Pinwheel cards are a beautiful and creative way to use up your scrap paper, but getting that perfect square alignment can be frustrating. That’s why we’re sharing this one tip to make it easy!
But before we dive into that, let’s enjoy looking at a bunch of amazing pinwheel cards. The card above uses the Bright & Beautiful Designer Series Paper.
BASIC PINWHEEL CARDS
Notice how you can add the quilt part using different angles, like these two card made with the Fresh as a Daisy Designer Series Paper. (New colors used here are Copper Clay, Wild Wheat and Pebbled Path.
So many different color combinations can be used. This Fresh Freesia with Starry Night is gorgeous with the Flowers & More Designer Series Paper.
This pinwheel card made with the Butterfly Kisses Designer Series Paper looks like a modern quilt.
VARIATIONS ON PINWHEEL CARDS
Running the pinwheel through an embossing folder before attaching the card gives it a quilted look. Both of these cards were made with the Moody Mauve In Color Papers, but the one on the right was run through the Stitched Greenery Die. Can you tell the difference?
The Regency Park Designer Series Paper is a great choice for a vintage look. Note how a cut out flower from the paper is used as the middle accent for the quilt and the sentiment has been layered on strips. It has also been run through an embossing folder.
Another way to step up the quilted look is to add stitched lines around the pinwheel like this card also made with the Regency Park Designer Series Paper.
Step by Step Directions for Making a Pinwheel Card
These are the supplies you will need.
Use adhesive to layer the two 2-5/8″ squares like this photo.
(Check out the template below for getting them aligned!)
To add the small squares, start with one in the corner. Put adhesive only on the the right side so that the last square can be tucked under the left side.
Overlap each of the next seven squares, putting one square in each corner.
For the last square, add adhesive and tuck in under the first square like this. Add to the card front.
Quick & Simple Template Hack for Pinwheel Cards
So…how do you get that perfect square alignment? With this one tip, creating a template for perfect square alignment will be a breeze. Start by laying out your first square on some graph paper, add adhesive to the second square, and layer it on top at a right angle. Then, simply draw around it on the graph paper. It’s that easy! Your pattern will look like this. (Save this pattern for future use!)
Watch the video below to see this template being made.
Once you have your template, you’ll be able to create a whole stack of pinwheel cards to have on hand for any occasion.
ONLINE QUILT CARDS CLASS
Isn’t this a perfect design to send to those quilting friends? Quilts also speak of warmth and comfort, so they are good for any occasion. If you have enjoyed this tutorial, you will love our Quilt Cards Class! This pinwheel quilt card is just the beginning! Check out the Online Quilt Cards Class here.
How to Make Pinwheel Cards Easy
This is a replay of our weekly Create with Us Show (every Thursday at 1 pm central time on our Stamping on the Back Porch Youtube Channel) – so go to 27:40 to see the pinwheel cards being made.
One last reminder!
Check out the Online Quilt Cards Class here.
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I did my own without checking your measurements and I was off by about 1/4′ but turned out Really Nice just the dame. Just not as big a square. I am going to try the correct measurements later. I Really Love your card and thank you for showing us how to do it. Greatly appreciated.