It’s time for another Quilt Block A Month. You can join the fun by ‘liking” the page on Facebook.
The block for this quarter is the Spool Block. It offers a lot of options and is quick and easy to piece. If you do just one block a day, you’ll have a 78 blocks finished before the first day of spring!
This is a great way to use your scraps. All you need is: 2) 2-1/2″ x 7-1/2″ brown rectangles, 4) 1-1/2″ light squares, 2) 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ light rectangles and a 5-1/2″ center square—either plain or pieced. I like using a stripe because it looks like thread wrapped around the spool.
Some people like to mark their squares with a diagonal pencil line when doing sew-and-flip corners, but I just finger press them–quick and easy!
Add a square to opposite ends of the brown rectangle.
Stitch, trim and press. Note: I didn’t trim the background fabric away. It makes it a bit bulky, but I also think it stabilizes it. Your choice! Do this with both brown rectangles.
Add the white rectangles to the sides of the 5-1/2″ square.
Now add the brown rectangles to the top and bottom, making sure the light areas match up. Voila! You have a spool block! The unfinished block is 7-1/2″ x 9-1/2″.
Now, here’s where the fun comes in. You can do all kinds of things with the center square. You could sew 5) 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ strips together to make it look like thread wrapped around your spool.
How about using random width strips on an angle to represent the thread? I foundation pieced this.
Do you save selvedges? This is a great place to use them!
Here are the four sample blocks I made. I’ll play with setting possibilities when I have more finished.
They do make an interesting design when set next to each other. You get some secondary action going on!
I hope you’ll join us!
8 Responses
January 1st, 2013 at 7:01 pm
I’m so excited to try this, thanks! Want to make a wall hanging for my sewing room.
January 1st, 2013 at 7:20 pm
[...] A quilt top by spring…yes, I’ll take it. She provides a tutorial with lots of great photos to help you construct your own block. Go HERE to learn more. [...]
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:26 am
I’m in!! I love this block!!! :-) amie in tn.
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Love it! I’m in. I’ve been wanting to use my quilt-themed fabrics in a spool block. What are the dimensions of the block ?
January 5th, 2013 at 11:20 am
What a great idea Karen! The possibilities for the “thread” are just endless!! Thanks so much!
January 7th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
I’m in — can’t wait to get started. November & December are so busy with Holidays and travel. It will be good to get back to quilting.
January 11th, 2013 at 1:01 pm
I would love to use your block for a block swap. All participants would be directed to your site to get the pattern. No copying allowed. Each participant will make a certain number of blocks (depending on how many playing) and mail them to me. I dole out blocks to each person with everyone getting one block from every other player. Would this be ok with you? I will not hold this swap with your pattern with out your permission. Period. you can reach me at: soccertxi@aol.com
March 4th, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Love this so much, and I love the idea of selvedges! This would be a fun wall hanging for a sewing room!
I think I will try this when I finish my current project, a baby quilt!
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