This 6-1/2″ square Spool and Bobbin quilt block is part of a challenge to make a block that features a sewing item. My block is a spool, with an optional bobbin sashing block. All sorts of designs can be made with this two-block arrangement!
Be sure to see the list of designers at the bottom of the page to see their sewing projects. To print this tutorial, use the green Print Friendly button below that list. If that doesn’t work, try pressing down the CNTRL button and the P button at the same time. Or the COMMAND button and the P button if you are on a Mac. That should bring up the printer dialog.
The block you are making finishes 6″ square. To make it a 12″ block, just sew four together as shown above. But check out the designs at the bottom of the page. You may not want to do that.
Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.
For the Spool Block Assemble:
- (1) 2″ square (background color)
- (2) 1″ × 2-1/2″ rectangles (background color)
- (2) 1-1/2″ × 2″ rectangles (bobbin color)
- (2) 1-1/2″ × 4″ rectangle (bobbin color)
- (2) 2″ × 2-1/2″ rectangle (bobbin color
- (1) 4″ square (spool color)
- (3) 2-1/2″ squares (spool color)
To make the spool block:
1. Sew a 1-1/2″ × 2″ bobbin colored rectangle to both sides of the 2″ background square. Press to the dark.
2. Sew a 1-1/2″ × 4″ bobbin colored rectangle to the top and bottom of the square. Press to the dark. It should measure 4″ square.
3. Place the 4″ spool colored square on top of this square, right sides together. Sew all the way around the outside, like a pillow with no way to get to the inside.
4. Cut this square on both diagonals. Press toward the spool fabric. Square up these blocks to 2-1/2″ square. The ruler shown in this picture is part of the Quilt-in-a-Day Fussy Cut ruler set.
5. Sew one of these blocks to each side of a 2-1/2″ spool color block, arranged so the spool colors touch each other. This row should measure 2-1/2″ × 6-1/2″. Make (2) rows. These are the first row and the third row in the spool block
6. Sew the 2″ × 2-1/2″ bobbin rectangle to the 1″ × 2-1/2″ background rectangle. Make (2) Press to the light. These blocks should measure 2-1/2″ square.
7. Sew these squares to both sides of the center 2-1/2″ spool color block, with the bobbin color touching the center block. This row should measure 2-1/2″ × 6-1/2″. This is the center row in the spool block.
8. Sew the three rows together in order. If you are using a directional fabric, it may not match the graphic at the top of this page.
9. Square it up to 6-1/2″. The ruler shown in this picture is part of the Quilt-in-a-Day Fussy Cut ruler set.
For the Bobbin Block, assemble:
- (2) 2″ × 2-1/2″ rectangles (bobbin color)
- (1) 2″ square (bobbin color)
- (2)1″ × 2-1/2″ rectangles (background color)
- (2) 2″ squares (background color)
1. Cut both 2″ background squares on the diagonal to make (4) triangles.
2. Sew the long side of a background triangle to both sides of a 2″ bobbin colored square, matching the center of the square with the center of the triangle. Press to the triangle. Repeat with the other two sides. You have made a square-in-a-square block. Square this up to 2-1/2″. Again, the ruler shown in this picture is part of the Quilt-in-a-Day Fussy Cut ruler set.
3. Sew a 1″ × 2-1/2″ background rectangle to both sides of this block. Press to the background rectangle.
4. Sew a 2″ × 2-1/2″ bobbin rectangle to both sides of this block. Press to the dark. This block should measure 2-1/2″ × 6-1/2″. You have made a pieced sashing!
Here is the Block and Sashing
Here are some layout ideas
This design is made by alternating a 6-1/2″ square Spool block with a 2″ × 6-1/2″ Bobbin block.
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Vintage Machines
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Stitching Together at Epida Studio
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