Pinwheels

A: Dark, cut 6” x 6” = 2
B: Light, cut 6 x 6 = 2

Use ¼” seam allowance always!
1. On the back of the lightest fabric, mark a diagonal line.
2. Match the opposite color with the marked square, right sides together.
3. Stitch 1/4" on one side of the diagonal mark...turn square and stitch 1/4" on the other side of the diagonal mark.
4. Cut apart on diagonal marked line.
5. Press seams toward darker fabric.
6. Trim off the little tails with scissors.
7. Square up completed unit to 5” x 5” Makes four identical HSTs.
8. Lay out block on table. Note where your darks and lights need to be. 9. With right sides together, sew top two HSTs together, then the bottom two.
10. Press seams on each to opposite sides.
11. Match center seams, right sides facing. Make sure they but up next to each other. Sew top set to bottom set. Press Seam to one side.
12. Square up block to about 9 ½” x 9 ½”

Half-Square Triangles

There are many, many ways to create Half-Square Triangles (HSTs): the grid method, Triangles on a Roll®, Thangles®, a number of rulers, templates and many more.
To calculate the cutting size of the initial square, add an additional 1" to your cutting size for a square unit. Once you have cut all your squares:
1. On the back of the lightest fabric, mark a diagonal line.
2. Match the opposite color with the marked square, right sides together.
3. Stitch 1/4" on one side of the diagonal mark...turn square and stitch 1/4" on the other side of the diagonal mark.
4. Cut apart on diagonal mark.
5. Press seams toward darker fabric.
6. Trim off the little tails with scissors.
7. Square up completed unit to size needed.
8. Makes two identical HSTs.

The quilting books say that you only need to add 7/8", not 1", to the measurements, but I find that stitching and pressing fabric on the diagonal is not always an exact science. This way will use just a little more fabric, but will allow you to control the final measurement of the unit.

Once you know how to make them, the flood doors open with what you can create! Play around with light and dark fabrics create something fun!