Barn quilt pattern
Windmill Pinwheel Barn Quilt Pattern
Four triangle 'blades' that spin around the center — the classic barn pinwheel.
Planning the board? Use the sizing calculator for exact cell and border measurements, or read the paint color guide before you buy paint.
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Grid
- 10 × 10
- Colors
- 5
- Suggested board sizes
- 2′ × 2′, 4′ × 4′
About the Windmill Pinwheel block
Pinwheel quilts were one of the earliest pieced patterns in America because they only need a single triangle template. On a barn the rotation creates instant movement when you drive past.
Tips for painting a Windmill Pinwheel barn quilt
Use two strongly contrasting colors so the spin reads from the road.
Ready to design your Windmill Pinwheel?
Customize the colors in the online designer and download a printable paint-by-color plan with a grid diagram.
Open in the designerPainted the Windmill Pinwheel? Share your photo.
We feature finished quilts from real makers in the gallery — it helps other painters see how the Windmill Pinwheel looks in different color combinations.