As I thought about creating my block for 100 Blocks Volume 4, I wanted one that would play well in a variety of settings. I was looking at asymmetrical options and realized that I could divide the 12″ block into progressively smaller segments of 4-1/2″, 3-1/2″, 2-1/2″ and 1-1/2″:
I decided to put Pinwheels in the diagonal spaces and knew this could help create some dimensional effects as the Pinwheels progressively change sizes:
I found a big dot fabric from Robert Kaufman’s Flower Shop line that I wanted to use in the large rectangles and that set my color direction:
Using red and white Pinwheels and a red and white print from Flower Shop, this was my first block:
I liked the big dots in the large spaces and the small dots in the spaces . But the red and white flower print wasn’t working at this point because it obscured the Pinwheels near it–not enough contrast. So I took the red and white print out and started auditioning other fabrics into those spaces on the design wall. I tried the yellow and white print:
There was enough contrast now with the Pinwheels, but it was too much yellow for me. I tried several black and white prints:
None of these were quite working for me yet, so I tried some prints with red in them:
Still not right, there was too much red again obscuring the Pinwheels. Next I tried a stripe:
Now that had possibilities. There was red, white and black, but not so much that any one color was overpowering. At this point I had just been laying the Pinwheels and other fabrics on top of the fabric I was auditioning. Now I just had to decide which direction I wanted the stripes to run and the block was finished:
And that’s the auditioning journey my block Pinwheel Pizzazz took me on. Now for a few setting ideas:
Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 1
Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 2
Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 3
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of setting possibilities as you rearrange blocks.
Giveaway: Leave a comment (be sure to include some words with the letter “z”) by 12 noon MST on Tuesday 11/8 for a chance to win a copy of 100 Blocks Volume 4.
Winner: Your anzwers have made me zilly! Sandra Visser #40 was the randomly selected winner. Plus I loved the poem from Amanda #177, so she gets a magazine too. Thankz for playing everyone!
Zat’s zee bezt block I’ve zeen zo far. How’z zat?
I like the Pinwheel Pizzazz ZLOT….. and that is not a typo…
Dazzling, sizzling, kaleodoscopic ideas to make one make it today.
Wow, totally taken with your design approach, love the visual distancing. And my fav is your Pizzazz#2 Zzzzz! Hotz cowzz, I’m now craving pizza! ;D pickenzeMePlez
Razzle, dazzle, jazzy is the best I can come up with to describe number two setting which is really chez chic. Enjoyed the process and was surprised at the difference the background fabric makes.
I like the way it “bursts” out of the corner. Color does make a difference.
That block with all the different sized pinwheels looks really jazzy. There are probably a zillion fabric combinations that would be great for that block! Thanks for the blog tour, it will create a lot of buzz for this magazine!
Zuper (super) block! Great idea and I know an easy way to make 1.5″ pinwheels so I could actually make this block.
Wowza! No zzzzzz’s here…zat’s a zippy block!
You won’t get any zzzzzzz’s when you start this block and are reading the 100 blocks Volume 4! I follow Denise Russert everyday and love the dog’z. I named the dog Charlie!! I would love to winzzzzzzz a copy!
Lots of pizzazz in that pinwheel block. Zippy and cute. THanks for the opportunity to win.
Great block. The off-center division of the block has many pozzibilities.
Wowzers! I’ve always been partial to pinwheel blocks, but Pinwheel Pizzazz is truly fabulous!
Love your block! It sure wins the PRIZE for ZIP, ZEST and is ZUPREME! I really enjoyed the previous issues of 100 blocks, and this one looks just as inspiring
I love a simple block that creates so many interesting settings. And thanks for the “process” post, it’s always interesting to see what goes into designing a block or quilt. “100 Blocks” issues always has “ex-zilarating” ideas for future projects! (o.k. It’s a stretch I know but all the better “z” words are already taken!)
I really liked to see the design journey from 12″ square to wowza block! And seeing the dezigns that are possible with this block is so important for a vizual person, like me! Thanks for the chance to win the magazine and the chance to make a Pinwheel Pizzaz quilt!!
