I have stated unequivocally that I will not make pinwheels ever again in my life. I once made a queen size quilt that was all pinwheels–80 of them, and that pretty much put me off them. My problem was that the center point of each pinwheel block, where all the fabrics come together, was so bulky that it made accuracy a real challenge. Points got cut off, didn't come together at all, and generally looked sloppy. For every ten blocks, I swear I had to re-do eight of them. The quilt turned out pretty despite my troubles, but it sure was slow going.
When I mentioned to my friend Lisa what a trial making this quilt had been, I remember her mildly stating that pressing the seams open alleviates the issue for her. That elicited a five minute diatribe from me on how pressing seams open was too time consuming, boring, and a sure fire way to wreck a person's manicure. She let me rant, and just gave me a Mona Lisa smile.
My last minute Christmas presents this year involve pinwheels. Whatever I have had to say about how much I dislike making them, I have to admit that they are a darn cute little block. So, I thought I might just make a couple of blocks with the seams pressed open. Not a total committment to that method, just a little trial.
And you know what? Every block turned out perfect.
Sometimes we have to do things for the sake of perfection that we don't want to do. I really do need to be more open minded. You think this philosophy might apply to the way I feel about tie offs? 🙂
54 responses to “Pinwheels”
I can’t wait to see all of yoru finished aprons! Call me at work.
I can’t wait to see all of yoru finished aprons! Call me at work.
okay, I am dense but I don’t see how that makes them work out perfect…please explain just a bit more for my middle aged brain “smiles” Pam
okay, I am dense but I don’t see how that makes them work out perfect…please explain just a bit more for my middle aged brain “smiles” Pam
I havenn’t minded making pinwheels since I learned Lisa’s trick of pressing the seams open. And it’s one of my favorite blocks too.
I havenn’t minded making pinwheels since I learned Lisa’s trick of pressing the seams open. And it’s one of my favorite blocks too.
I have hundreds of half square triangles left over from various projects – I do believe I see a pinwheel quilt in my future. Yours is very nice. Thanks for the hint on pressing the seams open.
I have hundreds of half square triangles left over from various projects – I do believe I see a pinwheel quilt in my future. Yours is very nice. Thanks for the hint on pressing the seams open.
I love pinwheel blocks also. Thankfully I read an article a few months back in one of my magazines, that suggested open seams to reduce bulk at the center on these blocks. I had just started a table topper with small pinwheels 1 1/2 inches finished. Every one of them lays nice and flat. It really is a great tip. Your blocks look beautiful and your colors are wonderful.
I love pinwheel blocks also. Thankfully I read an article a few months back in one of my magazines, that suggested open seams to reduce bulk at the center on these blocks. I had just started a table topper with small pinwheels 1 1/2 inches finished. Every one of them lays nice and flat. It really is a great tip. Your blocks look beautiful and your colors are wonderful.
I love them too, particularly red and white. I’ll have to try that method. I know there’s one where you open a bit of the center seam but that one really scares me.
I love them too, particularly red and white. I’ll have to try that method. I know there’s one where you open a bit of the center seam but that one really scares me.
Here is another hint….can be found in Quilt In A Day books that have pinwheel blocks. Just undo the two or three stitches in the middle ( above the stitching line). Then use your fingers to press them flat in a bitty pinwheel design in the center of the back of the block. Did I make that clear as mud???? It does work, though I am a lazy quilter and go for the lumpy look (G)!!!! Annie
Here is another hint….can be found in Quilt In A Day books that have pinwheel blocks. Just undo the two or three stitches in the middle ( above the stitching line). Then use your fingers to press them flat in a bitty pinwheel design in the center of the back of the block. Did I make that clear as mud???? It does work, though I am a lazy quilter and go for the lumpy look (G)!!!! Annie
Hey Nicole…
Love the latest view of your handiwork.
Just to wish you a Merry and Joyful Christmas.
