Use fabric scraps to sew this charming scrappy pinwheel pattern. Make this in just a few hours and use some of that fabric stash you have.
With just a few simple steps, you can create a beautiful mini quilt. This design is made up of two tiny pinwheels, and two half square triangles that are placed diagonally from each other.
9-Inch Quilted Trivet or Table Centerpiece
Use the finished piece as a trivet to protect your counters and table from hot dishes. Since I used up some pastel pink, blue, and flower fabric, it will work beautifully as a centerpiece at a baby shower. This is one of five designs that I made using the pastel colors.
If I need to make a quick gift for a teacher, a raffle basket donation, a housewarming gift, or a hostess gift, I have five mini quilt patterns to choose from.
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Scrappy Pinwheel Design
This mini quilt block consists of two pinwheels made using half square triangles and two squares made from a half square triangle. There are 4 blocks sewn together to form this patchwork look.
I used fabric scraps in striped pink and blue, along with flowered fabric. The soft pastel colors do not have a lot of color variation. However, this same pattern would love great with a bit more color definition. Make this in fall colors or Holiday colors to accent your home.
General Sewing Directions for this 9-Inch Quilt Block
The directions for this Mini Quilted Tablecloth Pattern are for rotary cutting, machine piecing, machine quilting, machine sewing the binding to the quilt top.
Pin pieces before sewing them together to help align seams.
Accurately measure and cut fabric pieces as it will enhance the finished table runner.
All seams are sewn with 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Seams can be pressed open or you can press seams to one side or the other, I will have those suggestions within the instructions.
The beginning measurements for the half square triangles are a bit larger than the finished block size needed. I like to make them a bit larger because the result is a crisp and clean edge. This helps align all the seams and points better.
If you use a striped fabric like I did, when aligning the stripes for the half square triangles, make sure whatever direction you choose to use for the stripes, you continue that direction for each square. I think it looks a bit nicer.
When the batting is trimmed 1/4″ from the seam, the finished mini quilt measures 9” X 9”.
Supplies Needed
Fabric
Thread
Batting
Cutting mat
Quilting ruler
Rotary cutter
Clips
Sewing machine
Iron and Ironing Board
Fabric Requirements for 1 9-inch Quilt Block
I suggest using 100% cotton quality fabric. For some of the sizes, you could get a fat quarter and have some fabric leftover for your next quilt project.
However, this is a great pattern for using those leftover fabric pieces. That is what I did.
Quilt Top. I used three fabrics for the mini quilt top.
Fabric. Flowered, Blue, and pink colored fabric 1/8 yard of each.
Backing fabric. One single piece measuring 12” X 12”. This will allow the batting to extend beyond the edges of the quilt top.
Batting. A piece measuring 12” X 12”, the same size as the quilt back. This will allow the batting to extend beyond the edges of the quilt top.
Binding. A length of fabric measuring 42” long and 2 1/2” wide. I made my own piecing white fabric scraps together.
Diagrams for the Two Variations of this 9-inch Quilt Block
Let’s Begin the Charming Scrappy Pinwheel Pattern
For the Half Square Triangle Squares, cut the following squares.
- Flower Fabric Cut 1- 5 7/8” X 5 7/8” squares.
- Pink Stripe Fabric Cut 1- 5 7/8” X 5 7/8” squares. You will note on one of the half square triangles I have a combination of blue and flower fabric. Since this is scrappy, it works.
For the half square triangles
Use a fine pencil to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the pink square.
Place a pink square on top of a flower square with right sides together and sew 1/4” seam on both sides of the diagonal line. Align a ruler with the pencil line and cut the fabric apart on the drawn line to create two half square triangles.
Press each half square triangle toward the darker side or press the seams open. Trim the half square triangle blocks to measure 4 1/2 X 4 1/2″.
For the Two Pinwheel Squares
- Flower Fabric Cut 4- 3 7/8” X 3 7/8” squares.
