref=share

    Reply
  28. Joan says

    November 8, 2022 at 1:30 am

    I can see these in holiday fabrics, with a backing and tie them to gifts. Recipient could then use them as an ornament.

    Reply
  29. Susie says

    March 12, 2024 at 4:46 pm

    I was browsing for easy quilts to do and found your web site. The pinwheels look very interesting. Thank you wanting to help those of new to quilting.

    Reply

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