That IS a sharp lil block with snap!!!!
Wowzer, zats a jazzy,snazzy block!!
I like Pinwheel Pizzazz #2. I like how it flowzzzz.
I luvz that new block. Sew many pozzabilities!
I love those layouts. They’re just zany!
I’m a big fan of pinwheel patterns and yours is just superb! Can’t wait to see the entire issue. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love all of your idea-z! Thanks for a chance to win!
Zats a lotza pinzwheelz! (now I can’t stop thinking about pizza because of the z’s) Have a great Monday!
Razzle Dazzle – thats how I felt when I saw this dezign. thanks!
Pinwheel Pizzazz has just the right amount of razzmatazz. Great jazzy block!
It was so amazing to see your dazzling creative process. Pinwheel Pizazz is snazzy!
WOWZA !!! I am not usually a pinwheel fan, but this pattern in redz and blackz is just fantaztic. I would love a free book, but one way or another I definately need this pattern.
I like setting 2. Neat design.
Such a zazzy block. Just love your Pinwheel Pizzazz. So many setting ideas for this pizzazz block, indeed. I would love to win a copy of Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Volume 4 for myself. So many talented designers with so many ideas and blocks to make.
Thank you and happy holidays.
Sandi from Sonora, CA
I so enjoyed watching the design process. I do that same thing for auditioning sashing fabrics and border fabrics, but you take it to the lollapalooza status with all the different potential layouts provided too! Love the block!
Amazing process! The block reminds me of those little peppermint candies that really zing your tongue when you suck on them. I would probably be in a daze trying to get the size of that tiniest pinwheel just right – do your instructions call for foundation paper piecing? I hope I win a copy of this issue but if not I’ll have to zip to the store to buy one.
Zowie Wowzerz! Yez, that block has loadz of Pizzzazz! I lovezz it!
Thankz for a chance to winzzz this magazzzine. Thezzze magazzzinez are a treazzzure trove of inspriration for thozzze of uzzz who do lotzz of swapzzz and beezz.
What a Jazzy block! I love the colorz! I would love to win!
Zippity do dah! Your block has alot of energy! I enjoyed following the steps of your design process and it helps us learn to add some zip to our projects too.
I am just loving this design. You are so very clever!!
I LOVE red, black and white quilts! I really like Setting #2 – it’s snazzy!
I love it when a block lets you play with design!
Some of those fabric combinations were quite zany! The block haz unlimited pozzibilities for creativity. I love it! Thanks for the chance to win!
Your pinwheel block definately have a lot of pizzazz. It has lots of style and is zesty.
Zippity Do Dah! That’s a zingy zangy block. Love the settings…can just imagine zig-zagging through my stash to make this.
No zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs here! That is a snazzy block! Love it!
I am so jazzed by your Pinwheel Pizzazz!
I’ll have to try that layout, so thanks!
I love your block pattern. I have done the size changing thing, but always from the center out; I like the step idea a lot.
From your layout I can see why you wanted red for the “problem” spot; however, I really liked the one where you auditioned the medium size black and white dots.
Zowie! I adore pinwheel blocks and yours is the zowiest!!! Can’t wait to try it!
Wowzza. That is so cool. I love the different layouts all from the same block. Real snazzy.
I Love pinwheels and this blog written about your sazzy block will not help me with getting any zzzzzzzz because I will be up all night thinking about how I can use it!!!
Happy quilting!
I really like the 2nd setting. It is zippy and zingy and the hidden patterns just daze and dazzle one!
Every quilt needs a zinger . This block is perfect for a zinger fabric.
I like Pinwheel PiZZaZZsetting 2 the best. Zippy! Zany! SnaZZy! Thanks for your contribution and for the opportunity to win a copy of the magazine!
I just love how you zig zagged through the color and fabric choices! Your zeal for perfection is inspiring!
Love it! The setting opportunities are great! Super seeing you last week at market!
