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
I now have this block as a PDF for sale in my Etsy shop. This is totally optional. Click the button below to learn more:
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.
I now have this block as a PDF for sale in my Etsy shop. This is totally optional. Click the button below to learn more:
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