Pinwheel Star Quilt Card Tutorial
Sending thank you cards is so important to me, and after my friend invited me to attend the quilting expo with her (check out my guide to sewing and quilt expos), I wanted to send my appreciation with a handmade card. With this pinwheel star quilt card, I was able to combine two of my favorite hobbies: card-making and quilting!
One of the most iconic images I remember seeing when I was learning how to quilt was the pinwheel star. Paired with pretty fabrics, the straight lines were easy for me to sew. Likewise, it’s an easy card to create! Plus, it uses up those fun pattered scraps saved and waiting for the right project.
I hope you find my tutorial useful and it helps you create your own card. No quilting experience necessary!
Instructions for the Pinwheel Star Quilt Card:
Create template for the pinwheel star:
Draw out a template on a scrap of cardstock. To do this, use a ruler to draw a straight line. Next, draw a parallel line about 1.5” from the first line. Now turn the cardstock and draw 2 more line similarly so they are perpendicular to the first two lines.
This will create the crosshatch design.
Cut your scraps for the pinwheel star:
You’ll need 3 complimentary pattern papers. This is definitely a good use of scraps, as they don’t need to be very large.
Using the least busy design, cut a 1.5” x 1.5” square for the center. Stamp with your sentiment and adhere the square into the center of your cardstock template.
With each of the other two patterns, cut 2 1.5’ x 1.5” squares (for a total of 4 new squares).
Cut the four squares diagonally in order to make half-square triangles. Don’t worry if they aren’t perfect. The design helps to hide mistakes. I had a difficult time cutting these small squares on my paper trimmer, so I just used scissors.
Here’s where the template design we drew earlier helps. Lay down each the four triangles from one pattern around the square as shown in a pinwheel.
Now lay the remaining pattern’s triangles overtop the first set as shown for the reverse pinwheel.
When you are happy with how it looks, adhere your triangles down.
Fussy-cut out the pinwheel star design. Now it can be used for a cardfront (or maybe a scrapbook page??).
Make your card base:
For the card, I found a tangerine cardstock and cut 8 ½” x 5 ½”, then folded it in half.
I cut out a 4” x 5 ¼” piece of white cardstock, and stamped a few crafty images (from Stampin Up set called “Love You Sew”) to be seen behind the pinwheel star using grey ink. Adhere the white piece to the cardstock. Then use popdots (I love these for adding depth to cards and scrapbook layouts!) to adhere your pinwheel onto the card front.
I’d love to know what other creative ways you will use this pinwheel star, so please leave a comment!
Happy Crafting!
