{Classic Quilt Blocks} Spool - An Introduction

Classic Quilt Blocks have been sewn for centuries, are easy to recognise and are every quilters favorite. Let's celebrate these gorgeous blocks and add them to our quilting projects!

Welcome to my April Classic Quilt Blocks series. This month I thought we'd celebrate the gorgeous Spool block because let's be honest, where would we be without our basic spools of thread? I like to display mine in racks on the sewing room wall, but they look so pretty in quilts as well.

The Spool block is another simple combination of squares and HST units, and this month I'm going to show you two variations of this block in step by step tutorials - the basic version and one a little fancier!

Adapting the Spool block is fun and easy, giving it its own personality so it shines in a quilt. You can also add it to some of the other Classic Quilt Blocks we've already looked at - don't worry, I'll give you lots of ideas over the coming weeks to help you out!

It's a simple block but it's very pretty, and it represents a notion we all love and use, so let's look at the Spool block in a little more detail:

Block History:

I've talked before about quilt blocks depicting utilitarian items of pioneer life, and while the Spool block is a clear representation of the thread spool, it's also indicative of a shape found in the posts of a spool bed.  

Long before thread spools were invented, thread was sold in hanks or skeins. In the early 1800's, domestic sewing machines started to become popular, and wooden spools were milled to sell thread. Back then, it was possible to return the spools and have them refilled. How cool is that?

Spools have changed a lot over the years, but this simple block pays homage to those gorgeous wooden spools that we all love and covert.  I think most of us have a little vintage spool collection and they're generally passed down through the generations or found in antique shops.

My first memory of a wooden thread spool was lining up my nan's collection and pretending I owned a haberdashery shop. The colours fascinated me, and I adored the wooden spools whether that had thread on them or not, and I still do today.

Block Design:

The Spool block is drafted using a 3 x 3 grid:

The block is constructed using a mix of squares and HST units. To determine the size of your units, simply divide the block size by three and add your seam allowances - this means your HST units should measure this size unfinished.

In next week's Spool block tutorial, I'll provide a Cutting Chart for six sizes to help you sew these gorgeous blocks in future projects, without having to worry about all the math.

There are other ways to sew this block, but I'll be showing you the traditional nine patch way and I'll share a few tips along the way to make it easier.

Colour Values:

When choosing colour values for the Spool block, make sure you have enough contrast between the dark and light fabrics to make that spool pop.

One colourful print and a light background fabric is enough to make the Spool block shine. The first two diagrams are commonly referred to as empty spools, but you can add a third fabric (third diagram) to represent the thread or a full spool.

Next week is my step by step tutorial for a basic Spool block, so make sure you download and print my free colouring sheet to plan some blocks to sew along with me.

Grab your colouring pencils, crayons or markers and get creative!

Antique Inspiration:

{photos from Google Images}

Antique quilts offer wonderful inspiration, and these examples have me craving a Spool quilt of my own. Aren't they pretty? I love a good scrappy quilt and these have me drooling.

There are a few different layout options in these examples, and I think my favorite is the one with the green strips in between. Which one gives you all the feels?

I hope these quilts give you some inspiration for planning your own Spool quilt. Grab your scrap bins and sew something colourful, fun and dear to your heart!

So, here's what to expect over the coming weeks in my Spool Classic Quilt Blocks series:

• Week Two: A step by step tutorial for a basic Spool block and ideas for adapting this little cutie. Plus, a Cutting Chart for you to download and print with six sizes for all your future projects, and a Colouring Sheet for Week Three's tutorial.

• Week Three: A step by step tutorial for another version of the Spool block, and this one is pretty!

• Week Four: Some of my favorite Spool quilts to inspire you to sew a version of your own!

And that's my introduction to the Spool block. It's such a pretty block and it's a gorgeous representation of our vintage thread spools. This month's Classic Quilt Blocks series is going to be fun and I can't wait to share all the posts!

The next post will be live on Thursday April 9 due to Good Friday!

Happy quilting :)