Maggie Ball
Kaleidoscopic Pinwheel Workshop
(technique inspired by Bethany Reynold's "Stack-n-Whack")

Basic sewing supplies
Sewing machine in good working order
Extension cord
Rotary cutter, mat and ruler
Square ruler - 8" or larger (Omnigrid 15" recommended)
Marking pencil - Berol silver, chalk or lead
Plastic template sheet - with 1/4" grid or plain
Fabric:

** Patterned fabric for stack and whack pinwheels. Choose fabric with a bold design and variety of colors. If in doubt, ask for help at a quilt store. Look at the size of the pattern and the frequency with which it is repeated (you can use pattern repeats across the width of the fabric as well as down the length). You will need to cut 8 identical 8" squares, so buy have enough fabric to get at least 8 pattern repeats. For most fabrics, 1 1/2 yards is plenty including a little extra for borders or binding. If you want to make a quilt with 16 blocks, allow for 2 X 8 pattern repeats (you could use two different sections of the fabric - only each batch of 8 needs to be identical).

**Background fabric, minimum of 1 1/4 yards for 8 blocks (bring more if you want to use it in borders, bindings or for more blocks). Choose fabric that will make your pinwheels stand out. Monochromatic prints work well or solid colors. Busy patterns will detract from the pinwheels.

Your finished block size will be approximately 10 1/2 inches. Since the pinwheels "float" on the background fabric, the blocks may be trimmed, and any inaccuracies in piecing can be squared off. This is a very forgiving technique and you will all succeed!

Any questions? Call Maaggie Ball - (206) 780-1437
or email: maggieball@bainbridge.net
Check out Maggie's website - www.dragonflyquilts.com