Robert Kaufman Pinwheel Stars - Downloadable PDF

Robert Kaufman Pinwheel Stars Quilt Pattern by Darlene Zimmerman – Free Downloadable PDF

The Pinwheel Stars pattern, designed by Darlene Zimmerman and published by Robert Kaufman, is a free downloadable PDF pattern for quilters who love classic, visually dynamic patchwork. Part of the Just Kisses collection and featuring Robert Kaufman's Feed Sack Lady fabric line, this intermediate-level quilt pattern produces a finished throw measuring 47" x 60" — a versatile size perfect as a lap quilt, couch throw, or decorative blanket.

What Is Being Made

This pattern instructs quilters in constructing a Pinwheel Stars quilt, a traditional patchwork design that combines spinning pinwheel blocks with star-point geometry. The result is a lively, energetic surface pattern with strong visual movement. At 47 inches by 60 inches, the finished quilt is ideally sized for everyday use as a blanket or throw. The design is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to quilters who are comfortable with basic patchwork but ready to work with specialty rulers and more complex block assembly.

Fabrics and Materials Required

The pattern calls for two primary Robert Kaufman fabrics, both from the same coordinating collection:

• Fabric A – K001-1387 (WHITE SPLASH): 2-1/3 yards — used extensively throughout the quilt blocks and construction
• Fabric B – K001-1789 (SPLASH): 1-1/2 yards — also serves double duty as the binding fabric
• Binding – K001-1789: an additional 1/2 yard (the same fabric as Fabric B)
• Backing fabric: 3-1/8 yards

All fabric amounts are based on a width of fabric (WOF) of at least 42 inches. Quilters should pre-wash and press fabrics before cutting for best results.

Specialty Tools and Rulers

A distinguishing feature of this pattern is its use of EZ Quilting specialty rulers, which streamline the cutting of complex triangle shapes and help ensure accuracy:

• Easy Angle – EZ Quilting #8823759A: Used to cut half-square triangles efficiently from strips without pre-cutting squares and then cutting diagonally
• Tri-Recs – EZ Quilting #8823753A: A two-ruler set used to cut the Tri triangles and Recs (rectangle) triangles that form the distinctive star points in the block centers
• Companion Angle – EZ Quilting #882670139A: Used to cut quarter-square triangles from strips for additional block components

For quilters who do not own these specialty rulers, the pattern provides alternative cutting instructions. Without the Easy Angle, quilters can cut 2-3/8" squares and cut once on the diagonal. Without the Companion Angle, quilters can cut 4-3/4" squares and cut twice on the diagonal to achieve the same triangle shapes.

Cutting Techniques

The cutting instructions are detailed and organized by fabric. Precision in cutting is essential to achieving the crisp, geometric look of the Pinwheel Stars design. Key cuts include:

• From Fabric A: twelve 3-1/2" x WOF strips, subcut into forty-eight 3-1/2" squares, forty-eight Tri triangles, and forty-eight additional 3-1/2" squares; four 2-3/4" x WOF strips subcut into forty-two Companion Angle triangles; thirteen 2" x WOF strips subcut into 376 Easy Angle triangles
• From Fabric B: three 3-1/2" x WOF strips subcut into forty-eight pairs of Recs triangles; five 2-1/2" x WOF strips sewn end-to-end for the outer border; thirteen 2" x WOF strips subcut into 376 Easy Angle triangles