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Don't miss out on these fun DIY red, white, and blue paper pinwheels! Use our free SVG cut file to add a patriotic flair to your summer decor.
![Red white and blue paper pinwheel with a white glitter star on the front.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/paper-pinwheel-header.jpg)
Looking to add a patriotic flair to your summer decor?
These DIY red, white, and blue paper pinwheels really spin and are perfect for celebrating with kids or decorating your home!
Crafting these fun and festive pinwheels is a breeze with our free SVG cut file,
Learn how to create your own personalized pinwheels for your summer celebrations.
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Craft Video Tutorial:
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Supply List:
Some supplies were provided at no cost. Links may lead to similar products if the exact ones are unavailable.
- Paper Pinwheel Free SVG
- Cricut Cutting Machine
- Red and Blue Cardstock
- White Glitter Paper
- Pinwheel Kit
- Bone Folder
- Glue Dots
![StandardGrip Cutting Mat, red and blue cardstock, white glitter cardstock, windmill kit, glue dots, and a bone folder.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/paper-pinwheel-supplies.jpg)
Grab the Free SVG:
This digital media is for Personal Use Only - You do not have permission to redistribute.
![SVG Cut File to make paper pinwheels.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/2024/06/Patriotic-Pinwheel-Header.jpg)
Cricut Design Space:
For the following steps, I'll be using Cricut Design Space.
If you use Silhouette Studio or a different design software, your steps may be different than mine.
To start, upload the SVG into Cricut Design Space and add it to your Canvas.
![Screenshot of Cricut Design Space, uploading the design.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/paper-pinwheel-cricut-design-space-5.jpg)
The file is ready to cut as is, but I will make a few changes to customize the file.
The first thing I need to do is Ungroup the cuts.
Highlight the entire design and select the Ungroup icon.
I also want to cut this out of three colors instead of one.
To change the color, highlight the piece and select the color under Operation.
![Screenshot of Cricut Design Space, changing the colors of the cut pieces.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/paper-pinwheel-cricut-design-space-4.jpg)
Now all of the pieces are the color that I want them.
![Screenshot of Cricut Design Space, three different pieces three different colors.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/paper-pinwheel-cricut-design-space-3.jpg)
Select Make, and the next screen is the Mat Preview.
I am making 4 pinwheels, and I can easily select how many project copies I want in the drop-down section. Then click Apply.
![Screenshot of Cricut Design Space, changing to four project copies.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/paper-pinwheel-cricut-design-space-2.jpg)
The file is sized so that 4 pinwheel pieces can be cut on one 12x12 sheet of cardstock.
Click Continue.
Select the Material, I am using 80lb cardstock.
When cutting paper, I always select More Pressure to get a nice, clean cut.
![Screenshot of Cricut Design Space, Selecting More Pressure in the drop-down menu.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/paper-pinwheel-cricut-design-space-1.jpg)
The prompts in Cricut Design Space will tell you what color to load into your machine to cut.
To apply the piece of paper to the mat, start in a corner, align the edges from that corner, and press the paper onto the mat.
![Applying blue cardstock to the StandardGrip Mat.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/cutting-paper-pinwheel-pieces-cricut-1.jpg)
Load the mat into the machine and cut!
![Cutting blue cardstock on a Cricut maker.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/cutting-paper-pinwheel-pieces-cricut.jpg)
Assembling the Paper Pieces:
Here are all of the pieces needed to make one paper pinwheel.
![Pieces needed to make a paper pinwheel.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-pieces.jpg)
We are going to start by assembling the paper pieces.
Use a bone folder to give a curve to all of the flag parts on the cut paper pieces.
![curling the paper with a bone folder.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-assembly-8.jpg)
This is what the two pieces look like after those ends have curled.
![Red and blue pin wheel pieces that have been curled with a bone folder.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-assembly-7.jpg)
It doesn't matter which piece is the bottom, or the top, so just pick one for the bottom and add a few glue dots near the center hole.
Place the second piece on top, keeping those center holes together, and the flags of the top pieces between the flags on the bottom piece.
![Adhering the paper pinwheel pieces.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-assembly-5.jpg)
This is what it should look like.
![Two layers of pinwheel pieces glued together.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-assembly-4.jpg)
For the next step, I am using several glue dots. Mine are a little bigger than I need, so I cut them in half.
Grab an end with a hole, it can be any end, and adhere a small glue dot underneath the hole.
![Adhering a glue dot underneath the hole.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-assembly-3.jpg)
Going clockwise, grab the next end, it will be a different color than the first, line up the holes, and press together.
![Pressing the ends to together.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-assembly-2.jpg)
Add another glue dot below the hole, and adhere the next piece, it will be the same color as the first.
![Adhering the third layer, keeping the holes aligned.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-assembly-1.jpg)
Repeat, going around the pinwheel until all the hole pieces have been aligned and glued together.
![Pinwheel before placed on the stick.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/assembled-paper-pinwheel.jpg)
Adding the Stick:
The stick is the magic part of this pinwheel, and is how it can spin!
There are five parts to the stick.
![Pinwheel stick pieces.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-stick-assembly-8.jpg)
Start with the nail piece, and slide on the top hat so the two flat ends come together.
![Sliding the top hat piece onto the plastic nail.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-stick-assembly-6.jpg)
Push the nail through the front of the pinwheel so a post is sticking out the backside.
![Pushing the nail through the paper pinwheel, so the post is showing on the back side.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-stick-assembly-5.jpg)
Place the washer over the post.
![Washer on the post.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-stick-assembly-4.jpg)
Then press the T piece onto the post. It helps to press it down onto a table and press until you hear the pieces click together.
![Pressing the T piece onto the post until they click together.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-stick-assembly-3.jpg)
Insert the stick into the plastic T, and we are nearly done.
![Adding the stick to the pinwheel.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-stick-assembly-1.jpg)
The last step is to add the center star.
Place a glue dot on the front flat plastic piece.
![Placing a glue dot on the front of the pinwheel.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/paper-pinwheel-front-glue-dot.jpg)
Then adhere the star to the front.
![Completed paper pin wheel.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/completed-paper-pinwheel.jpg)
Then lightly blow on the pinwheel and watch as it spins!
![Spinning paper pinwheel.](https://thecraftyblogstalker.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/spinning-paper-pinwheel.jpg)
If the pinwheel doesn't spin freely and is getting caught on a paper piece, slightly bend the paper until it will spin freely.
I also noticed that all of my pinwheels are a little different on where that air needs to be aimed to spin, so just play with it until you find that perfect spot.
Variations
While this project is perfect for July 4th, it could easily be customized for any summer party! Simply change out the star on the front for a different shape and you have a whole new themed pinwheel!
- Baby Shower
- Bridal Shower
- Anniversary
- Birthday Party
- Just for Fun!
Our Crafting Essentials:
- The Cricut Cutting Machine is easily our favorite crafting tool. We use it in so many of our tutorials!
- These MakerX Crafting Tools are perfect for keeping in the craft room and are always ready when needed!
- This Fiskars Paper Trimmer is easy to use and cuts nicely without frayed edges.
- These Scotch Precision Scissors cut like a dream, and you get multiple pairs in a pack!
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