Elizabeth A.

Let's see here.... Notes and Tips for Housewife

I don't know about all of you, but I start on the last page with the supplies list.
(color number one and it's cutting information isn't part of troublesome area)
Color #2 is the DARKEST Color and it says to cut one 2 7/8" X 23" strip
and TWO 5 1/4" squares
Color #3 is the LIGHTEST Color and says to cut exactly the same thing. One 2 7/8" X 23" strip
and TWO 5 1/4" squares
All these are fine and go ahead and cut them as listed.

So now we've cut out those things we're off to page one. Page one is just fine - follow it along past the speed piecing of the two strips you cut. The last paragraph on this page starts off Then Stack your Color 2 and your Color 3. Follow that paragraph. At the very end it says you will have four quarter square triangles. That is not correct, you will really have eight quarter square triangles because the directions told you to cut two squares of each color. Take a good look at those quarter square triangles.

Line them up together with the longest edge lined up with your stomach sorting them to match shape and color (In my photos I have marked these lines Black in the Housewife block and pink in the "extra" block.) Here you will find that four of your quarter square triangles have the darkest color on the left, where as the extra four have the lightest color on the left!

For our Housewife block you want to only use the quarter square triangles with the darkest side on the left.

Now that we have pulled the extras from our work we can proceed to page 2 and sewing the medium color triangles to the quarter square triangles that have the darkest triangle on the left. Spinning these to ensure you are using the correct ones before sewing the medium color triangles on will ensure you don't have to dig out the seam ripper (like me).

Those extras are yours to keep, make a second block if you'd like.

Keep in mind following these directions you do need to cut both sets of squares! Each cut square only gives you half of each pinwheel. Two correct ones and two wrong ones.

I have added photos so you can visually see what I mean. Feel free to ask if you need more clarification! :D