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Sewing a windmill quilt block can be a fun and rewarding project. Here are the steps to sew a windmill quilt block:
Materials needed:
- Fabric (at least two colors)
- Ruler
- Rotary cutter or fabric scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Iron
Instructions:
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Cut two squares of fabric that are the same size. You can make them any size you want, but for this example, we will use 6-inch squares.
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Place the squares right sides together.
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Use your ruler and rotary cutter or fabric scissors to cut the squares in half diagonally.
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Press the seams open.
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Cut two squares of a contrasting fabric that are the same size as the original squares. Again, for this example, we will use 6-inch squares.
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Place one of the contrasting squares right sides together with one of the original triangles.
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Sew along the diagonal edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
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Repeat steps 6 and 7 with the other contrasting square and the remaining original triangle.
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Press the seams open.
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Place the two pieced triangles right sides together, matching up the seams.
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Sew along the diagonal edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
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Press the seam open.
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Your windmill quilt block is complete! Repeat these steps to create as many windmill blocks as you need for your quilt.
Tips:
- Be sure to measure and cut your fabric accurately to ensure your blocks are the correct size.
- Use a consistent 1/4 inch seam allowance throughout the project.
- Press your seams open to reduce bulk in your finished quilt.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks:
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on the size of your finished quilt block. You can come to a decision based on a number of factors: doubling a pattern, cutting your pattern in half, or choosing the size based on your available fabric.
NOTE: When working from a pattern’s cutting instructions, make sure you remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For instance, if your pattern calls for 3-1/2″ squares, first you’ll subtract the sum of the seam allowances (1/2″), double the finished block size (from 3″ to 6″), and add the seam allowance back in (1/2″). So, when all is said and done, you will cut a 6-1/2″ piece of fabric.
Resizing Square Blocks:
Square blocks are the easiest to resize. Simply add to your finished block measurement. For example, if you’d like your finished block to be a 4″ square, you’ll need to cut a 4-1/2″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks:
Similarly to the square, for rectangle blocks, you’ll add to the length and width measurements of your finished block. If you’re doubling block that measures 3″ x 4″ in your quilt, you’ll cut a 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ rectangle of fabric.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks:
When you want to change the size of a Half-Square Triangle block, add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. To make a 4″ finished block, you’d cut 4-7/8″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle:
Since there are two cut lines and two seam lines in a Quarter-Square Triangle block you’ll need to add 1-1/4″ to the desired finished block size. For a finished block that’s 4″, you’d cut your squares 5-1/4″.
