  Pinwheel I've found this block called three different names, Pinwheel, Turnstile and Windmill. And below you will see a different look when it's made with just two colors. These directions are for a 6 inch Pinwheel, more sizes are at the bottom of the page. For a 6 inch finished Pinwheel block you will need: From dark green cut two 3 7/8 inch squares, which you will cut in half diagonally From pale green cut one 4 3/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally From blue cut one 4 3/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally Yes 3/16ths is an odd measurement and some rulers don't even have 16ths on them. Cut what some people call a scant 1/4, or between 1/8 and 1/4 on your ruler. |
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When you cut these squares, you created bias edges. Be very careful when sewing and pressing not to stretch that bias.
Place a blue and pale green triangle right sides together and together sew on the short side. Repeat with the remaining blue and pale green triangles. Be sure to sew them all on the same side so all four are alike.
Sew the two color units to dark green triangles. Press to the dark green. Trim back to 3 1/2 inches if needed. Repeat with the remaining units.
Then sew them together into halves, and then the whole block. Your block should be 6 1/2 inches square.
Here are the cuts needed to make Pinwheel blocks in many different sizes:
(Remember, a 16th is a scant measurement, or between an eighth and a quarter on your ruler)
For a three inch finished Pinwheel block
From dark green cut two 2 3/8 inch squares, which you will cut in half diagonally
From pale green cut one 2 11/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
From blue cut one 2 11/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
For a nine inch finished Pinwheel block
From dark green cut two 5 3/8 inch squares, which you will cut in half diagonally
From pale green cut one 5 11/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
From blue cut one 5 11/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
For a 12 inch finished Pinwheel block you will need:
From your dark green cut two 6 7/8 inch squares, which you will cut in half diagonally
From your pale green cut one 7 1/4 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
From your blue cut one 7 1/4 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
For a fifteen inch finished Pinwheel block
From dark green cut two 8 3/8 inch squares, which you will cut in half diagonally
From pale green cut one 8 11/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
From blue cut one 8 11/16 inch square, which you will cut into quarters diagonally
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Updated November 17, 2025
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