Pinwheel Daydreams Baby Quilt Pattern: free pinwheel quilt pattern
I love pinwheel quilt patterns! Learn to sew an easy Pinwheel Baby Quilt using big blocks. This free quilt pattern for a Pinwheel Daydreams Baby Quilt is bold and modern, and it only uses 3 different fabrics.
Nothing could be dreamier than this fast and easy pinwheel baby quilt that’s a kaleidoscope of dreams! The large pinwheel blocks sew together easily so you can quickly piece this baby quilt pattern in an afternoon with very little fabric waste.
This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing. Find it here. The free Boxy Duffle Bag Pattern is included in the blog post below and is free to read, print, and sew! Just hit CTRL +P on your computer to print. The PDF pattern is inexpensive and optional. Did you know you can get ALL the Optimized for Printing PDF files organized in a library to access anytime you want? Check it out.
You’ll only need three different fabrics – I suggest choosing light, medium, and dark fabrics (comparatively) to create distinction between all the pinwheels.
I picked solid fabrics, but the big blocks in this quilt lend nicely to the gorgeous big scale prints that we love.
This crib sized quilt finishes at 36’’ x 54’’, which could also be a small lap quilt.
Sew the Pinwheel Daydreams Baby Quilt
You will need:
- 3/4 yard cream colored fabric
- 3/4 yard dark pink fabric
- 1 yard light pink fabric
- 1/2 yard binding fabric
- 2 yards of fabric for the quilt back
- 40’’ x 58’’ piece of quilt batting
- 9 1/2’’ square quilting ruler (optional but very helpful!)
Cutting:
1. Cut the following squares:
- From the cream colored fabric, cut 6 squares 10 1/2’’ x 10 1/2’’
- From the dark pink fabric, cut 6 squares 10 1/2’’ x 10 1/2’’
- From the light pink fabric, cut 12 squares 10 1/4’’ x 10 1/4’’
2. Sub-cut the 10 1/2’’ squares diagonally two times each, so that you have 24 quarter square triangles of cream and 24 quarter square triangles of dark pink.
3. Sub-cut the 10 1/4’’ squares once, so you have 24 larger half square triangles in light pink.
Make the Easy 9 1/2’’ Blocks
Use a 1/4’’ seam allowance. Tip: I use a scant 1/4’’ seam allowance to account for the fabric lost when pressing seams to the side.
1. Place a cream triangle on top of a dark pink triangle (right sides together) and stitch from the square end down to the point.
Press the seam toward the darker fabric.
2. Sew the 2-triangle unit to a larger light pink triangle.
Tips:
- Place the 2-triangle unit on top so that you can ensure the seam between the cream and dark triangles does not get turned the wrong way while sewing.
- Starting to sew on the tip of a triangle like this can cause the fabric to get caught in the needle plate. To prevent that, start sewing on a scrap folded over a couple times – which is known as a leader. After sewing over the leader, place the tip of the triangle under the foot and it should feed smoothly. Cut off the leader before pressing.
3. Press the seam toward the larger triangle and trim the block down to 9 1/2’’ x 9 1/2’’ square.
Repeat to make 24 squares, each 9 1/2’’ x 9 1/2’’.
Make Large Pinwheel Blocks
1. Arrange four 9 1/2’’ blocks as seen above so that the cream colored fabric makes a pinwheel in the center.
2. Sew the blocks together in pairs for the top and bottom of the pinwheel block.
Press the seams in opposite directions.
Then sew the pairs together to make a large pinwheel block.
Repeat to make 6 large pinwheel blocks.
Assemble the Quilt
1. Sew the 6 large pinwheel blocks into 3 rows, each with two blocks. Then sew the rows together.
2. Cut a 40’’ x 58’’ piece of backing fabric and make a quilt sandwich with the backing, batting, and top. Baste together with fusible batting, pins or basting spray.
3. Quilt as desired.
I chose three different free motion motifs, and sewed the same one in each triangle patch of the same color.
This simple quilt pattern would also look great with straight line or wavy line quilting.
4. Cut 5 binding strips and bind using your favorite method. This is my favorite quilt binding method.
As always, I love to see what you are making with my free sewing patterns! Upload a picture to Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or #sewcanshe so I can take a look!
xoxo,
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