How to use up your fabric scraps: Patchwork Pinwheels

With all my sewing projects throughout the year, I wanted to find a creative way to use up my scraps AND create something memorable that would capture moments from my projects throughout the year. For 2019, I’ve resolved to make patchwork pinwheels from my scraps, and I’ll show you how to do it so you can, too!

I’m using Triangles on a Roll template paper that finishes at 1″. That’s a pretty small size, but it’s great for using up smaller scraps. You could also use a larger size of Triangles on a Roll Half-Square Triangle Paper using this guide to Triangles on a Roll sizes and half-square triangles.

Triangles on a Roll

Triangles on a Roll is my favorite brand of triangle paper. The paper comes on a roll that’s convenient to store, and it tears off nicely once sewn. It is a time saver that allows me to quickly make eight triangles at a time. I don’t have to draw on lines or measure for each half-square triangle set – just pin the paper to the fabric and start sewing.

I like to keep the triangle paper beside my sewing machine, and when I finish a few blocks from a project, I’ll jump over to the patchwork pinwheels and sew a few from the leftovers.

Maybe you’d like to try this for your scraps too? I’ll show you how. It’s pretty easy.

Patchwork Pinwheels Video Tutorial

Supplies

1″ Triangles on a Roll template paper*
Fabric scraps
Rotary cutter or scissors

*Note: If you’d like to make larger triangles, check out this handy guide to cutting half-square triangles and matching Triangles on a Roll to your patterns.

Step 1

Cut the Triangle Paper into 4-block squares. Select fabric scraps that are 4″ square or larger to cover the entire block. Choose one light and one dark scrap. Place them right sides together with the light side on top.

Pin the paper template onto the scraps and pin in place, avoiding the dashed lines for the most part because you’ll be sewing over those lines.

Tip: For easier sewing, cut the block with an X shape, like below, rather than a diamond shape.

Step 2

With a shorter stitch length than you normally use (I used a 1.4), stitch directly on the dashed lines.

Step 3

Cut around the outside edges. Then cut on the remaining solid lines. You’ll end up with eight units.

Step 4

Fold the paper along a crease. Then remove the paper. Press toward your darker fabric and trim off dog ears. Now you can sew your 1″ half-square triangles together to make pinwheels.

I have about seventy pinwheels now, and by the end of the year, I will have a whole quilt’s worth of pinwheels.

It’s cool to have something that I can look back on at the end of the year and see bits of all the quilts I worked on. What about you? What will you do with your scraps this year? Let me know in the comments below!

Kimberly’s 2019 Challenge: Use Your Scraps Pinwheel Patchwork

After sewing up sew many pinwheels, Kimberly turned them into a beautiful quilt.

You can find the full pattern and layout instructions for this Pinwheel Patchwork Quilt on our Free Patterns Page.

Sew Pin-able!

Find inspiration on Instagram with #PatchworkPinwheels. Be sure to hashtag #PatchworkPinwheels and tag us (@fatquartershop) so we can see and share your work. All of these images can be repinned on Pinterest so you can share this project with your friends or save it for later!

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