Spools This is a fun block, and if you have scraps laying around, why not use them up making your spools or the thread. You only need little bits of fabric to make a 12 inch block.     For your background you need eight 2 1/2 inch squares and eight 2 7/8 inch squares.     For each spool you need one 2 1/2 inch square of thread looking fabric, total of four.     For each spool you need two 2 1/2 inch squares and two 2 7/8 inch squares of something for your spools, whatever pleases you. Total of eight each size. First we'll make our spool's top and bottom, not hard at all. You need to use the spool fabric and background 2 7/8 inch squares to make diagonal half squares, place them right sides together. Draw a line corner to corner, (diagonally) through the wrong side of the lightest color, this is the cutting line. If you have a quarter-inch foot, sew on either side of that line, then cut on that line. (If you do not have a quarter-inch foot, just add two more lines, 1/4 inch on either side of the first line.) You will now have two diagonal half-squares, which should measure exactly 2 1/2 inches. Repeat and then you are ready for the next step. You need four diagonal half squares for each spool. Place a diagonal half-square on either side of a 2 1/2 inch square and a top (or bottom) of the spool is finished. Repeat and the other end of the spool is done. Now the thread part, which is easy. Just sew a background square on either side of your thread. (You don't have to use striped fabric, but if you have it, it will help. Stripes in the right direction would be better. Or you can quilt your thread lines on, be creative.) Put one spool block together, it should measure 6 1/2 inches. You can now repeat the same steps and make the other three. Then assemble your Spools Block which should finish 12 1/2 inches. Other Sizes       If you would like to make a nine inch Spools Block, you would need to cut your squares 2 inches and 2 3/8 for the diagonal half squares.       For a six inch Spools Block, you would need to cut your squares 1 1/2 inches and 1 7/8 inches for the diagonal half squares. Spools © Delaware Quilts August 2021 The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the Delaware Quilts and may not be used or reproduced in any manner without consent. All Rights Reserved. Updated January 21, 2022 |Home| Quilts| Blocks| Quilt Patterns For Relay| Email|