Still haven’t told my Mom about the Leukemia..in the meantime she fell last Friday and dislocated her shoulder…so have been taking care of her needs.
All my best,
Patti
Hey Nicole…
Love the latest view of your handiwork.
Just to wish you a Merry and Joyful Christmas.
Still haven’t told my Mom about the Leukemia..in the meantime she fell last Friday and dislocated her shoulder…so have been taking care of her needs.
All my best,
Patti
See, sometimes you should listen to your wise friends… glad the pinwheels are turning out perfectly. I see more in your future!
See, sometimes you should listen to your wise friends… glad the pinwheels are turning out perfectly. I see more in your future!
I don’t argue with Lisa. She is oh so wise. 😉 lol
I don’t argue with Lisa. She is oh so wise. 😉 lol
Love those red and white pinwheels and your pinwheel quilt is just beautiful! Pressing those seams open sure is worth it…they’re perfect!
Love those red and white pinwheels and your pinwheel quilt is just beautiful! Pressing those seams open sure is worth it…they’re perfect!
i love pinwheels too…learned this lesson the hard way as well. i’m still pigheaded, but i do press open pinwheel seams.
i love pinwheels too…learned this lesson the hard way as well. i’m still pigheaded, but i do press open pinwheel seams.
I press open my seams and it works out beautifully. You are fully justified in complaining about tie-offs!
I press open my seams and it works out beautifully. You are fully justified in complaining about tie-offs!
These are sooooo pretty and I love that all pinwheels quilt. As for me, I do the thing where you unsew just a couple little stitches in the middle and fan open. It works for me. What I like reading here this evening is all the people “on board” with open seams. You know even Carrie has us open seams as needed. 😉
These are sooooo pretty and I love that all pinwheels quilt. As for me, I do the thing where you unsew just a couple little stitches in the middle and fan open. It works for me. What I like reading here this evening is all the people “on board” with open seams. You know even Carrie has us open seams as needed. 😉
I do what Annie from San Diego suggested above and have no trouble at all. Not to say that I won’t try your new way. Whatever helps us to get things done with ease is good by me! Beautiful quilt.
I do what Annie from San Diego suggested above and have no trouble at all. Not to say that I won’t try your new way. Whatever helps us to get things done with ease is good by me! Beautiful quilt.
I just love reading your blog. When ever I can sneak on to the computer (especially so close to Christmas with all the other things that happen at this time of year.. present wrapping, cookie making, writing Christmas cards and working my job!) I type in your web address and read your newest entry. I feel like stress melts away and most of the time there is a “chuckle” involved.You feel like a good friend, and I think I know some of your friends! Your writing is very good… gee maybe you should write a book!
Thanks for a beautiful (I love looking at your quilts too!) blog!
I’m going to try the pinwheel trick, Thanks!
I just love reading your blog. When ever I can sneak on to the computer (especially so close to Christmas with all the other things that happen at this time of year.. present wrapping, cookie making, writing Christmas cards and working my job!) I type in your web address and read your newest entry. I feel like stress melts away and most of the time there is a “chuckle” involved.You feel like a good friend, and I think I know some of your friends! Your writing is very good… gee maybe you should write a book!
Thanks for a beautiful (I love looking at your quilts too!) blog!
I’m going to try the pinwheel trick, Thanks!
Your pinwheel quilt is absolutely stunning! They may have been a pain to make, but it looks like it was worth it. I’ll have to try to seam open method; I usually have trouble with my points too.
Your pinwheel quilt is absolutely stunning! They may have been a pain to make, but it looks like it was worth it. I’ll have to try to seam open method; I usually have trouble with my points too.
Looks good…although I always heard that open seams should be a slightly tighter stitch to hold them together a bit more solidly since it’s more pull on the stitches.
Looks good…although I always heard that open seams should be a slightly tighter stitch to hold them together a bit more solidly since it’s more pull on the stitches.
Thanks for the tip on pressing open; will definetely give it a try with my next set of pinwheels. Your quilt is wonderful.
