Hi!  I am Susan from The Felted Pear, and I'm excited to share with you my Countdown to Christmas block, Peppermint Swirl.  Christmas always brings back fond memories of snow, stockings, and those minty little peppermint candies, which were the inspiration behind my block.  This block would look great in a sampler with the other Countdown to Christmas blocks or makes a fun stand-alone pattern as well.  Let's get started!

The Peppermint Swirl Block finishes at 6" x 6".

Per Block:

(1) 4.5" Green Square (Ella and Ollie Apple 20305 15)

(1) 4.5" White Square (Bella Solid 9000 98)

(2) 4.25" Red Square (Mama's Cottage Apple Red 24052 25)

 

*All seams are sewn with a 0.25" seam allowance and are pressed open unless otherwise noted.

 

Gather (1) 4.5" Green square, (1) 4.5" White square, and (2) 4.25" Red squares.  Squares are purposefully cut oversized to allow for squaring up later.

Sub cut the Green and White squares into quarters as shown.  Cut the Red squares in half along the diagonal.

 

Lay out the Green and White triangles as shown.  Keep your placement of Green and White triangles consistent, to make sure your pinwheel swirls.

Sew the triangles together along the vertical edge as shown. Press toward the Green triangle.

Gather your (4) Red triangles and lay out the block as shown.  Now is a good time to check to make sure your pinwheel is swirling in the correct direction.

Sew each unit together along the diagonal as shown, and press toward the Red triangle.  Make four.

Square up each unit as you would a Quarter Square Triangle Unit to 3.5".  I found it easiest to center my ruler at 1.75" square with the Green and White seam under the diagonal of the 45 degree mark on my ruler as shown above.

Lay out the units as shown.  Assemble all four units into the finished block.  Press seams open.

This block finishes at 6" x 6" (Unfinished 6.5" x 6.5")

I loved the simple but festive design of the Peppermint Swirl Block, and couldn't stop at just one!  I made 13 more blocks using leftover Layer Cake and Charm squares of my favorite Fig Tree fabrics (nine according to the directions, and four with the colors reversed) and set them on point.  I added a flying geese border to make it a bit larger and to really make the blocks pop.

I'd love to see any Peppermint Swirl blocks that you make!  Be sure to tag me on Instagram (@thefeltedpear) when you share your project.

Susan Vaughan
{instagram.com/thefeltedpear}