- Blue Stripe Fabric Cut 4- 3 7/8” X 3 7/8” squares.
For the half square triangles
Use a fine pencil to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the flower squares.
Place a blue square on top of a flower square with right sides together and sew 1/4” seam on both sides of the diagonal line. Align a ruler with the pencil line and cut the fabric apart on the drawn line to create two half square triangles.
Press each half square triangle toward the darker side or press the seams open. Trim the half square triangle blocks to measure 4 1/2 X 4 1/2″.
Repeat for the other blocks.
Layout the half square triangles in a pinwheel design. Refer to the diagram for placement.
Sew the top two blocks with the right sides together. Press seam to the right. Sew the bottom two blocks with the right sides together. Press seam to the left.
Sew the top and bottom row with the right sides together, making sure to line up the seams. Press the seams open.
Trim to 4 1/2” X 4 1/2” if needed.
Repeat
Sewing the Top
Place the half square triangles and the pinwheels according to the diagram.
Sew the top two blocks with the right sides together. Press seam to the right. Sew the bottom two blocks with the right sides together. Press seam to the left.
Sew the top and bottom row with the right sides together, making sure to line up the seams. Press the seams open.
Finishing the Trivet
Now it is time to add the backing, batting, and binding to the quilt.
For each quilt block, complete the following steps.
Backing. Cut a square 12” X 12” of fabric for the back. This will allow for approximately 3-inches of fabric to extend all around the edges of the quilt block.
Batting. Use a thin cotton batting such as warm and natural. Cut a square 12” X 12” of fabric for the back. This will allow for approximately 3-inches of fabric to extend all around the edges of the mini quilt top.
Binding. You will need a length of fabric measuring 42” long and 2 1/2” wide. I made my own piecing white fabric scraps together.
Pin the Layers Together
Now it is time to make the quilt sandwich. Lay the backing fabric down first with the right side facing down. Make sure there are no wrinkles.
Next, add the batting layer. Finally, add the mini quilt top layer with the right side facing up.
Center the top fabric in the middle making sure that a few inches extend out beyond the quilt top on all sides.
Once all three layers are in place, make sure to smooth out any wrinkles. Place a few safety pins in to secure or you would use another method such as basting spray to hold it together.
Quilting the Layers Together
While you can sew the layers together by hand, I prefer to use my sewing machine for quilting the layers together. Once you choose your design, set up your sewing machine for quilting by using a darning foot and dropping the feed dogs on the sewing machine. This helps with the free motion quilting.
Once the layers are quilted, it is time to add the binding strip to the quilt.
Sew Binding onto the Quilt
Prepare the binding by folding it in half lengthwise with the wrong sides facing each other. Use the iron to press the seam.
Pin the raw edge of the binding onto raw edge of the back of the mini quilt. I generally start in the middle of a side. Leave approximately a 3” tail hanging. This hanging part will be used to sew to the other end of the binding strip when you have finished sewing all four sides of the binding onto the mini quilt.
Sew the binding onto all four sides of the tablecloth making sure to miter the corners.
Trimming the Batting and Backing Fabric
Trim the batting and backing fabric to 1/4″ from the edge of the quilt top. I use a ruler and rotary cutter to complete this.
Attaching the Binding to the Front
Fold the binding over the edge (this will be the folded side). Use clips to hold it into place. I used a decorative stitch on my sewing machine to sew the binding into place.
Your Charming Scrappy Pinwheel Pattern is complete.
You can find Victoria crocheting, quilting, and creating recipes. She has cooked in restaurants for over 20 years, including many larger parties. She learned to crochet when she was just 11 years old and has been crocheting ever since; over 50 years now. Over 40 years ago, she loved her first class in sewing and continues to hone her skills in quilting. Many have enjoyed the handmade gifts over the years. In her professional career, she has worked in management in a wide variety of businesses including higher education as a dean of a division. All the while attending college part-time to achieve her doctorate in higher education with an emphasis in e-learning.