Double Pinwheel & Peeping Cats Blocks

Double Pinwheel & Peeping Cats Quilt Blocks. Free Pattern and Tutorial

Here's What You'll Need

    1/4 yard of quilting cotton
    1/4 yard of quilting cotton in an different color or pattern
    Ruler
    Rotary Cutter
    Coordinating Thread
    Sewing Machine

Making Your Half-Square Triangles

For each of these blocks, you will need to construct a certain amount of 'half-square triangles' or 'HSTs'. They are an essential building block used in many quilt and quilt block designs. Depending on how many you need, you can cut fabric and construct them in a multitude of ways. If you are new to sewing HSTs, or would just like to learn about more efficient ways to make them, check out our blog post Sewing 101: 4 Half Square Triangle Methods.

For all of our block party blocks we created our blocks using 10" squares of fabric to produce 5" HSTs (before trimming). Then we trimmed each HST down to 4.5" each. Sewing each piece together using a standard 1/4" seam allowance created finished blocks of 16" x 16". Feel free to adjust your HST and square block pieces up or down though for your desired finished block size.

Block 1: Double Pinwheel

Create this adorable double-pinwheel quilt block by rotating 16 half-square triangles and sewing them together. This simple shape creates both a large blocky 'X' and a pinwheel inside. Make multiple and sew together for an adorable, modern baby sized or full-sized quilt.

For this block you will need:

    (16) 4.5" x 4.5" Half Square triangles (trimmed)

To construct the block, sew each piece in the top row together piece by piece, adding on to the row from right to left - or however you'd like to work. Then sew each row together moving from top to bottom.

 

Block 2: Peeping Cats

This very simple but very cute quilt block was inspired by our furry friends. We think this would be adorable as a cute pillow top or even framed wall art. Elizabeth added a final, special touch by embroidering cute little whiskers on her block.

For this block you will need:

    (5) 4.5" x 4.5" Half Square triangles (trimmed)
    (2) 4.5" x 4.5" Black Square blocks
    (9) 4.5" x 4.5" White Square blocks

To construct the block, sew each piece in the top row together piece by piece, adding on to the row from right to left. Then sew each row together moving from top to bottom.

 

And you're done! Enjoy your beautiful blocks by either framing them as wall art, or create more to make a quilt top, table runner, or even decorative pillows.