Windmills and Pinwheels Quilt Block Challenge: Week 1

: Windmills and Pinwheels - Block 1

It’s time for our first block of the National Quilters Circle Quilt Block Challenge: Windmills and Pinwheels. Are you ready? We are! 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!


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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.

87 Responses to “Windmills and Pinwheels Quilt Block Challenge: Week 1”

  1. Barbara Broussard

    make this site easier for older sewers to operate

  2. Barbara Broussard

    barbarabroussard@gmail.com

  3. Carol

    Already signed up, but wont let me in to get the blocks.

  4. Susan Walters

    I have signed up and have not received an email letting me know the next block is available. I did find the link to the website but week 8 will not let me click on it for the final? Please get back to me. Thank you, Sue

  5. Maggie Thomas

    Have the instructions for week 8 been released yet?

  6. Cindy

    Is there a drawing of the quilt to use to play with color variations?

  7. Karen Efterfield

    I would like to know when week seven will be online? Thank you, Karen Efterfield

  8. Janet Sutermaster

    I have a 9" cube. What size will my quilt be when finished?

  9. Valerie Reed

    I need instructions for how to join each block week to week

  10. april froude

    Wondering how I will get my week 7 and 8 as I will be on holidays until the 25 of August and will have no internet service.