Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 21 - Double Pinwheel

Because I didn't really know the name of this block, I've been calling it a Double Pinwheel block. However, recently I've found a similar block referred to as End of the Day block or Whirligig for Your Child. Regardless of what it is called, this block is super easy and the blocks can be used together in 1 quilt or it can be a 2 for 1 quilt.

The instructions for the Double Pinwheel block actually make 2 blocks that have a different look. Choose which one you like best or use both. This method actually makes a 6¼ finished block, so you will have to trim it to fit the 6" sampler quilt.

Fabrics

Background Fabric: Cut 1 strip 2¼ inches wide. Subcut strip into 4 rectangles 21/4 by 4 inches.
Medium Light: Cut 1 strip 2¼ inches wide. Subcut strip into 4 rectangles 2¼ by 4 inches.
Medium: Cut 1 strip 2¼ inches wide. Subcut strip into 4 rectangles 2¼ by 4 inches.
Dark: Cut 1 strip 2¼ inches wide. Subcut strip into 4 rectangles 2¼ by 4 inches.

Instructions

Double Pinwheel Quarter instructions Sew fabric 1 & 2 rectangles together on long side with right sides together using a ¼ inch seam. Press toward fabric 2. [Unit A] Sew fabric 3 & 4 rectangles together on long side with right sides together using a ¼ inch seam. Press toward fabric 4. [Unit B] Match a Unit A to a Unit B right sides together with fabric 1 matched to fabric 4 and at the bottom. Draw a diagonal line from upper left corner to lower right corner. Sew a ¼ inch seam on both sides of drawn line. Cut units apart on drawn line and press seams to one side. Repeat for remaining rectangle pairs being sure to line them up consistently. Square up all quarter units to measure 3½ consistently on the outer pinwheel sides.

Double Pinwheel Finishing instructions Using 4 alike quarters, sew together forming a pinwheel in the center using a ¼ inch seam. Press seams to one side. Makes 2 blocks total. You can use the Double Pinwheel calculator to make your own project.