Pin wheel block problem
 

Can someone tell the best way to get a flat center in a pin wheel block. I love pin wheels but always end up with a "lump" in the middle if the block where all the seams meet. Any good tips out there? TIA

I press all of my seams open. No lumps. I'm sure others will be along with other suggestions as well. Good luck.

Press open or spin the seam.

I have a tailors wooden clapper that I use to give the "intersection" a good whack after pressing it open.

I spin my seams.

I press my seams open when I sew 8 "pie wedges" together to make a kaleidoscope circle in a square block.

Years ago, I read that to make them lie flat to mark a dot on wrong side of fabric 1/4 inch from the edge and then start to sew at this dot. It will leave the ends open and they will twirl and then press flat. Does this make sense to anyone?

I press my seams open, tried spinning but never seemed to work for me.

Press open here, 99% of the time. Usually not a problem but sometimes you get some that are just rock hard. So sometimes, the right tool for the job is a hammer. Seriously. Just whack it!

I grade the ends. Here is good video of how to do it. Go to time 3:23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYLI...FatQuarterShop

I spin the seams.

I never seem to have a lump. I haven't made pinwheels for a while.

I spin my seams in the center. It may take a bit of trial and error but once you get it, it works every time.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have tried spinning but doesnt' seem to work very well. I'm going to try pressing my seams open. Again thanks.

Thanks Onebyone. Good video

Watch this short and clear video, it shows exactly how to do it. Pay very close attention to how she presses the seams, especially with the HSTs at the very beginning. You DON'T want to press your seams open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHKj542GDFI

Another one that shows the technique.

ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcqJmOJnkms

You should only have to pop a stitch or two for the seams to spin.

I spin my center and press. It works well for me

What do you mean, spin seams?

What do you mean, spin seams?

A poster has replied with link to what spin seams are and how to do them. There are many videos on youtube how to do it. I like to do the pop method.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajw2PqcFLs0
this should help

Whenever possible, press your seams open. That solves most problems, and this pinwheel problem in particular!