I’ve temporarily set aside my Farmer’s Wife quilt (don’t worry, it’s not forgotten!) to focus on a project that has me completely energized – my latest pinwheel quilt. I’m following Jenny’s pinwheel pattern, which usually calls for 5-inch squares from a charm pack, but I like to shake things up a bit. For this one, I started with 10-inch squares from a layer cake… except I skipped the pre-cuts this time and went straight for yardage in our school colors. I handpicked each fabric so it’s exactly the look I wanted.
If you’re not good at choosing colors for your quilts, have you considered looking at school colors? Every school has school colors and so many of them are just perfect. Even if you’re not associated with a school, there’s no reason you can’t make a quilt if you like their colors. I just love purple, yellow, and white together or red, black, and white. School colors always make stunning quilts!
Check out this huge collection of solids that work so well in a school spirit quilt! Find them here! So many colors!
Pinwheel quilts are such a joy to make. They are simple, classic, and cheerful. I love working in school colors. It just takes it to another level. I’m adding some solid squares between the pinwheels to give the design room to breathe and really let the colors pop. The balance of patterned pinwheels and bold solids makes the whole quilt feel crisp and fresh, like a school banner waving in the breeze.
The best part? This quilt will be perfect for fall sports season. Whether it’s draped across a lap in the bleachers during a Friday night football game, tossed in the back of the car for a tailgate, or wrapped around shoulders at a chilly fall baseball game, it’s pure school spirit that can be snuggled in.
I totally forgot to get a picture of the finished quilt before I donated it. Hopefully, I’ll see it again someday and can share a pic but in the meantime, if you’d like to try this pattern yourself, Jenny’s tutorial is a great place to start. Just be warned—once you make one pinwheel quilt, it’s hard to stop at just one.
So, what are your school colors? If you’re not affiliated with a school anymore, consider making one for a nearby school fundraiser. You’ll have fun and help your community all at the same time!
‘Til next time! Happy sewing!
Beth
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