Thanks for the tip on pressing open; will definetely give it a try with my next set of pinwheels. Your quilt is wonderful.
Pretty, pretty, pretty, I love pinwheels and yes they are a pain in the behind and can be a longarm quilters nightmare if those centers do not lie flat…… Great job, you are a true longarmers dream….. Happy Holidays and give Ozzie and Sophie a hug from myself and my Sophie
Pretty, pretty, pretty, I love pinwheels and yes they are a pain in the behind and can be a longarm quilters nightmare if those centers do not lie flat…… Great job, you are a true longarmers dream….. Happy Holidays and give Ozzie and Sophie a hug from myself and my Sophie
Beautiful, even it is a simple pattern. The pattern makes striking designs and colors. I enjoy looking at your blog time to time. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful, even it is a simple pattern. The pattern makes striking designs and colors. I enjoy looking at your blog time to time. Thanks for sharing.
I too love that pinwheel quilt — if there are wonky pinwheels in there I sure can’t see them.
I have some of that exact fabric in the new pinwheels —- can’t wait to see the completed projects you used them in.
I too love that pinwheel quilt — if there are wonky pinwheels in there I sure can’t see them.
I have some of that exact fabric in the new pinwheels —- can’t wait to see the completed projects you used them in.
When I saw the first picture in my blog reader I thought”Wow those centers look perfect” and then I clicked over to your blog to ask you your secret…and look you’ve already answered the question.
For years I believed quilters lived needed to live in of 2 camps…the openers and the press-to-one siders….Now I’m starting to think a little from each is the best way…and that how one presses should have more to do with construction than habit.
Well done they look fab!
When I saw the first picture in my blog reader I thought”Wow those centers look perfect” and then I clicked over to your blog to ask you your secret…and look you’ve already answered the question.
For years I believed quilters lived needed to live in of 2 camps…the openers and the press-to-one siders….Now I’m starting to think a little from each is the best way…and that how one presses should have more to do with construction than habit.
Well done they look fab!
Darn, darn, darn!!! If I would have known about this seam thingie, life sure would have been much easier 2 weeks ago when I was making a wall hanging for a Christmas present. It had a lot of pinwheels in it, and dadgum if I didn’t have to do what you had done and ripped out just about as many as I got right. THIS I will do from now on. Thanks a million for these little shreds (or maybe I should say huge beacons) of light in the darkness!
Darn, darn, darn!!! If I would have known about this seam thingie, life sure would have been much easier 2 weeks ago when I was making a wall hanging for a Christmas present. It had a lot of pinwheels in it, and dadgum if I didn’t have to do what you had done and ripped out just about as many as I got right. THIS I will do from now on. Thanks a million for these little shreds (or maybe I should say huge beacons) of light in the darkness!
OK, that’s what I’ll do too!!
OK, that’s what I’ll do too!!
I have taken your advice on how to sew and iron the pin wheels and I have made about small 12 blocks… If you have time, check my blog, http://www.holtgallery.wordpress.com. I really enjoy your blog with wit of tips and stuffs. Thank you!
I have taken your advice on how to sew and iron the pin wheels and I have made about small 12 blocks… If you have time, check my blog, http://www.holtgallery.wordpress.com. I really enjoy your blog with wit of tips and stuffs. Thank you!
I’m a beginner quilter (have only made one queen size so far), so I’m not sure why I am attempting a pinwheel design for my second quilt. Thank you so much for posting the pictures of the seams. I’m able to match the points pretty well, but I’m having troubles with the bulkiness, especially because I am using flannel. I just started on the squares, so this definitely will give me some tips for the rest of them!!
I’m a beginner quilter (have only made one queen size so far), so I’m not sure why I am attempting a pinwheel design for my second quilt. Thank you so much for posting the pictures of the seams. I’m able to match the points pretty well, but I’m having troubles with the bulkiness, especially because I am using flannel. I just started on the squares, so this definitely will give me some tips for the rest of them!!