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| Garden Whirl Quilt Block |
Looking for a project that will bring a summer breeze and the colors of a blooming flowerbed? Then you can't do much better than the Garden Whirl Quilt Block.
This block, beautifully designed by CATS AND QUILTS, Kanitta, is a perfect example of how simple geometric shapes can combine for a dynamic, 'spinning' effect. This pattern will make an enjoyable and satisfying quilt for the expert and the novice quilter alike, who wants to practice and perfect the Half-Square Triangle (HST) technique.
It's pretty clear why we love the Garden Whirl, isn't it?
The Garden Whirl is more than just a pinwheel variation. It is structured in a sophisticated way and seems complicated, but is easy to put together. The ideal material to “fussy cut” your favorite floral patterns or to use up all those scraps and make them look like a scrappy cottage core look.
Knowing what to look for in a pattern and gathering key information.
This is some of the most important information to have before heading to your cutting table inspired by Kanitta's excellent tutorial:
- Finished Block Size: The tutorial will give you an unfinished block (12.5” x 12.5”) that will be 12” finished in a quilt. A really great "standard" sized piece to easily mix and match or to make a large quilt fast.
- The "Quadrant" Method: The great advantage of this design is that it is made from four identical pieces. When you have grasped the assembly of one corner, then you just repeat three times, rotating the corners to get the "whirl.
- Technique Focus: There is a strong use of Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) in this block. If you like to create HSTs, you will quickly breeze through this project. Kanitta's technique guarantees sharp points and a clean center.
Fabric Requirements (Summarized):
To achieve the classic Garden Whirl look, you’ll generally need:
- Background Fabric: Light or neutral colour fabric to make the "blossoms" pop.
- Main "Petal" Fabric: A bright hue for the main spinning fabric.
- Accent Fabric: A secondary color to add depth to the center of the whirl.
The following points can help you create a perfect garden whirl:
Reviewing this tutorial, here are a few “pro-quilter” tips to get the perfect block:
- Starch is Your Friend: This block requires a few diagonal seams, which means your fabric may stretch easily. To keep those bias edges stable, just a little spray starch before cutting should help.
- If the original tutorial is stunning in its unified color scheme, don't back down from wearing crazy colors! Each “petal” can be different fabric for a wildflower garden appearance.
- Check Your Seams: A lot of seams come together in the center, so there is need to keep the seam allowance consistent, which is 1/4", to make sure that “whirl” is in the center without any bulky lumps.
Final Thoughts
The Garden Whirl block reminds me of the fun we get from quilting—simple squares and triangles and a block that looks like it's moving!