Just had to say I appreciate your dedication to trying out different designs and fabrics. This was a teaching/learning moment for me! And zat’s the truth!
Zip, Zam, Zowie and Swoosh an old cartoon used to say. Those words came to my mind when thinking of Z’s. The other ZZZ’s are the ones for sleeping, no sleeping on this blog tour…
Great block–it has a lot of zip! Loved reading about your process in designing your jazzy block, pinwheel pizzazz!
I love your pinwheel – very zippy!
I love reading about the design process. Are all those trial blocks going in a top, or are you donating them to charity, or ???
Pinwheel Pizzazz iz juzt jazzy. Would love to make it!
Fantaztic block! I really like layout 2, it pulls your eye into the center zone!
What a great block! Love the versatility of rotating it so that the pinwheels Zoom off in different directions or Zip together to form yet a different look.
ZZZZowie, zat is really a pizzazzie pattern. Thanks
Wow, I liked the way you auditioned your fabrics1!! Good Choice!!
What a jazzy block – when we make it we will zip right along. Thanks!
I lovez zis block! Can’t wait to get my handz on ze magz and makez one!
RE: susan, I didn’t make all those blocks. I made one block, ripped out the red and white print, and then laid the block parts I was keeping on top of the fabric I was auditioning. At the end I sewed the stripe back into the block. Lots of auditioning–taking pictures of each one first to keep track of them, second to use on this post–before I made the final selection.
What a cool block! I love reading about the process of putting it together. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the mag!
Zis iz zee best block for variety of settings! Love it! Definitely on my to-do list!
Zis block is a zinger! Love it – I do love pinwheels. I loved that you talked about your process of choosing material – I always think I must have everything decided before I even begin so zis is a wonderful new approach. To top it off, you showed us all the different arrangements – my favorite is #1 though #3 is zo dang close.
It was really interesting to read about your thought process as you decided which fabrics to use while designing your Pinwheel Pizzazz block. I usually use the trial and error method, so it is interesting to me to see how other people make their decisions!
jazzy snazzy! Love seeing the process as well as the finished product -this one has lots of possibilities. My mind is already ZOOMING with scrappy variations! Can’t wait to get my hands on this issue!
This is one zesty block! It is zippy and definitely lively! It certainly will not give you any zzz.
The red adds the Zip to the block. Amazing ways to zip the block together Would love to have a copy zip its way to me.
Wowzers! Those pinwheel settings are the zany – zipping all over the place – I love the pizzazz and can’t wait to try something like this myself!
What a great idea–using the idea of visual perspective in distancing the pinwheels! And, the ideas about setting the blocks are great, too. Interesting to follow your thinking as you developed this block. Would love to win the magazine!
Zat block iz Pizazziful.
Zath iZ a WONDERFULZ block, what a Zeautiful QuiltZ it will make
Your block has a lot of pop and sizzle to it. Thanks for a great design.
Loved seeing the design process. It was very helpful. My favorite one was Pinwheel Pizzazz Setting 2.
Love the combination and red and black are my favorite combination, What Pizzazz!
Buzzzy razzzle dazzle! I love it!
These Pinwheel Pizazz blocks are great. Pinwheel Pizzazz Setting 2 is amazing. You keep creating all those jazzy settings with those pinwheelz and you’re going to start a whole new craze.
Thiz iz zo cute.Love the way it can be mixed up to form a different look. Thankz for zharing.
Zowey! Love the block – also has the possibility of making you dizzy! thanks for the chance to win.
What a zinging, zazzy block. Looks like a great issue!
Zowza! Thatz snazzy!
Zounds! Pinwheel Pizzazz is a cool block. One could make a very cozy quilt using your block design.
The bezzzt is my name I guezz : Zwerver
I love all the options this amazing block givez me!! I also like the colorz you choze.
I love pinwheels and polka dots so what a great block. I think Zebra stripes would be good. It would be busy and no one could get any zzzzs.
Zhat is the zippiest zooking block I have zeen….zip zap it really Popz!
