Pinwheel Potholder :: Tutorial + Giveaway

Hi there!  Today I’m going to give you the basics to make an 8×8 quilted potholder that has a modernized pinwheel design.

Each pinwheel block  is foundation pieced and then all 12 are sewn together.   If you’ve never foundation pieced, don’t be intimidated!  This is a great tutorial on how to do it and the pinwheel is really simple and would be a great first-time project using this method.

I’m providing the template for the pinwheels and basic instructions for piecing the layout and putting the potholder together.   This project uses small amounts of fabric, so it’s difficult to give exact yardage.

You have two options for making the pinwheels.   When you print the template there are (5) – 2.5″ squares per page.  The patchwork portion of the potholder uses (12) – 2.5″ squares.

If you would prefer to paper piece, print out 3 template pages and use 12 of the squares.   The other option is to cut (12) 2.5″ squares from your solid fabric and foundation piece without paper.   This is the method I chose because it saves the mess of tearing away the paper.

If you want to go this route, use 1 of the template squares and cut away the side triangles leaving the center ‘kite’.


You will use that as a guide to trace your sewing lines onto the solid squares.   This makes sense to me as I type, but please let me know if it sounds confusing to you!

You will need:

  • PinwheelPotholderTemplate
  • 8×8 + 8×6 pieces of Insulbrite  (you could also use regular batting, but it will not be as heat-resistant)
  • 10 prints measuring 6×6 each (if you are utilizing scraps you just need enough to cover 4  triangles per print, so you can easily use 4 different sized scraps)
  • 1 solid measuring about 14×14
  • double fold binding
  • 8×8 piece for the inside of the potholder
  • 8×8 piece for the backside of the potholder
  • 8×6 piece for the backside of the patchwork piece

Once you’ve decided how you want to piece (paper piecing vs. foundation piecing directly on the fabric) prepare your squares by cutting 12 of the paper templates or 12 fabric squares with your ‘kite’ drawn in the center of each.

Below I’ve shown you the layout of all 12 blocks.  Figure out where you want each print to go and then assign each a number.   Write the number in the spot that will use that fabric.  Now you can piece your blocks more quickly!

Once you have all 12 squares complete, arrange in the layout above.   Now we need to piece them together.  Start in the top left corner and piece the top row together with a 1/4″ seam.   You can press seams open or to the side, whichever you prefer.

Then you will piece all 3 rows together and will end up with this beauty.


Next we need to make a quilt sandwich with the patchwork piece.   (*Note, I will be using a different patchwork piece for my pictures using the same measurements.)

Grab your 8×6 piece of insulbrite and your 8×6 lining piece.   Layer lining piece wrong side up, then insulbrite, and your patchwork piece last, right side up.    Pin or spray baste and then quilt as desired.


Now, take a piece of your binding and bind the top edge of the patchwork piece.


Repeat the quilt sandwich for the back portion of the potholder.  Start with your 8×8 backing piece wrong side up, then insulbrite and last your 8×8 inside piece, right side up.  Quilt as desired.


Time to  put it all together!

With the lining right side up, place your patchwork piece on top and line up the bottom edges.


Baste by sewing around the sides and bottom outside edges, very close to the edge.   Just enough to hold the two together.

Finish by binding the completed square.

Make a few more and you have a great hostess gift or just something pretty to use in your own kitchen!  You can substitute any patchwork piece using the same measurements.

—————————————-

If you made it this far, thank you!  I thought I’d have a little giveaway just for fun.

I will draw 3 winners:

1st winner :: will get a 1/2 yard of Insulbrite and a bag of scraps to get started making a Pinwheel Potholder.   This is for current followers of LRstitched.  Just leave a comment telling me what colors you would use for your potholder!

2nd winner  :: will also get a 1/2 yard of Insulbrite and a bag of scraps for making a potholder.  This is for NEW followers of LRstitched.  Just leave me a comment to let me know you are a new follower and also the colors you would use!

3rd winner :: will get the Dresden potholder pictured above.   I will draw from all comments left!

Giveaway is open to  international readers too!  I will close it on Thursday, October 20 at 12 noon EST.    Winners will be selected using random generator.

xo, Lindsey

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  • Carla G

    What a cool potholder! Thanks for the tutorial! I am subscribed to your blog via email, but just signed up in gfc…so I don’t know if I’m considered a new or old follower… Thanks for the great giveaway! I would like to make a potholder in bright colors…maybe reds, aquas and grey! Thanks for a chance to win! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Maeve

