Pinwheels and Postage Stamps

Here is the completed quilt.  I am glad to finally have it done.  It did not turn out quite like I envisioned in my head and there are lots of mistakes, but I feel ok with that.  I washed and dried it today and I like how it turned out.  I promised a tutorial of sorts, so see below the pictures for that.

Pinwheels and Postage Stamps Baby Quilt

Measures approx. 32″x40″

Materials needed

• solid and patterned fabrics.  Fq’s of patterned fabrics should be plenty for this size if  you use variety.  For the solids, buy a yard or so.
• 1/2-3/4 yard fabric for binding
• 1 1/2 yard fabric for backing
• 100% cotton thread
• batting (Bamboo/cotton blend used)
• rotary mat and ruler

*all seams are 1/4″.

Step 1.

Cut out squares.

• For pinwheels you will cut out 5″ squares of equal amounts of solid and patterns.  You will need two squares of each patterned and solid fabric to complete one pinwheel.  I used 12 different fabrics for the pinwheels.  So, 2 of each equaling 24 squares and 24 solid squares.
• For postage stamp squares cut 2.5″.  I used 16 per row with 4 rows total.
• cut sashing out of solid at 2″x44″ for on top, sides and in between each row for a total of 8
• cut 5-6 staight bias strips for binding at 2.25×44.

Step 2.

Assemble blocks and rows.

• Your pinwheels should come out at 9″ and then will measure 8.5″ when sewn into the quilt top.  For a good tutorial on pinwheels see here. Assemble 4 pinwheels together into a row.    Press seams open when linking pinwheels together.  Make sure to back tack on the open seams, opening the seams takes away a lot of bulk.  Trim if necessary.
• sew your postage stamp squares in groups of 4 and trim and then assemble group of 4 into a row.  Do that to all rows until you have 4 rows total
• Add sashing in between rows of pinwheels and 2 connected rows of postage stamp squares.  This can be better seen here

• Add side sashing along entire length on both sides of top.

Step 3.

Quilt.

• Baste backing fabric (face down), batting, and top (face up) and pin or spray to hold.
• Quilt as desired.  I wanted a cozy looking quilt so I quilted very minimally tracing the outline of each square 1/4″ inside.
• trim off excess

Step 4.

Bind.

I use this method here

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Step 5.

Wash.

I always add vinegar to my wash and use dreft or woolite as a soap.  The vinegar helps fabrics from bleeding.  If you are worried (like with red fabrics) you can prewash your fabrics before starting.  Dry using low heat.

The End!

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