If you plan to use the sew around the edges technique then according to the link I posted on page 3 it says a 5" block will make a 3 1/2" triangle square. 4 triangle squares will then make a 6 1/2" unfinished pinwheel or a 6" finished pinwheel.
(3 1/2" + 3 1/2" - 1" = 6 inch finished)

Please remember I have not done this before so it might be a good idea to make a practice with scrap fabric.
HTH

Welcome to all of you!
I'm so glad you decided to join us.
:)

I hope everyone here keeps posting their progress or lack of it!
That's the motivation I need to keep me going sometimes!
:-D

I'm in...will use the blocks for our prayer quilt ministry at church. We normally make 45"x60". Getting fabric pulled today. Sounds fun.

The one I am thinking about doing will be about 63" x 72" not including any borders I might decide to do.
7 9" blocks across by 8 9" blocks down = 56 blocks
My pinwheels will be bold solid colors and the background a white on white.

You don't have to make it like mine! Do your own thing.
What quilt size do you like?
What block size do you like?
Are you using any scraps or all new bought fabric?

Lots of people would help if we knew more of what you would to make so let us know.
Give us some more info and we will help you plan.
(I actually do more planning than making!
:oops: )

The "magic number" for half-square triangles is 7/8". You simply add 7/8" to the required FINISHED SIZE of your half-square triangle unit.

So, for example, if you want a 4" (finished size) half-square triangle unit, you need to cut two squares that measure 4 and 7/8" each. For a 5 and 1/2" (finished size) half-square triangle unit, you need to cut squares that measure 6 and 3/8". Quite easy really!

I think I might try this. I actually made my first pinwheel last night and it turned out pretty good. I think I'll do scrappy maybe, or at least partly scrappy.

Is this an exchange or do we keep them ourselves? There is a chart for conversion to the squares you get before you put them together for pinwheels. http://www.moonlightquilters.org/tipHSTfav.htm
But it is a little off. So... I have been checking and making them to get corrrect dimensions. I have made several practise pinwheels. I love the fast method, sewing all around the edges of 2 blocks. So easy. It's just the converting to the right sizes is the hard part.

These three have been posted:
Check them out.

http://helenernst.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E

http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltbl...heel_quilt.htm
This last does call for 4 7/8" blocks but I would use 5" blocks and trim them to 4 1/2" when done that step.

You are not limited to doing it this way if you know of another way that's fine.
:-D

Anyone have any examples of a nice scrapy pinwheel quilt? I've only seen those that use white. How scrappy can you get?