Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Make It: Patriotic Pinwheels

Who can resist spinning a pinwheel?  Not me.  Especially then they’re this adorable.  Making your own DIY pinwheels is a fun and easy craft, and they’re  perfect for adding a touch of whimsy to your 4th of July picnic festivities.  Make them ahead of time and use for table decorations, or set out the supplies and let the kids have a blast making their own.

Patriotic Pinwheels

DIY Pinwheel Tutorial

Patriotic PinwheelsPatriotic Pinwheels

You’ll need:  Pretty paper (double sided prints look best), scissors, straight pin, lollipop stick or skewer.    1)  Cut your paper in a perfect square.  I used 6x6 for this tutorial.  2) Using a ruler, lightly draw lines from corner to corner of your square.  3)  Cut lines from each corner to the middle of the square, but DO NOT cut all the way up.  Stop at least 1/2-inch from the center.  4) Fold down alternating corners toward the middle of the square.  5)  Use a straight pin to push through all layers to the other side.  6)  Push the pin into the lollipop stick or skewer.  (This takes a little bit of effort, and kids may need help with this part.)  If the pin won’t stay put, add a drop of glue to the tip.

Using the straight pin allows the pinwheel to spin.  Alternately, you can use a brad through the center and glue the stick to the back, but the pinwheel won’t spin. 

Patriotic Pinwheels

Have a safe and festive 4th of July, DIY’ers!

~julee~