About the Pinwheel Star
A star with a pinwheel spinning in its center, set in a sashed grid that keeps every star separate. The units are half-square triangles and flying geese, each trimmed to size after sewing, which is the forgiving way to get crisp points. In everyday colors it reads as a modern, graphic quilt. It also looks good scrappy, with each star cut from a different fabric and the background kept the same throughout.
How much fabric for a Pinwheel Star quilt
| Fabric | Baby | Throw | Twin | Full | Queen | King |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric A | ¾ yd | 1½ yd | 3⅛ yd | 3¾ yd | 3¾ yd | 5½ yd |
| Fabric B | ⅞ yd | 2 yd | 3⅛ yd | 3⅜ yd | 3⅝ yd | 4⅜ yd |
| Fabric C | ½ yd | ¾ yd | 1¼ yd | 1⅜ yd | 1¾ yd | 2 yd |
| Backing, 42-in fabric | 2¾ yd in 2 panels | 3⅞ yd in 2 panels | 6⅞ yd in 3 panels | 7¾ yd in 3 panels | 8¼ yd in 3 panels | 9 yd in 3 panels |
| Backing, 108-in wide | 1⅜ yd | 2 yd | 2⅜ yd | 2⅝ yd | 2¾ yd | 3 yd |
| Binding | ½ yd, 5 strips × 2½ in | ⅝ yd, 7 strips × 2½ in | ¾ yd, 9 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 10 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 10 strips × 2½ in | ⅞ yd, 11 strips × 2½ in |
| Batting | 48 × 48 in | 68 × 68 in | 82 × 96 in | 93 × 93 in | 98 × 98 in | 108 × 108 in |
- Baby works from 3 fat quarters plus ¾ yd background and ¼ yd Fabric C for the borders and ½ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Throw works from 5 fat quarters plus 1½ yd background and ½ yd Fabric C for the borders and 1¼ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Twin works from 9 fat quarters plus 3⅛ yd background and ⅝ yd Fabric C for the borders and 1⅝ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Full works from 12 fat quarters plus 3¾ yd background and ½ yd Fabric C for the borders and 1⅝ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- Queen works from 12 fat quarters plus 3¾ yd background and ⅞ yd Fabric C for the borders and 1⅞ yd Fabric B for the borders.
- King works from 16 fat quarters plus 5½ yd background and ¾ yd Fabric C for the borders and 1¾ yd Fabric B for the borders.
Yardage includes a 10 % margin and is worked out from the cutting plan in the pattern, never estimated. 42-in fabric, 40 in usable.
Pinwheel Star quilt sizes
| Size | Finished | Blocks | Block | Borders | Mattress | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 40 × 40 in | 2 × 2 | 12 in | 1½ in Fabric C + 3½ in Fabric B | — | — |
| Throw | 60 × 60 in | 3 × 3 | 12 in | 2 in Fabric C + 6 in Fabric B | — | — |
| Twin | 74 × 88 in | 4 × 5 | 12 in | 2 in Fabric C + 6 in Fabric B | 39 × 75 in | 17½ in |
| Full | 85 × 85 in | 5 × 5 | 12 in | 1½ in Fabric C + 5 in Fabric B | 54 × 75 in | 15½ in |
| Queen | 90 × 90 in | 5 × 5 | 12 in | 3 in Fabric C + 6 in Fabric B | 60 × 80 in | 15 in |
| King | 100 × 100 in | 6 × 6 | 12 in | 2 in Fabric C + 5 in Fabric B | 76 × 80 in | 12 in |
Baby · 40 × 40 in · a crib, stroller or play-mat quilt Throw · 60 × 60 in · a sofa or lap quilt Twin · 74 × 88 in · fits a 39 × 75 in mattress with a 17½ in drop Full · 85 × 85 in · fits a 54 × 75 in mattress with a 15½ in drop Queen · 90 × 90 in · fits a 60 × 80 in mattress with a 15 in drop King · 100 × 100 in · fits a 76 × 80 in mattress with a 12 in drop
Baby · 2 × 2 blocks · 40 × 40 in 
Throw · 3 × 3 blocks · 60 × 60 in 
Twin · 4 × 5 blocks · 74 × 88 in 
Full · 5 × 5 blocks · 85 × 85 in 
Queen · 5 × 5 blocks · 90 × 90 in 
King · 6 × 6 blocks · 100 × 100 in
What you'll piece
- Baby 4 pinwheel stars, 2 borders
- Throw 9 pinwheel stars, 2 borders
- Twin 20 pinwheel stars, 2 borders
- Full 25 pinwheel stars, 2 borders
- Queen 25 pinwheel stars, 2 borders
- King 36 pinwheel stars, 2 borders
The steps
- Cut strips across the width, then subcut
- Make the units oversize and trim them
- Piece the pinwheel stars
- Join the blocks into rows
- Add the borders
- Back, quilt and bind
Step names only. Every step is drawn out in the PDF with the measurements for your size.
What's in the PDF
- Cover and fabric key
- Fabric requirements for every size in one table
- Cutting chart: strips first, then subcuts
- Block assembly with pressing directions
- Quilt assembly and borders
- Backing, batting and binding
- A coloring page to plan your fabrics
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See it in color
The same geometry in 7 fabric choices. The blank coloring page below lets you plan your own.
As drafted 
Jewel 
Sunset 
Ocean 
Pastel 
Midnight 
Garden
Plan your colors
The blank layout, free. Print it, try your fabrics with colored pencils, and buy the pattern when you like what you see.
Questions about the Pinwheel Star
- How many blocks for a queen Pinwheel Star quilt?
- 25 blocks, 5 × 5, each 12 in finished.
- How much backing for the king?
- 9 yd of 42-in fabric in 3 panels, or 3 yd of 108-in wide backing.
- Can I use fat quarters?
- Yes. The throw takes 5 fat quarters plus 1½ yd of background and ½ yd of Fabric C for the borders and 1¼ yd of Fabric B for the borders.
- What size is the finished throw?
- 60 × 60 in, a sofa or lap quilt.
- Is it beginner-friendly?
- Confident beginner: half-square triangles and flying geese, made oversize and trimmed.
Ready to make it?
- Sizes Baby to king
- Skill Confident beginner
- Format PDF, Letter + A4
Also as a table runner
Pinwheel Star Table Runner4 sizes · Confident beginner · $9.99
Same pattern for Christmas
Christmas Star Quilt6 sizes · Confident beginner · $11.99