I really like Pinwheel PiZZaZZ. It iz zo nice to zee your design procezz. A very zuper pattern that lookz like it could be used in many wayz. I like your zetting No 2 a lot. Looking forward to the 100 blocks book being out.
I luvz your block. It has lots of snapz(snaps), craclez(crackles), and popz(pops)! Would love to win a copy of the magazine.
At first I was puzzled, but, Zowie! this block has plenty of dazzling pizzazz!
I love the Pinwheel Pizzaz…..It’s snazzy and jazzy!!! I would love to win a copy of the new mag… Thankzzzz a lot!
My brain is sizzling with pizzazz!!
I love this block, ezpecially zetting # 3!! Congratzzzz on getting into the book!
Pizzazz is exactly the word that came to mind when I saw this block…love the possibilities that could come with this block…amazing
Wowza! That is one jazzy block!
Thanks for the insight into the design process. Persistence pays off, apparently.
JAZZZZZY! Really love it!
Zat block haz lotz of pizzazz!! I love it!
Zat is zee best block I’ve seen in a long time! Zat is great!
zippity do dahz! What Pizzazz! Really livz up to z name.
I am not normally a fan of pinwheelz but thiz one is growing on me. Thank you for zhowing different wayz of changing up the fabricz. I kinda like the yellow one. Would make a nice black and white and accent color project- cheryl
That is a lovely way of dividing and conquering a block.
I lovzit zven ze candiez zook like zhey are za flyinz zinto my mouthz! Congradulationzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Great block. I love all the different ways to set it. It makes me dizzy!
What a Zippity Doo Daa Day block!!! Love the red and black!!!!
Wowzer! What a zippy, zazzy, fantazzy block! I’d love to win a copy of this magazine. Thanks for the chance.
Love how you included it in several settings. Great block! It’s zany and fun!
Love “Pinwheel Pizzazz”! It sure would make a cozy quilt to wrap up it during the zero degree weather that is about to head my way. My puppy Zoe will be happy to join me with her fuzzy little zebra toy. Whichever way you place the blocks it adds zest to a lazy day!
Oh my golly gee… all the great words are used up already, but I like the breezy fell it gives me to look at all the different wayz you testes z block. What a dazzling fun time. Thankz
I am dazzeled by Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 2
Way cool design process – thank you so much for sharing!
I love Pizza and I love your pizzazz pinwheel. So cute! Especially with those spot fabrics! This block has crazy amazing endless possiblities.
Just Love pinwheels,pizz Looks like it will be fun to put together….
Pinwheel Pizzaz zetting 3, gets my vote
(z)Pinwheel Pizzaz iz ze (z)BOMB! (z) iz (z)a zilent (z)letter!
Wow! Pizzazz is right! LOVE the way the pinwheelz move the block! THANK you for showing the process you went through! It alwayz makes me feel better to see others audition a zillion fabrics too! “Z” for you (that would be A on any other day)
I vote for setting 2 for pizzazz! couldnt you work a pizza pinwheel in there??
Definitley a block with a lot of ZIP! It is a great design! Thanks for a chance to win a magazine!
Judy W
I am pleased (pleezed?) to see your thinking process with these (theez?) designs (dezines!). You have quite a zippy block.
Zowie! A zaney quilt.
Pinwheelz are zome of my favorite blockz to pieze together! I love piezing them!! Won’t get any zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz’s when I get this magazine becauze I will be so pleazed to look at it over and over!!!
I really love this minty dezign. It makez me think of candy canez and peppermintz. I guess I should be snug in my bed with visionz of sugarplumz dancing in my headz?
I just hate it when I find a cool block such as this one and I can’t just drop everything and run downstairs to make it. Full time job and tonight is my babysitting night with the grandkidletts. Truly, this is my favorite in a long time. Great use of color and design. Thanks for sharing!
I’m in a tizzy and gettin’ real dizzy. I wanna make this block so I gotta win and get bizzy!
