Cool Dark Fabric 1/4 yard -- (half square triangles, blue print in the example)
(2) 3-7/8" x 42" strips, cut into (16) 3-7/8" squares

Warm Light Fabric 3/8 yard -- (half square triangles, block & sashing centers, gold)
(2) 3-7/8" x 42" strips, cut into (16) 3-7/8" squares
(1) 2" x 20" strip, cut into (9) 2" squares
(1) 2" x 35" strip

Light Fabric 1/2 yard -- (half square triangles, off white)
(4) 3-7/8" x 42" strips, then cut away (32) 3-7/8" squares

Warm Medium Fabric 5/8 yard -- (sashing, violet)
(2) 6-1/2" x 35" strips
(1) 6 1/2" x 18" strip, cut into (8) 2" x 6-1/2" bars
(alternative: cut a portion of the bars from the leftover ends of the 6-1/2" x 35" strips)

2. Pair a light square with the same size dark square, edges matched and right sides together. Attach the squares by sewing two seams, each one 1/4" from the marked line. If you don't have a 1/4" presser foot, draw the seam lines before beginning.

4. Place the cut units on your ironing board, dark triangle up. Press a medium hot iron directly onto the units, "setting" the seam just as it was sewn. Now open up a unit and carefully move the iron into the diagonal that separates the dark half from the light half. Always press using an up and down motion. See Pressing Basics

You now have two identical half square triangle units. In other words, two units where a triangle occupies exactly one half of the block. The straight grain of each triangle lies along its outer edges.

5. Use rotary cutting equipment to trim away the seam allowance nubs, and to make sure each unit measures exactly 3-1/2" square. If units are too small, make sure pressing was adequate. If pressing doesn't correct the problem, try sewing the next unit together with seams that are just slightly less than 1/4".

6. Pair the remaining dark squares with light squares to make a total of sixteen half square triangle units, then do the same with the warm-light/light squares.

Did You Know

The sandwiched squares go together quickly when you chain piece.

Assemble Pinwheel Units in Pairs

1. Arrange two cool-dark/light triangle units and two warm-light/light triangle units into a pinwheel block. Arrange the same combination of units to form a mirror image pinwheel block.

2. Sew the squares in each block into two horizontal rows. Sew the rows in each block together after pressing adjoining seam allowances in opposite directions. Each block should measure 6-1/2" square.

3. Sew a 2" x 6-1/2" bar vertically between the blocks. Press seam allowances towards the bars.

4. Make seven more identical units.

Make the Strip Pieced Sashing

1. Sew the 2" x 31" warm-light strip to the wide warm-medium strip of the same length. Sew the other wide strip to the light strip's opposite side. Press seams towards the wider strips. Square up one end of the strip set, and cut sixteen 2" segments from it.

Complete the Blocks

1. Arrange two pinwheel/sashing units as shown below, placing a strip pieced sashing unit between them. Sew rows together. Press seam allowances toward the strip pieced sashing unit. Repeat to combine the three remaining blocks.

2. Arrange the blocks in two rows. Place remaining strip pieced sashing units and 2" warm-light squares between blocks and on the outside of the quilt as shown.

Assemble the Quilt

3. Sew the components together in 5 horizontal rows. Press seam allowances towards the pieced sashing. Join the rows, matching seam intersections carefully. Press seam allowances towards the pieced sashing to complete the quilt top.

Enlarge the blank cartoon below to help you devise a color scheme.