Block 22: Origami pinwheel – Textured quilt sampler

Detail of origami pinwheel

Block type: log cabin

Block size: 11 inches

Colour scheme: reds and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: fabric folding / fabric origami

Quilt size: The finished quilt is 52 1/2 x 52 1/2.

Needs:

• 4 x 2¾ inches squares in red and 4 more matching 2¾ inches squares, ie 8 in total
• two 5 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles for the border

Making the origami pinwheel

Watch this short 2 minute video to learn how to make this block:

This block is a lot easier than the origami flower block.

Cut 4 x 2¾ inches squares in red and 4 more matching 2¾ inches squares, ie 8 in total.

Pick up one square and fold it in half with wrong side of the fabric together. Do not iron.

Now pic up one of the triangle corners and fold it up again as in the picture below.

Pin it to the matching square of fabric.

Do this for all 4 squares.

Now place the squares making a pinwheel and stitch in pairs.

Then stitch the resulting rectangles together.

Cut two 5 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles for the border

Sew the border as per picture.

Put your finger inside each pocket of the pinwheel and smooth the crease with your ginger. This will add volume to your pinwheel. Alternatively you can leave the pinwheel flat though I find it is more attractive lifting off from the base.

Textured blocks tutorials

This is the 22th block in a series of 25 exploring texture in fabric.

Each block is made out of a centre 5 inch square featuring some fabric texture such as pin tucks, smocking, shirring and the like. Then a 3 1/2 wide border encloses each centre square.

The colour scheme is red and white/cream alternating reds and white/cream for the centre square and border.

Some of the textures show better on plain colours than on heavily patterned fabric.

See all Textured quilt sampler tutorials for this quilt.

Share your pictures

Are you making this quilt? Share your pictures on Flickr’s TeresaDownUnder group.