I thought to be clever and find an appropriate “Z” word from the dictionary. Zillion possibilities for the Pinwheel Pizzazz block. Will you use a Zig Zag line fabric could have worked. It’s a very Zesty looking block! But your first commentor should steal my vote. Gave me quite the laugh–a completely different take on your request to include “Zs” in comments. I’ll toast the winner with a glass of Zinfandel! Sandi
This has plenty of zip and really zaps with possibilities. Pinwheels are fun and lend themselves to many settting variations. So I hipe I get a chance to zip around your pinwheels.
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Love this block & really like how you showed the different ways that it can look different for quilts!
Love the block & how you showed different looks by block location.
really love the looks of this block. It’s very Zesty and in my favorite colorZ!
Thanz zo much for sharing your thougthz process. Az a newbie to quilt dezigning, it helpz to understand approach. Love the pizzazz block. Great ideaz!
Such a snazzy, zippy design that Pinwheel Pizzazz iz! Thanks for a fun tour today, I can’t wait to tour tomorrow!
I love this block!
The buzz is that this block is the beez kneez and I LOVE IT! Thank you, Kd ~ http://www.KdQuilts.com
Zust a zuper block! Loved zeeing your zhought prozess (feel like I have a weird lizp!)
Zowie! I already voted for this as my favorite on the Quiltmaker site. I like piecing and the variety this block offers.
Wow, that’s glitzy!! I wazn’t so sure about the striped fabric until you turned one in another direction. And many thankz for the different setting optionz!
What a zippy, zingy, jazzy block you have designed!
What a great block! I can see myself putting all kinds of different things in that square where the pinwheel is. Very SNAZZY!!
I love pinwheelzzz! I so need to make this block. Can’t wait to get a hold of a copy of the magazine so I can!
Congrats on your block being included in the magazine.
zippity zo zah, zippity zay, zverything’s zoing zmy zway zoday
I zay pizzazz zit!
Thankz for the zpreview.
It reminds me of Christmas candy. Lots of movement. Love it.
Your block is so fun!
Great block. Hope I win a copy of the mag!!
Now that I’ve seen your Pinwheel PiZZaZZ block and all of the quilt layout possibilities using it, I want to win a copy of the magaZine even more. I’m imagining your block made up with a Zebra print. Really cool!
This zany pinwheel block does have lotz of Pizzazz. Can’t wait to get my handz on a copy of the magazine all us crazy quilters have been waiting for. I’ll zip right to your block and take my scizzors to some fabrics.
I love the way Pizzazz looks! It is zany and zippy! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the magazine.
I really like this block! It’s zaney, zippy and jazzy!
What a zippy, zany, jazzy dezign! Zoom Zoom!!
zippity Pinwheel Pizzazz… the block is so beautiful. I am looking forward to zipping away on the Pizzazz.
I wonder if the pinwheels would look like zebras if they were done in black and white…
Super block but the real Pizzazz is in the settings.
Will have to consider zebras, a zonkey or zorse for more themes.
Thanks for sharing your talents.
You certainly have shown the hazards of block design–always trying to improve it. Love the results!
What a fun block to do. Also fun to play with.
Razzy Dazzy!!
Pazzowww! Thanks! Candace
Thanks for the zippy block!
I am zealous about winning this magazine – It really has some pizaz –
Thanks for the opportunity
I like your block! red and white pinwheels, or lime and black and some ZEBRA fabric! or how about black and white and yellow! just like a bumble bee — BUZZZ!
now I have to go play!
Beth in Dallas
How about some zebra prints or some other animal from the zoo…. Cute block.
Loved seeing your ‘process’ of this one. Very jazzy-pizzazzy! Thank you!
Yowza!! Red, white and black colors make for a snazzy colorful block. Really like your block.
There’s lots of buzz about 100 Blocks Volume 4 and already I can already see why. I love Pinwheel Pizzazz!
The black and white remind me of zippy zebras in a zoo.
I am really lazy lately, so using the letter Z isn’t eazee.
But, I think your block is amaZing.
Debbie
That’z a whole lot of pinwheelz but I lovez it and zo would my gdaughter Zoe!
