Re-purposed Paper Pinwheel Tutorial
DIY Time
It’s DIY Time again, where every week I try to post something you can do yourself rather than buy, which is a money saver, and can be VERY REWARDING. Some of these posts are crafts, sewing projects, homemade cleaners, homemade health aids, tutorials, and the like.
(We like to display these in our re-purposed tin cans!)
There is something whimsical about a pinwheel that brings me back to my childhood. Don’t those pinwheels make you want to skip and sing a silly song? I thought the kids would really like making them, too. They are so fast to make and fun!!
I was inspired by Martha Stewart, but she doesn’t show step-by-step instructions, and that’s what I need, so that’s what I provided here along with a few ways I re-purposed for this.
Map Pins
The hardest part of this tutorial was finding the map pins for me (which still wasn’t that bad). Map pins are pins with a sphere on top. I called around. They did not have them at my JoAnn’s or Michael’s. I found them at our local craft store, CraftMart, for $1.99/100 plus I used a 40% off coupon for a final price of $1.20 plus tax. You don’t have to use the the map pins, but their point is more narrow and makes twirling easier for the pinwheel.
What You’ll Need :
- lightweight paper for good twirling action: re-purposed magazine pages work well (you can use scrapbook paper if the pinwheels are for decor only-they will twirl, but not well)
- one tack
- map pins (you can use regular tacks but these are prettier and made more tacks)
- chopsticks (re-purposed) or dowels
- scissors
Use a lightweight paper for better twirl action. Here was a bag I got at the music store.
Cut into your desired size square. I most of them about 6×6.
Fold the square in half.
Fold it in half again.
Open up the paper. Cut on the fold starting at each of the four corners and cut in toward the center about 2 1/2 inches or so. Don’t cut through the center!
Wet your stick so it won’t crack. Push the push pin in and pull it out.
Gather each corner, and use a map pin to pin it through. The finished product!
Joshua’s Re-purposed Magazine Page Pinwheel
Joshie’s Pinwheel
Update 2/15, my friend made these little pinwheels for us.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
You are welcome, Gina!. Thank you for visiting!
In addition to Monday Kid Corner Weekly Linky Party, this week’s theme is MUD. Brush off those archives and link them up at thejennyevolution.com. See you there! Jennifer
I think pinwheels are just so cute, and I love that you repurposed paper instead of going out and buying new stuff for the project. I love it when I can reuse things for a craft project!
I would love it if you would link up at Martha Mondays, open now through Wednesday night!
http://www.watchoutmartha.net/2013/04/martha-mondays-link-up-party-features_21.html
~Amanda http://www.watchoutmartha.net
Hi Amanda, Thanks for sharing and visiting!
Adorable! What a great way to re-use magazines. Thanks for the idea.
I love pinwheels. This is a great tutorial – the musical note pinwheel is VERY cute!
I’m glad you linked up at Romance on a dime!
Hi Betsy, I am a piano teacher like you, too! Thanks for visiting!
Adorable idea! I love the music notes!
Thanks for visiting, Debbie!
Adorable idea. I really like the music notes.
These are sooo adorable! We just love making pinwheels around here!
Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2012/06/pink-hippo-party-84.html I am your newest Facebook follower~ xoxo Amie @ Pinkapotamus
Thanks so much, Amie! I’ll visit!
These are so cute! Great tutorial! And I love the pics! 🙂 Making n sharing! I think these are great 4th of July treats! Thanks for this! Love your blog! You educate n entertain me!
Hi Terri! Thanks so much! I appreciate your kind words!