Pinwheel Toss {tutorial}

2020 Update: I made a new version of this block to share on Instagram! If you make one, please tag it #pinwheeltoss and tag me @cloverandviolet. You are welcome to use the block for quilting bees. And if you want your finished block to measure 12” instead of 13”, just replace all the 5” measurements for 4 1/2”. I hope you enjoy it!
Pinwheel Toss Block

This is a fun and easy block that measures 13″ {finished} and has lots of options to mix and match prints and solids.  I made mine out of leftover charm squares, but the size could easily be adjusted by using different size squares.  You’ll need:

I made my pinwheels first.  Pair one printed square with one white square, right sides together, and sew 1/4″ from the edge all the way around the square {1}, cut the square diagonally into four half-square-triangles {2}, press the half-square-triangles open and trim to 3″ square {3}, sew all four together to make a pinwheel and trim to 5″ square {4}.  Repeat for a second pinwheel.

Arrange the two 5″ pinwheels and the seven remaining printed squares into a nine patch with the pinwheels in opposite corners.

Sew the nine squares together {I sewed three rows of three, then sewed the rows together}.

Then, cut your large nine patch down the center both vertically and horizontally, into four equal squares.

Leave the pinwheel squares in place, but swap and rotate the remaining squares so that the small center square is pointing to the outside corner,

Then simply sew the four squares back together and your block is complete!

And, just in case you wanted to see a plain version, here is the outline for the block:

And a diagram of a 3 x 3 quilt:

Happy sewing and quilting!

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18 Comments

  1. Jennie, I saw your guest post earlier. It’s wonderful. Love this block, the colors, and how it comes together with a few slides of the rotary cutter. Happy Thanksgiving!

  2. I love your block and your fabric! I am sure I have more than a few charm squares laying around and that looks like a fun project. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Hello Jennie & Clara, I found your lovely Pinwheel Toss block on “Sew we Quilt”. It is just darling and I would like to know if I could share your block with my Hive members for my BOM turn? I would love to make a quilt with your pattern and have my have members help me! Thank you…Bouncypoodle (Pattiann)

  4. I would like to make the Pinwheel Toss…Would you email me the tutorial…
    I love your web site. Beautiful projects…

  5. I guess I’m a little tardy leaving a reply, just found you! Love this idea, and looking into my charm pack stash right now!!!! Cleaver!!! Thanks.

  6. I love Disappearing 9 Patch and was really happy to see such a cool twist on it. I have been looking for a pattern to use for a new light jacket I am starting. I will be making some “yardage” first then cut out the jacket. Thank you for sharing.

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