I just love pinwheels. Setting three is my favorite. It really Zings to me!
I love how the pinwheelz increase in size across the block. I’m sure I would be a whiz at making them by the time the quilt was done!
What zinger blocks you have. Zantastic.
Zazzzzz zipzzzzz, I love thiz block pretty much, I’m a big fan of pinwheelz, June really did a marvelouz job with thiz one…, love the colorz, not zure, or am I hungry?, there are zome pizzaz around uz, the block lookz zoooooooooooooo yummy, I don’t mind to give it a good, big bite, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz opz zorry!!! I mean yummmmmmmmm!!!!
Snazzy pizzazz and zooo creative! Love it lotzzz.
Amazing, outztanding, senzational, ztupendous!
I want to follow your instructions, but I so seldom type that particular letter of the alphabet. I need to stop and look down at the keyboard so that I hit the right key instead of the shift key. Well… here goes… I am looking down….and Z there it is! But wait, what of those from Canada…can they type (looking down) Zed?
Love the pinwheels block and the illusion it creates in the different settings!
Zippity zing, how that quilt block does sing! Zanks for a chance to win ze magazine….
Wowzer! look at the pizzaz in thoze blockz! Spelling may be zany, but the sentiment isn’t. Congratz on the block
How effective is this block in a whole quilt…..WOW!!!! Blows my mind….absolutely love it! Clever little chicky!!!!
Snazzy block, jazzy block,
What a pizzazzy block!
Zippy, zingy, bedazzling block!
Couldn’t resist a Dr Seuss sort of way of using Z’s.
Amanda
Looking at the single block (not the settings), I hear Santa “ho, ho, ho-zing” out of zight…in the night. Just flashez and dashez of red and white in an inky black night! I think I have to make this one.
Zowy! Pinwheel Pizzazz is just jazzy! Personally, I love the yellow, it really makes the red/white pinwheelz pop!
zounds! zuch a block! zo dazzling! gotz to zip it into my folder and make it up for keepz!
Different sized pinweels pizzas looks great. Hugs Jofrid
Zis is wonderful, so many pozziblities. Thankz.
Setting #2 definitely my favorite. Dazzles! Could play with shading for a 3-Z effect!
I really like all the setting options with this block. And what a fun block!
Zat iz a very snazzy block! Thankz for the chance to win.
Zowiee! I love it when a traditional block gets reinvented in a new way!
Love this block! Love it a lotz!
Zuper! I LOVE THIS BLOCK.
I can zee thiz block done in Zebra printz. It iz zuch a zpectacular block. Thankz for a chance to win a copy of the magazine. Hugz
luvz your pinwheelz to piezzes… and your zettingz tootz!
I love this block, it has pizzaz, it has ze, how you say it, movement! I like what someone said, it is jazzy!
Zip me a prize will ya?! How’s that for Z’s? Actually I enjoyed seeing this particular quilt because I too am currently working on a black/white and red quilt that is based on same design idea but different as mine has stars and not pinwheels. Pinwheels are dazzling and jazzy (tossed in a few my zzzzz’s for good measure)
Love the pattern, love the color selection. Love the graduation of block sizes. Actually there’s nothing I don’t absolutely love about this quilt. WooHoo to you.
Your dazzling Pinwheel Pizzazz block has lots of zest and zing. It’s a doozy! You’d have to be lazy, dizzy or just lost in a maze to not join this zippy quilty craze!
With the time difference I am not sure I’ll still make it for the giveaway! But your block is lovely and I love the different settings you haev come up with. Congratulations.
Love this block and all the possibilities. Loved that you show your thought process and how it developed into what it is today.
Love the pizzaz block!
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Love pinwheels pizzazz. Think I’ll attempt it when I win his book.
I’m loving that patriotic block! May have to make this quilt for Red/White/Tahoe Blue quilt display this upcoming July.
I really love the ice crystals and leaf blocks. I really want to win this new book.
Love the Pinwheel Pizzazz: Setting 2 – Awesome!