Windmills and Pinwheels Quilt Block Challenge: Week 5-6

How has the National Quilters Circle Quilt Block Challenge: Windmills and Pinwheels, been going for you so far? We love seeing all the beautiful blocks you’ve created! This week, we are providing the next two weeks of instructions: block five and the center/small quilt finishing instructions. The center instructions below will teach you how to make both the center of the large quilt, and how to finish the smaller quilt. Over the course of eight weeks we will be making the Windmills and Pinwheels pattern designed by Toby Lischko of Gateway Quilts and Stuff.

The Windmills and Pinwheels quilt is a fun blend of pieced points and curved applique. Made in a medallion style, you can either piece or applique a large center block and then build upon the center as you work your way through this eight- week challenge. For several of the blocks you will be given the choice of patterns- one a pieced block designed by Toby and one a slightly different pieced version designed by Ashley that incorporates applique. The applique design inspiration came from one of the main print fabrics, which features flowers. While we have provided applique templates for you to create the same designs, feel free to play around and create your own- we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Looking for the fabric requirements? Find them here!

The finished quilt size for the large option is 86” x 86” and the small option is 58” x 58” Click the button below to download a PDF with instructions for your first block, or the center applique pattern to build around. And make sure to share your progress in the Quilt Block Challenge Facebook Group – we can’t wait to see everyone’s work!


If you haven’t signed up for the Quilt Block Challenge, there’s still time! You can sign up here to make sure you get the block assignments delivered to your inbox each week.

Find the other challenge materials here:
Fabric Requirements
Windmills and Pinwheels Week 1
Windmills and Pinwheels Week 2
Windmills and Pinwheels Week 3
Windmills and Pinwheels Week 4
Windmills and Pinwheels Week 5-6
Windmills and Pinwheels Week 7
Windmills and Pinwheels Week 8

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

38 Responses to “Windmills and Pinwheels Quilt Block Challenge: Week 5-6”

  1. Elizabeth Haskins

    On Block 6, I am using the Accuquilt cutter but the parallelograms are not the right size or I am doing something very wrong. I went back and used the directions for just cutting the pieces and the 2 and 1/2 by 4 and 1/2 parallelogram is much wider then the accuquilt one. Please advise, I love working on this quilt and want to get it right, thanks

  2. Elizabeth Haskins

    On Windmills and PInwheels, I used Accuquilt and it says to put the Parrellogram wrong side up . When you do, it is facing the wrong way comparing it to the diagram on the instruction page . please advise what I am doing wrong

  3. Judy walburn

    I cannot find instructions for block 6

  4. Rose Moyle

    Hi I can't seem to access the finishing instructions - how do I get them please?

  5. Carol

    Can't get finishing instructions please help

  6. Deborah Smith

    Where is block 6? Where is block 6?

  7. Cynthia Xanos

    Block 7 opens up as Block 6. Are the Block numbers mixed up?

  8. Terri J Miles

    It'd be great to get this in my e-mail...I keep forgetting to get it on mondays.

  9. Madeline

    Quilting is my favorite. Always looking for something new.

  10. Madeline

    Can’t wait to begin.