Friday, November 17, 2017

On The Road Again....



Hello, quilters!


  Are you enjoying the Road Rally? It’s the last day for the Quiltmaker’s 100 BlocksVolume 16 Blog Hop but I know you are still finding fun and interesting stuff on the designer blogs!   




As a child, I used to play with that folded-paper fortune teller with my friends!  Remember those?  It was fun to make up answers (or fortunes), fold the paper origami-style and, finally, get an answer to some silly questions. 



When I finished making my block for Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, the on-point squares reminded me of a paper fortune teller.  I soon discovered that it’s also called Whirlybird - like a helicopter!  Well, with the movement the triangles create in the block, I had to call it Whirlybird! 








You can use this block in so many ways.  Sew a dozen of these blocks and you can easily make a lap size quilt with three blocks across and four blocks down.  Add a little border to frame it and, voila, you have a really neat quilt with pinwheels everywhere!  Here it is made with fabrics from the Improv Collection by Benartex.




You can add sashing for easier construction and add a neat border print.  Here I’ve used the Surf’s Up collection from Northcott fabrics.  Isn’t that a neat quilt to cuddle with at a beach house?   



Red Pinwheels or Blue Pinwheels???  

One of my favorite design elements is an unusual sashing.  I could not resist creating one to go with this block!  Can you tell what the sashing looks like from this quilt picture? (Sashing picture below!)


(Garden Party fabrics by Michael Miller)


I purposely created this sashing so that none of the seams match any of the block seams!  It makes sewing the quilt go so much easier.   Here's another version:  


Can you figure out the sashing yet?  

Here’s what that sashing looks like:


It is constructed of two 3” finished Square in a Square units, separated by a 1” x 3” finished rectangle with a 2 ½” x 3” finished rectangle on each end.  The main thing really is to make sure the points on those Square in a Square units don’t get cut off when you sew the quilt together.  So, you will need a good 1/4” seam allowance at those points. 

Mark a 2” unfinished square (white in the picture below) on one diagonal.  I typically use a mechanical pencil for this.  It’s pretty accurate as it has a fine point and the line comes out just the right skinny width.  Using a regular No. 2 pencil is tricky because the line usually ends up being too wide.  You will be using this line as a stitch line so it’s really important for the best accuracy that this line isn’t wider than your thread.

Place this square on one corner of a 3 ½” unfinished square (green in the picture).  Match up the raw edges and sew just a tiny hair’s breadth to the left of your marked line.  When you fold back and press the sewn triangle, it should match up the raw edges.  When it does, you can trim the extra layers underneath.   If it doesn’t match, you may want to unstitch and re-sew it again.  


Repeat marking and sewing on all four corners of the green fabric to get a Square in a Square unit. 


If you want a bed quilt, a quick way to do it is to alternate the block with a pretty print square.  Set it on point and you will see this block from a whole different perspective! 

(Washington Depot Collection by Free Spirit Fabrics)

 So, what’s your favorite setting and the colors you would most likely use for Whirlybird?  Leave a comment with your answers and please be sure to include a way for me to contact you (you can’t win if you leave a no-reply comment!).  US only please.  I will be choosing two winners who will both receive a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Volume 16, one from me and one from Quiltmaker! 


Just one more...


Happy Trails!

74 comments:

  1. I liked the version with the Surf's Up Collection with the red pinwheels. It has such a fun feel!

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  2. I liked the Surf's Up layout with the red pinwheels. I have no idea what colors I would use - probably some bright batiks.

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  3. I do like your sashing variations. The red/green/yellow version is what I'd choose. I had to chuckle when you showed a picture of a folded paper fortune. As a former teacher, I can't tell you how many of those I had in my desk drawers :)

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  4. I like the setting with Washington Depot Collection by Free Spirit Fabrics.

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  5. I like the layout alternating with a print square. The fabrics you chose in purple or maybe pink would be so cute for a girl's bed.

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  6. I like the green and red on yellow with the sashing, it's beautifully bold and bright.

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  7. I really like the first setting with no sashing! I think it would be striking in yellows against a dark background.

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  8. No sashing version (first one) is my favorite!

    dlk3265 @ gmail . com

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  9. I really like Happy Trails and I would use pinks and greens. I love this block. It really looks awesome in the quilts. Thank you for the giveaway and congratulations on getting it in the magazine.

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  10. When I saw your block on the Quilty Pleasures site, my mind said, "Christmas quilt possibility." The Surf's Up version would be perfect for that, in white, green and red.

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  11. I really like this block. The sashing that you have taken pictures of that shows that none of the seams match any of the blocks sewn has now become my favorite sashing using colors red, blue and white. Thank you for being a part of the Road Rally Tour and want to wish you Happy Holidays.

    Sandi Timmons
    sandit1@sbcglobal.net

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    1. You're so nice, Sandi! I've really enjoyed being part of the Road Rally Tour as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  12. I like Washington Depot, in cool colors, my favorite.
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  13. Congratulations on your block! It is great! thank you!

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  14. I like the straight setting and would probably make it in blue and green colors like you did.

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  15. I like the straight setting with the sashing & the red/white/blue colors. Thanks.

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  16. i like the one where you used the Surf's Up/Northcott collection for a beachy feel. Would probably use the same colors you did. Love the versatility of your block.

    Pat K
    yfg3749@yahoo.com

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  17. I think I'd like to use this block to make a red, white and blue quilt, using your unusual sashing!

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  18. You are amazing! Such a unique sashing. I've always wanted to make a pink & green & tan/brown quilt so I think whirlybird would work good for that. I like the version with the print border - frames the whirlybirds nicely.