    Thanks so much for the tute! I LOVE this potholder, and I guess the riot of color makes it even better. I would use oranges, purples and white for my 1st potholder (for granddaughter, graduate of Clemson Univ.); peaches and creams and greens for the 2nd one (mine, all mine!); echino fabs for the 3rd one; Christmas colors for the 4th one; all Japanese fabs for the 5th one; and just a wild potpourri of scraps (like Kaffe, Amy, Joel, etc.) for the 6th one. I really plan to get going on this pattern, it is a winner! I just signed up last week, BTW.ReplyCancel

  • lynn

    thanks for the tutorial-i think i can do this = yay! i’m a current follower and i’d choose aqua/red or any greens. thanks!ReplyCancel

  • Gill

    Thank you for a great tutorial!
    I’m a current follower via email!)
    I’d use grey with orange or yellow or aqua!!
    Thanks!ReplyCancel

  • What a great tutorial- thank you! I’m already a follower via google reader 🙂 I’d make one with green, grey and yellow!ReplyCancel

  • Toni

    I know what I’m doing for Christmas Gifts! Very cute!

    And I’m a new follower, and would use… umm.. a mish mash of colors. That wasn’t helpful, was it? How’s about greens and purples and blues?ReplyCancel

  • Hmmm…I might make this in grays and purples, since those are my kitchen colors…maybe with a pop of orange to make it fun! (I still want to raid your fabric stash! GORGEOUS!) These will make great Christmas gifts…thanks for the tutorial!

    I’ve been following your blog since we “met” in the Threadheads bee! ;0)ReplyCancel

  • Pat V.

    I do love the colors in your potholder, so cheerful. I’m thinking I’ll make some Christmas-y ones in green, red and gold.ReplyCancel

  • Megan

    I’m already a follower via email. And I would love something in Blues please and thanks. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • You know what’s funny? At the start of the tut, I took out my crackberry, went to my quilt shop list & added ‘insulbrite’ to it. Winning some would be better! 🙂 I would probably make a potholder in…hmmm. I can’t decide. Darker fabrics that wouldn’t show the messiness as easily between washings.
    I just recently added your blog to my reading list in Blogger… is that the same as ‘following’? If not, I will try & figure out the proper way & I guess I am new!ReplyCancel

  • I think I’d make one with medium gray and aqua prints… hopefully that would be cheery while still hiding stains. 😀 Thanks for the chance to win (I’m a current follower)!ReplyCancel

  • I’m a current follower 🙂

    I’d make one for my kitchen in varying shades of red and green to match my kitchen.ReplyCancel

  • VickiT

    Fabulous tutorial. Thank you so much. I am already a follower via email. I would use purples and blue fabrics with possibly some red mixed in.ReplyCancel

  • Barbara

    I am already a follower……and I would use greens and browns.
    Great tutorial!!ReplyCancel

  • Sweet potholders! I’m a current follower 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Sallie

    I’m a current follower. I’d use reds and blacks. Thanks for the giveaways!ReplyCancel

  • Mary Jo

    I am a follower of your blog on bloglines and I love your blog. Thanks for a great tutorial. I would use mustard, grey and or aqua, but I love all colors.
    ThanksReplyCancel

  • I follow you by email.Thanks for the tutorial,I love paper piecing.
    I`d love use aqua and brown.Thanks !!ReplyCancel

  • Lori Ginsberg

    I am a new follower!!! I love your potholder tutorial. What a great Christmas gift idea. I love fabrics with a vintagey feel. I a giving my kitchen a makeover and my colors are yellow, red, white and aqua.ReplyCancel

  • I’m an old follower!!
    I think light blues and bright oranges would go well in my kitchen xxReplyCancel

  • Love the pinwheel potholder! I just finished my first (successful) paper pieced project, so I can hardly wait to try this. I am an avid follower via Reader. Thanks for the opportunity to win.ReplyCancel

  • Tricia C.

    I just subscribed to your blog after your post on Ellison Lane. Thanks so much for the tutorial and the giveaway!ReplyCancel

  • lee

    I am a new subscriber through google reader. I would love to make some of these for my daughter – yellows/blues/greens – thanks very much!ReplyCancel

  • Andrea C L

    grey and yellow! i have been following you 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth McDonald

    I am a new follower (with Google Reader) and like to use bright colors in my kitchen!ReplyCancel

  • Emma B.

