Maggie’s Double Pinwheel: A Fast and Fun Quilt Block with a Modern Twist
Looking for a quilt block that’s easy to piece, fast to sew, and full of charm? The Maggie’s Double Pinwheel block might be your new favorite! This traditional design has a playful, modern feel, creating visual movement and depth. Even better, when you sew multiple blocks together, a secondary pinwheel pattern emerges, adding an extra level of interest to your quilt. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned quilter, this block is a delightful addition to any project. Let’s dive in and start spinning those pinwheels!
Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Maggie's Double Pinwheel Quilt Block:
- Light/White: 8 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles
- Medium/Aqua: 4 - 4.5" squares
- Dark/Green: 4 - 4.5" squares
Sewing Directions:
Corner Units:
Step 1:
The method I'm going to show you is a bit unorthodox but it is the easiest way I came up with to sew the block together. Yes, I could have made strip sets and cut out triangles from that but there was a lot of waste that way. This method is similar to the way I make the Birds in the Air block.
Lay out and sew together a Medium/Aqua 4.5" square to a Light/White 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle as shown in the picture below. Press the seam alowance toward the Aqua square.
Step 2:
Repeat Step 1 for a total of four units.
Step 3:
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 only using the Dark/Green 4.5" squares instead of the Medium/Aqua squares.
Step 4:
Draw a line from corner to corner on the back of the Step 2 Medium/Aqua units as shown below.
Step 5:
Lay out a Step 4 unit (wrong side up) with a Step 3 unit (right side up) as shown in the picture below. Note of the orientation of the units to each other.
Step 6:
Place the Step 4 unit on top of the Step 3 unit. I've turned back the lower left corner so you can see how they line up together.
Step 7:
Stitch the units together along the marked line (left image). Open up the unit and press the seam allowance toward the Aqua/White unit (right image).
Here's a close up of how I stitch really close to the marked line but not on it. This technique will allow for the thickness of the fabric when the seam allowance is pressed.
Step 8:
Open the Step 7 unit back up and trim 1/4" from the stitching to form the seam allowance (left image). (Save those triangles for another project!) Refold the unit (right image).
Step 9:
Repeat Steps 4 through 8 for a total of four Corner units like the ones in the picture below.
Putting It All Together:
Step 10:
Lay out the Corner units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Four Patch block.
Step 11:
Sew the units into two rows.
Step 12:
Press the seam allowances toward the Green/White units. Note from the picture below that all the seam allowances that will meet in the center of the block are pressed in a counterclockwise direction.
Step 13:
Sew the two rows together to complete the block.
Step 14:
Press the seam allowance using the tweak/twirl/furl method as shown in the picture below. This will help the block lay flatter. It also ensures the all the seams will nest together when sewing blocks together.
Layout Ideas:
Here's the basic 4 x 4 layout using similar colors to the tutorial. I love the diagonal lines this quilt creates.
Here's the same layout but with sashing and cornerstones added.
This example is scrappy where each block is done in a light and a dark shade of the same color.
This scrappy version has dark sashing and cornerstones added.
Here's an on-point example. It really looks like a Whirlwind block.
This on-point version has sashing and cornerstones plus colored setting triangles.
Conclusion:
I really like this block. It went together so fast and would be a great scrappy quilt. While there is a bit of waste with the way I've constructed it, those pieces can be used in another project.
I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".
Happy Quilting!
Elaine
P.S. Looking for more scrappy blocks? Check out this roundup blog post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/40-of-the-best-free-scrappy-quilt-block-tutorials
P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406