Tuesday, March 23, 2010

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.

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage
Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple
Show Off Your Stuff at Fireflies and Jelly Beans
Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tater Tots and Jello
I Made It Party at Everything Etsy

21 comments:

Annie Louise said...

Great and beautiful idea. Thanks for sharing your lovely pinwheels.
Jeanette

pve design said...

Pretty pinwheels. I love making them with white paper and painting them....
pve

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I love the linen fabric you used - makes these look so classy!

katie hanson said...

what a great tutorial! thanks :)

i stumbled across your blog and love it! just wanted to say hi!

xo, katie
http://www.kateandoli.blogspot.com

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

Pinwheels bring out the inner kid! Fun!

Anonymous said...

What a cute idea! I like the fabric that you used.

Fawnda@Fireflies and Jellybeans said...

Very cute idea! They are beautiful!

Lynda @ SportsMadGirl said...

What a great idea! They turned out beautiful.

Dionne said...

Oh how pretty! I love them. Such a pretty Spring idea!

Its So Very Cheri said...

I LOVE your color combo. those are really cute. We have made them before but did bright colors.

Cheri

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a cute project! I love the fabrics you used too. Beautiful!

XOOX
Jen

jvw home said...

thanks so much for commenting on my blog! i was really starting to think no one was getting the posts! we thought maybe the Feedblitz wasn't working, but my niece fixed it....i'm wondering if it's the "google connect" feature on my blog....
so, you DID receive the bathroom fixture post when it was sent last week?? i thought maybe since no one had commented or tried for the giveaway , that it wasn't going through....
i appreciate your sweet comments and adore your Etsy shop!
thanks again,
Jeanette
jvw home
http://jvwhome.blogspot.com

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. said...

I never thought of fabric for pinwheels...great idea!

Sawdust Girl said...

Found you on tatertots and I love this. They are so cute made out of fabric. TFS. Sandra@sawdustandpaperscraps

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I really love this! Can't you just see these at an outdoor wedding?

Kirsten Krason said...

A great project. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

Laura said...

These are so pretty. Perfect for a summer party.

I'm featuring a necklace tutorial and giveaway. I'd love it if you stopped by my blog!

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

I just saw your feature on Somewhat Simple. I absolutely ADORE this idea!! I want to see some more of your stuff!!

Alison

Nancy said...

I'm loving these with fabric, I had recently done some out of paper, now I'm going to have to give these a try!

jvw home said...

Would love for you to post about the nursery! I'll take better photos this week too...but you're welcome to use the ones on my current blog as well....you reminded me that I need to "tag" you back on that part of the post! The pillow looks so beautiful in her room and she adores it.
thanks for reading along and have a great day,
JVW

www.jvwhome.com
http://jvwhome.blogspot.com

MiniBinoy said...

wow!! its so pretty !! great tutorial..feel like making one now itself!:)

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