Use two coordinating or contrasting fabrics to make a fabric pinwheel.
Pinwheels are still loved by children today as much as ever. Many of us still remember holding them to the wind or blowing with all of our might just to watch them spin. Toy pinwheels are often made from paper or plastic, but fabric pinwheels are a refreshing change. They are just as much fun and a lot more decorative than the old-fashioned toy pinwheels. The size of the pinwheels can easily be customized to suit your preference, and these fabric pinwheels can even be used as wall art.
Instructions
1. Cut the card stock, poster board or thin cardboard into a square. Choose the paper product you prefer, but remember that the paper or cardboard will be folded.
2. Cut two squares of cotton fabric 1/4 to 1/2 inch larger than the card stock or poster board. Choose fabrics with coordinating solid colors or prints since both fabrics will be side by side when the pinwheel is completed.
3. Spray one side of the thick paper or cardboard with the adhesive, allowing time for the adhesive to set according to the directions on the label. Attach a fabric square right-side up on the adhesive. Repeat this on the other side of the cardboard with the adhesive and with the other fabric square right-side up.
4. Trim any crooked edges on the fabric with the rotary cutter on the mat or with a very sharp pair of scissors. It can be difficult to attach the fabric perfectly straight on the cardboard and the extra 1/4 to 1/2 inch of fabric allows for possible error.
5. Lay the ruler on the square from corner to corner through the center of the square. Measure and mark the center of the square. Draw a chalk line on the fabric from corner to corner. Repeat this on the next two opposing corners. You now have an "X" drawn on the fabric.
6. Cut out the fabric with very sharp scissors (or use the rotary cutter on the cutting mat) following the chalk lines toward the center. Don't cut all the way to the center. This is important because the center holds the entire pinwheel together. For small pinwheels (6 to 8 inches) leave at least 1 inch in the center uncut. If you are making pinwheels that are 12 inches or larger to be used as wall art, leave 2 to 3 inches uncut in the center.
7. Lay the square in front of you with the X facing you. (You have now triangles in the fabric that were created when you cut along the chalk lines.) Working with the bottom triangle in the X, pick up the left corner of the triangle and fold just the left tip to the center. Rotate the square and repeat this step with the other three triangles. Prefolding the pinwheel helps when it's time to apply the glue and also allows for adjustments if you should make an error.
8. Place a drop of hot glue in the center of the square using a low-temperature glue gun. Fold each triangle tip just as you did in Step 7, but this time place the tips securely in the glue.
9. Place another drop of glue in the center of the pinwheel and add a button (or other decorative embellishment) to give a tidier appearance where the tips were glued down. Alternatively, cut a small circle of fabric and glue that in the center.
10. Turn the pinwheel over and place another drop of glue in the center. Lay the wooden skewer in the hot glue. Only attach the skewer if you want a handle on your pinwheel. If your pinwheel will be used as wall art, attach the self-adhering hook and loop tape instead, following the manufacturer's directions. One part of the hook and loop tape will attach to the pinwheel and the other will go on the wall, allowing you to hang up, and easily remove, the pinwheel.
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