Dutch Pinwheel Block Tutorial

Ok, so now I'm on a little mission to create some tutes for blocks I love that I haven't found blog links for.  Here's my first! 

The Dutch Pinwheel. 


This block is made with 16 HST (Half-Square Triangle) units.  You will need to cut 16 - color/print 2.5" squares and 16 - white 2.5" squares.  You may use charms if you like, or also cutting 2.5" strips into squares will also work.

I used 5" x 5" charm squares for the prints and leftover strips for the white.

1.  Stack the four charm squares on top of each other.  Cut charm squares in half both vertically and horizontally to create 16 - 2.5" squares.  Also, cut 16 - 2.5" squares of white.


2.  Draw a line diagonally across the block from one corner to the opposing corner on all 16 print 2.5" squares.



3.Sew a print 2.5" square right sides together with a white 2.5" square along the drawn line.  Using chain piecing here will get these done in no time! 

Note:  I purposely didn't sew 1/4" away from the drawn line to make 2 blocks from these squares because I felt the resulting HST unit would be too small.



4.  Trim the excess material from the sewn blocks, making sure to cut 1/4" away from the sewn seam.



5.  Press open all blocks, with the seam allowance pressed toward the print.



6.   Arrange your blocks as shown below until you are happy with the fabric placements.



7.  Sew units together to make 4 rows.  Then sew the rows together.  There you go!  All done!