Desperate Housewives Quilt block Tutorial…

Have you seen the Desperate Housewives Quilt Along by Jane from Want it, Need it, Quilt! ?

If you haven’t then might I suggest you go take a look. Soooo many great block designs to inspire and try!

This is my contribution to the quilt along and the block I’ll be teaching you today:

Please excuse the very crooked photo!

This block is was inspired by one that I made for a bee friend a year ago….

She gave us free reign of the design as long as it was in the colours grey, yellow & white. I was crushing on pinwheels at the time so I decided to try pinwheels on point. I’ve been dying to make it again ever since because I just love a good block on point also, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity.

My original block was 12.5 inches unfinished but today we’re going to make the baby version.
Using the following measurements your block should measure up 8.5inches unfinished and will finish up at 8 inches once sewn together into a quilt top.All seam allowances are 1/4 inch.

Here is what you will need to make it:

**  2 of 3 inch squares of feature fabric (for the pinwheels)

**  2 of 3 inch square of your main solid (also for the pinwheels)

**  4 of 2 inch squares of your accent solid (for your points in each corner)

**  A 21 inch long 1 inch strip of your accent solid (for around the pinwheels)

**  2 of 6 inch squares cut on the diagonal to make 4 triangles.

Step 1: Making our pinwheel
First we need to take our 3 inch squares and make our pinwheels using half square triangles.
Pair up one of your 3 inch solid squares with one of your 3 inch feature squares and place them right sides together. Draw a line diagonally from one corner to the other.

Sew 1/4 of an inch on either side of the lines

Cut line down the middle so that you now have 2 half square triangles.
Carefully press back into squares and trim down to a 2.5 inch square.
Repeat with the other 3 inch squares

Piece your 4 half square triangles into a pinwheel

Step 2: Adding our sashing
Take your 21 inch long strip and cut two pieces that are the same length as the sides of the pinwheel.
Sew them onto two of the sides

Repeat for the other two sides

Step 3: Adding the surround
Take 1 of your large triangle bits. Place it upside down on one of the sides so that there is even overhang off each side of the pinwheel.
Sew it on.
Repeat for the side opposite.
Press the seams over

Repeat for the other two sides and carefully trim down to 8.5 inches.
Just make sure that you keep the pinwheel somewhat centred…
Trim the seams on the back down also so that your seams are neat 1/4 inch seams.

Step 4: Finishing
Take your 2 inch accent squares and lay one right side down at one of the corners. Make sure the edges line up neatly.
Sew a line on the diagonal from one side to the other
Repeat to the other 3 corners

Press over so that the squares are folded in half to make triangles
Trim the bottom two layers down to 1/4 inch seams and your block is finished

Yay!

And here are two together…

Quick, easy & effective. Just how I like it 🙂

Hope you have fun with it!