Pinwheel help
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Galesburg, IL
Posts: 23
Pinwheel help
I need help. My mind just does not operate in mathematical mode. I want a 6 inch pinwheel in my quilt. I want to cut out 2 squares and sew around the perimeter and cut it corner to corner. There's probably a name for this but I don't know what it is. I tried cutting 6 1/2 inch squares but when I put the pinwheel together it was 7 5/8 inches square. It made it beautiful pinwheel but it's too big. How did this happen? What size do I cut my squares to get a 6 inch square? Am I making this too difficult?
#3
i cut mine one inch larger, make them and then trim using the 45 degree line down the seam.
here is a sight.
http://www.quiltchat.com/lessons/halfsqr.html
here is a sight.
http://www.quiltchat.com/lessons/halfsqr.html
Last edited by nativetexan; 01-12-2012 at 03:15 PM.
#4
does the 6" pinwheel mean with or without seam allowance?
Your 6-1/2" squares came out 7-5/8", so 1-1/8" larger than it started. Try cutting your squares 1-1/8" smaller than the size you want it. You can do it with paper and sew it so you don't waste fabric trying it out. If it is only a little big, I'd make them bigger and square the blocks down to the size you want. Be sure to starch your fabric before you cut - you'll have a lot of bias edges.
Your 6-1/2" squares came out 7-5/8", so 1-1/8" larger than it started. Try cutting your squares 1-1/8" smaller than the size you want it. You can do it with paper and sew it so you don't waste fabric trying it out. If it is only a little big, I'd make them bigger and square the blocks down to the size you want. Be sure to starch your fabric before you cut - you'll have a lot of bias edges.
#5
Eddie used that method a while back. I can't get his pics to open, but if you send him a message thru here or his blog, maybe he can provide more info.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...lt-t27766.html
http://arkansasmanquilter.blogspot.com/search?q=fig
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...lt-t27766.html
http://arkansasmanquilter.blogspot.com/search?q=fig
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
if you are cutting diagonally you need to divide the finished size by 1.414-then round up- so- if you want 6" pinwheel squares you could cut your squares- 4 1/4" (or 4 1/2" & trim to size)
6" divided by 1.414=4.24 this size when cut diagonally will give you 6" bias edges.
6" divided by 1.414=4.24 this size when cut diagonally will give you 6" bias edges.
#8
i did some+ very happy with them--felt i had more control of the end size------starched ++ made it so they were bigger than needed [i did it by sewing paper!!!!!] then cut them back using diagonal seam to get them square
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern California mountains
Posts: 12,538
I am in agreement on cutting HSTs 1" larger than the finished size I want. In theory, this gives me 1/8" for perfection in trimming. For a 6" (finished size) pinwheel, begin with 2 squares that are 4" for each color.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
7
07-04-2011 08:32 PM