There are tons of ways to create pinwheels. After looking at the various directions that I found on the internet, this is what I came up with to create mine. Feel free to check online for other options and ideas.
This is a pattern you can use to get an idea of where to cut the lines and where to poke your holes. The center hole does not need to be that large.
Supplies:
Double sided pattern paper
Paper flower
Brad of your choice
2 small beads
3” length of 24 gauge or heavier craft wire
3/16” dowel rod 10” in length
Needle nose pliers
Hot glue gun (Glue dots might work!)
Large needle or hole piercer
Ruler
Pencil
Instructions:1. Use your wire cutters to clip the prongs off of your brad. Set it aside.
2. Use the large needle and poke a hole about a ½” down through the top of your dowel rod. You will need to carefully but firmly push and twist the needle down into the top of the dowel rod.
3. Cut a 4” x 4” square from your choice of patterned paper. I find double sided patterned paper to be the best choice because both sides of the paper will show.
4. Use a ruler and a pencil to draw lines to find the center of the square. Line the ruler up on opposite corners and draw a light pencil line from one corner to the next. Repeat on the other opposite corners. Where the lines intersect is your center.
5. Cut about halfway in toward the center of the square from each corner. (dashed lines)
6. Use straight pin to poke a hole in the center of the square and one in each of the 4 corners where the letters are in the diagram.
7. Stick one end of the wire into the top of the dowel rod and bend it to form a 90 degree angle. You are going to want to keep the wire as straight as you can as you continue to create your pinwheel.
8. Thread one bead on to the wire.
9. Bring the wire through the hole you poked in the center of the paper square and then carefully bend up each of the corners with the hole in them and thread them through the wire. Be careful not to crease the paper.
10. Thread the flower onto the wire.
11. Then thread the second bead onto the wire. Use your pliers to twist the remaining wire into a small circle. If it looks like you are going to have too much wire left, just cut some off. Once you twist the wire around a few times it will be enough to hold it in place.
12. Hot glue the brad onto the circled end of the wire.
13. Blow the edge of your pinwheel to watch it spin. If it doesn’t spin make sure the wire isn’t bent.
Other options: Decorate the dowel rod by painting it, wrapping ribbon around it, or tying ribbon to it.
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