    I definitely want to give this a try! I’m already a follower! I think I would start with an aqua/red combo.ReplyCancel

  • Cute potholder! I really want to give this a try in gray, blue and yellow! I am already a follower.ReplyCancel

  • Penny

    Your tutorial is the answer to my search for a great potholder. CHARMING.ReplyCancel

  • Thank you for the great tutorial!! I have been wanting to try pinwheels and this is a great way to get started. I have been a follower love your blog!ReplyCancel

  • Thank you for the tutorial ! I would like to make some of these for Christmas gift so green and red !
    I just add your blog to my reader !ReplyCancel

  • grace

    What a sweet sew..it looks like a treat to sew and use..thanks for being so thoughtful in your giveaway!ReplyCancel

  • I am a new follower! I would love purple and pink 🙂ReplyCancel

  • montse

    I was already a follower (i receive you mails). Love the modern pinwheels and thanks for thinking about us international readers. Thanks!ReplyCancel

  • I would use red green and silver for a christmas gift!!! Those are really cute, thanks for the tutorialReplyCancel

  • […] Skip to content HomeAbout Me.Featured.Life’s To-do.Tutorials. ← Pinwheel Potholder :: Tutorial + Giveaway October 18, 2011 · 10:18 am ↓ Jump to […]ReplyCancel

  • Cecillia

    I’d love to make one with blue, green and grey. Great tutorial! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Debb Lou

    Thanks for the tutorial … I am a subscriber … thanksReplyCancel

  • Charity Reesor

    I just signed up to follow you by e-mail. Thanks for thereat tutorial! These are going to make great Christmas gifts! I love the colors of the pinwheel potholder the most 😉ReplyCancel

    • Charity Reesor

      Oops! Typo.. The great tutorial 😉ReplyCancel

  • Heather

    I’m a current follower and I would use fall colours because those are the colours that would best match my kitchen. But honestly, I’m not too worried about being “matchy matchy” in my house. We’re a little more eclectic by nature so any pleasing colour combinations work for me. I’m a scrappy dream!ReplyCancel

  • Looks cool, thank you for the tutorial. I’m your current follower 😉
    I love various colour combinations, so it can be orange/yellow and aqua (or grey), brown and blue or orange and purple/violet and yellow…ReplyCancel

  • Jqluo

    Loves blue and brown.. I am an international reader! I signed up the newsletter!ReplyCancel

  • Lindsey those are great and you made them look easy with the tutorial! I want the one you’ve already made so I just can hang it up and admire it 😉ReplyCancel

  • Oh, Lindsey – you just make that look too easy! Thanks for such a great tutorial. I’m going to give those a try! I’m so into any shade of purple these days – from plum to lilac! love!ReplyCancel

  • Dawn

    I am a new follower, I would use Red/Black in my kitchen. thanks for the great tutorial. I love making pot holders but hate getting the pretty ones dirty.ReplyCancel

  • Sharon

    I’ll have to give this a try. I am always whipping together a potholder for myself or my daughter and they look so cute just hanging around the kitchen, but I do use them. Would love to win — thanks for the chance.ReplyCancel

  • Karen O

    I am a new follower, and love this tutorial. I am a newer quilter, and love pinwheel blocks in all forms. Very fun to see a new style.ReplyCancel

  • Beth T.

    I’m a follower (and a fan). Our kitchen is in cheery colors (reds, blues, yellows, with a dash of lime green and orange for my vibrant-loving sweetheart thrown in), so I’d probably do something in that wide range. Thanks for the great tutorial; I was just thinking about making pot holders and you may have given me the push I needed.ReplyCancel

  • Kell

    Thanks for the tutorial! I’ve been wanting to make some potholders for our kitchen. So I would say anything in yellows & greens or that’s a good match with the two. I’m a current follower through Google Reader.

    Thanks for the giveaway!ReplyCancel

  • Winner, Winner! | LRstitched :: a journal of stitches

    […] winner of a potholder kit from current followers is :: kels1287 October 17, 2011 at 1:43 pm (Edit) What a great tutorial- thank you! I’m already a follower via google reader I’d make one […]ReplyCancel

  • Thank you for the tutorial I’m going to make one for my dil who is always getting her fingers burned.ReplyCancel

  • Carol greig

    Hi I am a new follower. I would use people’s and greens. I love your Dresden pattern. Is that available somewhere?ReplyCancel

  • So cool! I actually also want to make a mini pinwheel to cover a 3″ mini canvas. Potholder? For my kitchen I’d want turquoises, greens, silver (wait is there silver fabric? not really enough…must get my head out of the clouds!)ReplyCancel

  • I’m a new follower – via email! LOVE this paper pieced pattern – I may try it for a Christmas Table Runner or two 🙂
    If I had to choose a pot holder color, it would be lime and aqua – wierd I know!ReplyCancel

  • I have been following you. I would like greens , particularly lime green for a potholder. Happy new year!ReplyCancel

  • Judy Misener

    Hi Lindsey,
    I’m a new follower and look forward to my new adventure! Thanks.ReplyCancel

  • Cathy Stone

    I just discovered you and love how you make things simpler.!I cant wait to make the potholder.. fabric is calling…ReplyCancel

  • […] And I also love the potholders you can slide your hands into, like this one from LR Stitched. […]ReplyCancel

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