Stash Buster Quilts. Lynne Edwards

vertically. The four layers are now cut into eight triangles (Fig 5).

       Fig 4

       Fig 5

      5 Repeat this with the squares of fabric numbered 5–8, with fabric 5 at the top and 8 at the bottom of the pile. Carefully place the first set of cut squares on top of the new set so that the order of fabrics goes in sequence from 1 at the top to 8 on the bottom.

      The wedges of fabric will be used one at a time to make a block from each. This may take longer than planned (life gets in the way sometimes), so keep the cut layer-cake of fabrics in a tray or box so they stay in their neat wedges ready for use.

      Arranging the pieces

      6 Pick up the pile of triangles marked A in Fig 6. Arrange them in a cut square, starting with the top fabric 1 in position A and working round clockwise to finish with fabric 8 (Fig 7).

       Fig 6

       Fig 7

      7 Turn pieces 1, 3, 5 and 7 to make the arrangement shown in Fig 8.

       Fig 8

      Making the block

      8 From each of the two background fabrics cut four squares measuring 9in × 9in (22.7cm × 22.7cm) and thirty-two strips measuring 2in × 6¼in (5cm × 15.8cm). Cut each fabric square into eight pieces like the pinwheel fabrics in Fig 5.

      9 Now take the pinwheel triangle numbered 2 in Fig 8 and place the triangle on a cut strip of background fabric with right sides facing as in Fig 9. The square corner of the triangle should match the top corner of the strip. Pin and stitch the triangle to the strip with the usual ¼in (6mm) seam allowance (Fig 10). Press the triangle out from the strip, ironing from the front of the work (Fig 11). Press the seam towards the triangle.

       Fig 9

       Fig 10

       Fig 11

       Each triangle should always be placed in the same position as in Fig 9. Don't try to remember – check with the diagram!

      Trimming the triangles

      10 Use a rotary cutter and ruler to trim the strip to match the edge of the triangle. Place a square ruler on to the fabric, matching the fabric edges of the triangle with the edges of the ruler (Fig 12). Trim off the overhanging strip of background fabric along the edge of the ruler to make a pieced triangle, as shown in Fig 13.

       Fig 12

       Fig 13

      11 Place the pieced triangle back in the block (Fig 14). Repeat this process with triangles 4, 6 and 8. Place them back in the design (Fig 15).

       Fig 14

       Fig 15

      12 Take triangle 1 from the design. Arrange it with a triangle of background fabric as in Fig 16, with the square corners positioned as shown. Pin and stitch the two triangles together. Press the seam towards triangle 1, ironing from the front of the work (Fig 17).

       Fig 16

       Fig 17

      Always place the triangle of background fabric on the right-hand side, because if you switch the triangles over they will not fit into the pinwheel design.

      13 Place the joined triangles back in the block (Fig 18). Repeat this process with triangles 3, 5 and 7. Place them back in the design (Fig 19).

       Fig 18

       Fig 19

      14 Take pieces 1 and 2. These need to be joined together along the diagonal seams (Fig 20). Pin and stitch the two pieces together, taking care not to stretch the bias edges of the fabric as you stitch. Press the seam towards piece 1. Repeat this to join pieces 3 and 4, then pieces 5 and 6 and then 7 and 8.

       Fig 20

      15 Trim the squares, if necessary, to exactly 5½in × 5½in (13.8cm × 13.8cm) and arrange them back into the Pinwheel block as in Fig 19.

      Trimming the squares at this stage is really helpful as they will fit together more easily into the final block. Use a square ruler and match the diagonal line on the ruler with the diagonal seam on the fabric square when you trim.

      Joining the block

      16 Pin and stitch the top two squares together, matching seams carefully. Press the seam to the left, ironing from the front (Fig 21).

       Fig 21

      17 Pin and stitch the bottom two squares together. Press the seam to the right (Fig 22). Finally, join the two halves together, matching the centre seams carefully. Press the final long seam to one side. The remaining blocks can be arranged as block 1, or varied as described in the panel, right.

       Fig 22

      Making the second set of blocks

      Repeat the block-making process to make another eight blocks, using the second set of