- Background (muslin)
- Medium (goldenrod)
- Dark (indigo)
Block No. 84 · other
Spools Quilt Block
Part of: Half Square Triangle Quilt Blocks
Spools sets four thread spools in a four-patch, turning alternate spools on their sides. Each spool is a nine-patch of squares and half-square triangles, the common straight-seam construction that avoids the set-in trapezoids of older template versions.
Version note: Version note: straight-seam nine-patch spool units (Create Whimsy) replace the traditional set-in trapezoid spool ends. Four alternating spools is the traditional Spools arrangement; the alternating turn is medium confidence.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Grid
- 6 × 6
- Pieces
- 52
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
6 × 6 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Square | 8 | 2 1/2" square | Use as cut | 8 |
| Background | Half-square triangle | 8 | 2 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 16 |
| Medium | Square | 4 | 2 1/2" square | Use as cut | 4 |
| Dark | Square | 8 | 2 1/2" square | Use as cut | 8 |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 8 | 2 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 16 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Cut the HST parent squares once diagonally. Sew each contrasting pair along the long edge, press toward the darker fabric and square the unit to 2 1/2", keeping the diagonal running corner to corner.
Step 2: For each spool lay out three rows: HST, dark square, HST; background, thread square, background; HST, dark square, HST. The background triangles sit at the outer corners beside the thread so the spool ends flare.
Step 3: Sew the rows and join them to make four 6 1/2" spool units.
Step 4: Place two spools upright in the upper-left and lower-right positions and two turned on their sides in the other positions.
Step 5: Sew the spools into two rows, then join the rows, nesting the center seam.
Step 6: Join the rows with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, matching each seam intersection. Press and check the unfinished block measures 12 1/2" square.