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
Take two 5” squares; one will be the background (usually I choose for background the fabric with less busy print) and the other will be used for the pinwheel.
Cut the squares into four 2 1/2” squares. To speed up the cutting process, stack a few squares (4 or even 6).
Fold the pinwheel fabric squares in half diagonally as shown below and pin.
Place the folded piece onto the background square, keeping aligned all the edges. Insert the pin in the position shown below.
In the next step you have to bring the top corner of the folded piece to the bottom corner. You can pin in place but I prefer to do this on the bed of my sewing machine and keep the piece in place with my fingers then immediately sew.
Sew at 1/8” from the right and bottom edges, securing the two pieces together. Repeat with the other 3 sets and follow the same sequence.
You will sew the 4 squares together as shown below.
Place two squares right sides together, keeping aligned ALL the edges and sew at 1/4”.
Your pieces should look like this; do not press the seams at this stage.
Stitch the two halves together, nesting the seams.
Then press the seams as shown below, opening the bulky center.
Press on the right side as well.
The center will remain bulky, but that is not an inconvenient, if you will quilt as I will show below.
Aren’t this assorted pieces wonderful?
The blocks measure 4 1/2”.
What to do with 3D pinwheel blocks?
You can use them for small pieces, pillows, table runners, pouches…
Years ago I made a little basket.
And then a quilt for a 7 year old girl.
You can add borders to the blocks, to make the piecing easier.
You can use blocks in different sizes.
NOTE
If you use scraps (instead of charm squares), if you want, for the pinwheel you can use squares that are smaller than the background squares (as example, 2” instead of 2 1/2”).
How to quilt 3D pinwheel blocks?
Do not stitch in the ditch, if you want to stay sane!
The easiest way? Leave the pinwheel area unquilted! It is quick, easy and it will contribute to the 3D effect!
I hope this ideas give you some inspiration for the wonderful charm packs you have! If you also have yardage from the same collection, you can use it for borders or even for background, keeping the charm squares for pinwheels.
Happy sewing, friends!
Edited to add:
Here is what I made with those blocks!
Click here to buy the pattern
One more!
And a new quilt!
Click here to buy the pattern
PIN IT FOR LATER REFERENCE
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.
Thank you for your support, Shooni. This is the time we all need to do what makes us happy, indeed!
je to paráda
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
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.
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.
Thank you, Glenna. I am glad it helps.
Thank you for such a fun idea. Will try it today.
Always enjoy your posts/ideas.
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.
I am glad to hear this, Cathy!
Thank you,Gema!
🙏😘
What darling pinwheels!!!!!!! We need things like this to cheer us up these days.
Thanks, Geta! Stay well.
So very cute! I love 3-D blocks!
I love your enthusiasm, your willingness to experiment, and I ❤️ your colors!
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!
Thank you very much for your help with these great projuects.
This is so pretty. Thank you.
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.
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,
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
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!!
Thank you for this tutorial. These 3D pinwheels are so cute.
Beautiful quilt! Can’t wait to try it!
Thank you for sharing your handy hints to make life easier for us. Much appreciated!
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
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!
Inspiring work!
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
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
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
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?