Patriotic Pinwheel Runner Tutorial

You can download the pdf free HERE.

I have been feeling stitchy this weekend!

Turns out I damaged my shoulder somehow during Memorial Weekend.

I really can't do yard work { darn :) } and so I stayed in quite a bit yesterday.

I worked on 2 tutorials for the 4th of July decor.

I am putting the finishing touches on Idea #2 today.

Without further ado...

Patriotic Pinwheel Runner Tutorial

This little runner took me about 5 hours from start to finish. 

Definitely a weekend project!

I got my inspiration from Jody of Pleasant Home. 

Patriotic Pinwheel Runner

8" X 42"

Supplies

{4} 5.5" red scraps

{3} 5.5" blue scraps

{7} 5.5" white on white background fabric

{2} 1.25" X 42"  Moda Bella Solid white fabric for border

1/2 yard red, white and blue or flag print for binding and backing.

batting at least 10"X 43"

Instructions:

Cut the 5.5" squares for the pinwheel blocks.

Layer one colored square with a background right sides together.

Sew a 1/4" seam the perimeter of the 5.5" square as shown.

Then cut corner to opposite corner, through the stitched seams.

It's okay you can do this!!

In both directions to yield 4 sections.

press the pieces.

Trim corners and square up the blocks to about 3.5".

This technique does leave bias edges. I frequently use a walking foot and had no issue with the bias. I am a seasoned sewer though, a beginner should be careful not to stretch the seams.

Arrange and sew the pinwheel blocks

Repeat for all 7 blocks.

Block should square to 6.5" {will be 6" finished}

Arrange alternating red and blue pinwheels.

note* when working with reds...check colorfastness.

I didn't...and I discovered this from using spray starch, the red bled.

Needless to say, this won't be washed.

Also note, my 1/4 inch seams..weren't a real 1/4 inch. I used white scraps that were just under 5.5" and then cut the colors 5.5" and used the edge of the colored fabric as my guide.

I don't recommend beginner quilters do that.

Precisely cut squares will give you more precise finished blocks.

All sewn together.

Take your border strips {1.25" X 42"} and sew them to center

*note* there is no border on the short ends.

The top is done.

Layer, quilt and bind.

I quilted in the ditch of the white fabrics and used 2.25" binding strips.

Here's my runner on my fireplace.  I knew that is where I would use it and therefore wanted the size to be about 8" wide. If you start with a larger set of squares...you will have a larger block.

For example {2} 10" layer cake squares would yield a 12" block.

Other views.

Remember to check Craftoholics Patriotic Parade for other ideas for this 4th of July.

p.s. I am not sponsored by Craftaholics, I just like her link parties..I find tons of projects I didn't know existed. I hope you can too!