Pretty Pinwheels

Here is a simple and fun take on a summer time childhood favorite - pinwheels! Traditionally, pinwheels are made of paper. I decided to try a new spin and make them from fabric instead.

What I used:
Linen fabric
Heat n Bond Lite
¼” x 12” long wooden dowels
Decorative button – approximately 1” in diameter
18 gauge wire
¼” grommet
Scissors
Power drill
3/32 drill bit
Pencil
Iron
Small bead
Pinwheel pattern (below)
Hammer
Pliers
Wire cutters

Pinwheel Pattern:
Note: Enlarge to 6" x 6" square.

What I did:

Makes one pinwheel. Please read through all instructions before beginning.

Cut four 6” square fabric pieces and two 6” square pieces of Heat n Bond Lite. Using an iron and the Heat n Bond, follow manufacturer’s instructions to fuse two pieces of fabric together - right sides out. You now have the two fabric squares which will form the pinwheel.

Pin pinwheel pattern to both completed fabric squares. Cut along dotted lines to center circle as indicated. Mark center of square with pencil.

Using pattern as a guide, take one corner indicated with a dot and fold it towards the center of the square. Secure with needle and thread and cut off end of end triangle so center mark is visible. (I used the same needle and thread to secure all four folds.)

Fold over next marked corner. Once again, secure with needle and thread and cut off end of triangle so center is visible. Continue in this manner until all four marked corners have been sewn in place. Repeat with second fabric square.

Using small scissors make a hole in the center of both squares where marked.

Insert grommet through both center holes – right side up. Align two pinwheels as shown below. 

Following manufacturer’s instructions secure pinwheels together with grommet.

Cut a 6” piece of wire using wire cutters. Thread through button hole, fold in half, and twist slightly. Using pliers, squeeze wire tight around button hole so that the button will not move.

Using power drill and 3/32 drill bit, drill a hole in the dowel approximately ½” from the end of the dowel.

Insert wire with button through pinwheel. Thread small bead on to wire.

Thread wire through hole in dowel. Leaving about ¼” space between bead and dowel, wrap wire around dowel. Use pliers to press ends of wire tightly next to dowel.

How to Enjoy:

What I learned:
Pinwheels are very simple to make and the fabric combinations are endless. They make unique table top decorations, party favors and more! This is a great project to use up small pieces of fabric and would also be easy to follow using paper.

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