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  19. I like your last one the best. The red and blue looks great to me. Maybe it could be a Christmas quilt and be red and greens. Jmikebalou (at) aol (dot) com

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  20. Wonderful block. I like the bedsized variation best because it is not so busy. As for colors, jewel tones are always my favorites!

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  21. I like the yellow, red and green variation the best. I am really liking the combo of pink and gray. Maybe add a little black.

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  22. I like the surf's up with the blue pinwheels, but the yellow background one is very intriguing.

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  23. I think the four blocks with sashing would make a great quilt for a baby. I'm from Canada so, if possible, please enter me in the draw for the copy from Quiltmaker, who send internationally.

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    1. Great idea for a baby quilt! Yes, I'll enter you in the drawing for the Quiltmaker prize.

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  24. I like the purple, yellow, and green sashed version.

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  25. The very last version you showed is my favorite.

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  26. Cute block! Thanks for the sashing tutorial. I loved making whirlybirds as a kid - I'll have to see if I can remember how to make them. ;o)

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    1. You have to tell us if you succeed in making one! I don't even want to attempt it! LOL

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  27. I like the lighter blue pinwheel quilt. It shows the movement more than the others. The RWB moves also, but in a different way. The larger pinwheels turn.

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  28. I like the one on the bottom and I'd use purples!

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  29. My favorite setting is with the squares of a selected print. It's so cute!

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  30. The last version is my favorite. It's a gorgeous block

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  31. Interesting block and layouts. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  32. How clever is that sashing. I like the dark and lime green version.

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  33. I like your block as one could do so much with it. Would make a beautiful Christmas quilt in Greens and Reds.

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  34. I like the setting with the red & green on the yellow background. I would like to try it in royal blue and lime green on a pale grey background.

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  35. I like the last two setting you did. I am a red, white and blue fan and try to make a quilt every year for the 4th. lkcquilts@hotmail.com

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  36. I like the blue star one! Thank you for sharing! Enjoy your day! angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  37. I like your bed quilt with the "Washington Depot" collection--and I would do purples and greens.
    barbkaup(at)(yahoo)(dot)(com)

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  38. What a great block! I would use purple and blue. bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. The last one is my favorite--gotta love red white and blue--classic!!

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  40. I like the last version. I would probably use pink and orange fabrics.

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  41. The Washington Depot layout can almost pass for some sort of peppermint block. I love all colors but am loving most the cool colorway now so any block I make would have some green, blue, aqua in it.

    tushay3 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  42. I would probably use teals yellow and orange and set it on point.

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  43. Really like the setting and fabric in the Washington Depot Collection by Freespirit Fabrics. Your block is really cute, thanks for sharing!! odiane79atyahoo.com

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  44. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.netNovember 17, 2017 at 6:55 PM

    I really like that setting in the last picture and I would use the red, white, and blue as you pictured. It would be great as a QOV quilt. But I can see it in either blue or pink for a baby quilt with the same setting.

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  45. I like the Washington Depot Collection. Like the whirlybird block.
    nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

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  46. Pinwheel and Whirlybird blocks are always a favorite of mine! I really love the blue Whirlybird layout. so many options!

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  47. I agree that sashings can make a design, so your square in a square sashing block is my favorite. Thanks for sharing. kathy in colo repzjratplainsdotnet

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  48. Wow!! I love your block and all of the different variations of placement! Thankyou for showing many of the creative options! There are a few that I would like to try since I like pin wheels! I like the first option that you give and also the sashing, on point and the last one :) Sooooooo many options!! Thank you for showing them all!!

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  49. That is a great block and I love seeing all the variations. My favorite is the red, white and blue.

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  50. I like the setting where the sashing is so that none of the seams match any of the block seams/ in the yellow green and red color setting. Very Lovely!

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  51. I like the setting with the red triangles... thanks for the chance to win... drhodes9@cox.net

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  52. I like the setting with the border. I probably would use pastels and florals.

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  53. Congratulations on having your block included in Quiltmaker’s 100, Vol. 16! What a neat block that makes a beautiful quilt. My favorite is the last one, the red, white and blue version.

    usairdoll (at) gmail (dot) com

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  54. My nephew is a helicopter pilot, so this would be a good pattern for him. Because of that, I'd likely choose blues and browns and a setting that emphasizes the "whirly-ness" of the block.

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  55. I like your block, too. And i like that you like to make unusual sashings. i liked the purple and green combo.

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  56. I would go with a gray background and some bold color. love your block! ncc01760@gmail.com

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  57. Ooh, I like two: (1) the red (purple?) and green on the yellow background and (2) the patriotic red, white and blue.

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  58. I really like the RWB version .. would make a great QOV!
    Thanks! Stitch@gbta.net

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  59. I love the Christmas colors on yellow!!!It's amazing how the sashing changes everything!

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  60. I love it! I really do! I like the Christmas version, and the Patrotic version. The one on point is fun for a bigger quilt, I agree!
    reillyr2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  61. Great block. I liked the second to last version, block set on point, because the pink triangles dance down the row. Thanks.

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  62. I like the setting alternated with plain blocks. pjrquilter at msn dot com

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  63. I like your layout with alternating block best. I would use coral and a soft green. Congratulations on having your block included in the magazine.

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  64. This was so interesting! It's a bit beyond my skill level at the moment, but the idea of changing out the colors and shashing is something I need to study more. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  65. Love the sashing and the secondary designs.

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  66. Pink whirlybirds and love the square in a square sashing.
    k2sews@hotmail.com

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  67. Each of the layouts are so interesting. Not sure I could pick just one. I do like the last one a lot.
    kthurn(@)bektel(dot)com

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  68. I like the variety of options; but I especially like your sashing!

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  69. I'd use red,white,& blue as I do mostly donation quilts these days.
    I love the hidden sashing ones.

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