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How to Turn an Origami Pinwheel Quilt Block into a Stunning Cushion Cover


Floral patchwork pillow on beige armchair, green leafy plant in background. Vibrant patterns with white, yellow, and orange flowers. Cozy setting.

If you love quilting techniques that add texture and dimension, the Origami Pinwheel block is a must-try! This clever design uses folded fabric to create a beautiful 3D effect, making it perfect for statement pieces like cushion covers. Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just starting out, this project is a fantastic way to add depth and movement to your home décor.


In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps to transform a single Origami Pinwheel block into a stunning cushion cover. You’ll learn how to construct the block as well as sewing up the cushion. The finished size of the cushion is 14", if you are just sewing the blocks, the finished size of one block is 7.5".


This project is perfect for using fat quarters. I’ve chosen two coordinating fat quarters for the front design, while the back is made from a single fat quarter as well. If you want to use up fabric from your stash, this cushion is a great project for mixing and matching different prints too! Instead of using just two fat quarters for the front, you can piece each section of the Origami Pinwheel from a variety of fabrics. This adds even more depth and interest to the design and uses up some of those smaller pieces of fabric.


Fabrics I've used -

Cinnamon Spice - Clementine Floral

Cinnamon Spice - Floral Shadow

Cinnamon Spice - Spiced Tea


 

What you'll need:

3 fat quarters of fabric - two for the front and one for the back

14" cushion pad

Pins or quilting clips


1/4" seam allowance is used for this project unless otherwise stated.


Let's get started!


For the cushion from you will need to cut 32 squares of fabric measuring 4". If you are using two fabrics, this would be 16 of each design.

Two stacks of fabric squares on a white background. Left stack has a colorful floral pattern; right stack is light with white floral designs.













  1. Chose which fabric will be the pinwheel and which will be the background for your first block. Fold the pin wheel fabric in half diagonally with wrong sides together and press.

    Four triangular fabric pieces with floral and citrus patterns on a white background, featuring yellow, orange, and green colors.

  2. Place a folded square over the background square so that the raw edges are lined up. The diagonal fold should along the centre line from one corner to the opposite corner.

    Triangular fabric quilt piece: one side with pale floral pattern, other with sunflowers and citrus on dark green. Set against white background.

  3. Fold the top right corner of the pinwheel fabric down to the bottom corner and pin or clip in place.

    Fabric square with floral patterns; one half is light with white flowers, the other dark with orange fruits and yellow sunflowers.

  4. Sew the pinwheel fabric in place inside of the seam allowance to keep it in place.

    Square fabric with floral patterns; one side is light with white flowers, the other has sunflowers and oranges. Bright, minimal background.

  5. Repeat these steps with the remaining squares. Arrange the squares as shown in the picture below.

    Four floral fabric squares with cut and folded corners form an abstract pattern. Background is pale green with white floral designs.

  6. Sew the top two squares together using 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seams open.

    Sew the bottom two squares together in the same way, pressing the seams open.

    Two quilt blocks on a white surface, featuring floral patterns. The top block has autumn leaves and the bottom has sunflowers.

  7. Sew the two rows together and press the seam open. The centre will be quite bulky so take time to press as flat as possible.

    Colorful origami paper with floral patterns and oranges on a pale floral background, forming a pinwheel shape.

  8. Repeat with the remaining squares. I've alternated the pinwheel and background fabric.

    Four quilt blocks with floral patterns in orange, yellow, and white on a floral green background, arranged on a white surface.

  9. Sew the four blocks together, pressing the seams open.

    Patchwork quilt block on white background featuring floral patterns with sunflowers and daisies, in green, yellow, and orange hues.

  10. To make the back of the cushion, cut two pieces of fabric measuring 14.5 x 10".

    Hem one of the long edges of each piece of fabric by folding over twice, pressing and sewing in place.

    Green fabric with teapots, oranges, mugs, and cinnamon stick patterns. Two pieces are placed diagonally on a white background.

  11. Place the two back fabric right sides together over the front, lining up the raw edges. The hemmed edges should overlap over the centre of the cushion. Pin in place.

    fabrics pinned right sides together. Set against a plain white background.

  12. Sew around all 4 sides using 1/4" seam allowance. Snip off the corners inside of the seam allowance and turn the cushion the right side out.

    A quilted square with floral patterns in orange, yellow, and green on a white background. Features pinwheel and curved designs.

    Now you can insert the cushion pad and your origami pinwheel cushion is finished!

    Patchwork pillow with floral and geometric patterns, featuring yellow, orange, and green colors, on a light background.


    Alternative Version


    I used this technique but with 5" squares (charm pack size), resulting in a finished cushion size of 18". To give it a different look, I added an extra pinwheel in the centre. I also opted for all white-tone fabrics, creating a softer, more subtle effect.

    A beige patchwork pillow with geometric patterns sits on a light gray armchair next to a lush green plant, creating a cozy scene.

    Here is when to add the extra pinwheels to the project -

    Quilt of geometric patterns, soft pastel colors, and small stars on a white background. Textures vary across nine fabric squares.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to give the Origami Pinwheel block a try! Whether you stick to a coordinated colour palette or dive into your fabric stash for a scrappy look, the 3D texture and intricate design are sure to make a statement in any space. Don’t forget to share your creations—I’d love to see how you bring your own style to this project!


Happy sewing! 💕




You are welcome to sell items you make using my tutorials, but I kindly ask that you do not resell the patterns or projects themselves. Thank you!

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