String Spool Tutorial

104 comments
Last Friday I showed my spool quilt from scraps and strings of fabric that I made several years ago.
I had so many sweet comments and also some questions so I decided to do a little tutorial showing you how incredibly simple it is to make this spool block.
I pulled pinks from my scrap bin making sure they were at least 4 1/2" in length and various widths. I cut a neutral fabric with 2 strips 4 1/2" x 1 1/2" and 4 squares 1 1/2". You can use any color fabric to represent the spool, cut 2 in 6 1/2" x 1 1/2" lengths.
I sewed the pink strips together and using my 4 1/2" square ruler I sliced off the edges to make the pink 4 1/2" square of string/strips.
My idea was that by putting like colors together it would look somewhat like variegated thread when the block was finished.
Oops this turned out blurry. I then stitched the 2 neutral strips I cut 4 1/2" x 1 1/2" to the sides of the pink block.
Using the snow ball method I placed my 1 1/2" square neutral squares to the ends of the turquoise strips.
I stitched along the diagonal from corner to corner attaching the turquoise strip to the neutral squares.
I trimmed a seam allowance and then pressed the seam outwards.
Placing the turquoise strips as above I stitched the ends to the pink block to make the spool.
And with a finish press I have my completed spool block. From start to finish this block can't take more than minutes. Could it be easier and more fun?
Obviously stitching the strings or strips together can be production sewn in between projects (ala leaders and enders style) and then cut into individual blocks and finish sewn later.

-nanette
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104 comments

Thimbleanna said...

That's such a cute block Nanette - thanks for the instructions!

Asiyah said...

That is so kind of you to put together the tutorial. Thanks Nanette!

LiahonaGirl said...

Darling design! Thanks for sharing.
Nancy
http://bountifulheirlooms.blogspot.com/

Pat said...

Great tutorial...thanks!!! (I thought it was going to be a lot more complicated than that!!!)

Lurline said...

Great quilt!Nice tutorial,thanks Nanette
Hugs - Lurline♥

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Neat-O!! Just what I needed - another project. :) Thanks, Nanette!

calicodaisy said...

Good job! You make it very easy to see how all the parts get together. It's such a vintagey design. -- michele

beth said...

thank you. That's one quilt I want to make!

quiltmom anna said...

What a great block and tutorial, Nanette- I really like this and would like to make a wallhanging version for my sewing room or maybe a cuddle quilt for my sewing chair-- hmmmmm
Looks like it is so easy and quick.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Regards,
Anna

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh Nanette, You make it look so easy, I love quiltmom's idea of a smaller one for the sewing room. Thank you for the Great tutorial!

Mel said...

Perfect!! Love the uneven threads particularly!

jabeybaby said...

You make it look so easy! Thanks for showing us how to make this super cute block!

Trisha said...

I am so excited that you did a tutorial. Now I don't have to do the work/math to figure out how you did it. I really want to make one with my strings/scraps. Thanks, Nanette for sharing. You are truly generous.

Mimi Sue said...

A gorgeous quilt,as usual. Hope to get to my craft room soon. too many other things going on right now. Mimi

Nedra said...

What a great way to help use up all those scraps I have collected over the years.

Quiltpiecer said...

This is great! Thanks so much for sharing the instructions!

RG said...

This is really great thanks Nanette,
It really is such a lovely quilt!
Gotta love scraps!!
Thanks so much.
hugs
Robyn xx

Ulla said...

Thank you for the tutorial, it made the job seem very easy!

Betsy said...

Thank you Nanette, it looks great!

*karendianne. said...

Gosh how great is this? It's superfantastical GREAT! Love the hanging quilt as well. That's a real big "inspire" if I ever did see one.

Anonymous said...

Great quilt! I'm always looking for new ways to use my strips and strings! Thanks!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

Thank you! You explain it so well that even I could do this:)

Unknown said...

Thanks for showing us how it is done! This was one of my faves too. Great little quilt!

Anita in Florida said...

Thank you so much for that great tutorial!

alobsiger said...

THANK YOU, Nanette! Thanks for sharing the directions with us -- I now think I know what I'm going to do with all of my string scraps! What a pretty quilt!

Darlene said...

Thank you, thank you, wonderful tutorial. :-)

carole ann said...

Thanks for sharing, it seems so simple. They do turn out the best though.

Sue said...

Thanks so much for sharing. I'm on my way and have made 9 spools already. You are an inspiration.

Needled Mom said...

Very cute, Nanette! I'd like to do one of those for my sewing room.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much! I'm going to try this, it's adorable and a great way to use those scraps! I also posted a link to this on my blog, I think it will post on the 25th. I finished a "spools" wall hanging so it just seemed to go hand-in-hand with what I posted. And I love the scrappiness of your quilt! xo, The Other Nanette

Purple Quilter Queen said...

How did you know I was secretly wishing you would show us how those were made!!?!?! I even printed an enlarged picture of it to try to figure out how you did them. Yours is just beautiful! I'm definitely adding this one to my project list! Thanks for sharing! Jenn

Sherri said...

Thanks so much Nanette! I must make one of these...soon!!!

Brandie said...

Thank you the tutorial. What a great scrap buster. I'm going to get around to it soon.

sallgood said...

So cute! Thanks for the tute!

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Too cute! Another quilt project that I would love to make!! This blogging thing is like a daily stroll through "quilting candyland"...........so many colorful things to do and I can't make up my mind which to do first and where will I find the time?!! LOL!! One thing for sure.....quilter's are never bored!

Jan said...

That was soooooo sweet of you Nanette! Tks so much :)

Julie said...

That is darling. What a great way to use scraps. Thanks for showing us how you did it. Very cute. Have a super day. Julie

pratima said...

Thank you for the tutorial, Nanette. The spools look so cute with the scrappy bits :)

strawberrycream39 said...

Now that sure looks easy...even for me! Thanks for taking the time to make a tutorial Nanette. I think this is a great way to remember favorite fabrics.

Sharleen said...

Thank you thank you for showing us how you did this quilt that I LOVE! You make it look so easy I want to try it myself.

hetty said...

So kind of you to post a tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

V. here... Thanks for sharing... Precious quilt.. Thanks again. lots of ideas from you!!

Julia said...

Great tutorialNanette, so easy to follow...thanks. Julia ♥

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Nanette,
This is so clever. I think this would be a great way to showcase my old collection of fabrics from when I first began sewing. I've got a box labeled "my sewing scraps and many are from the 70's and 80's and I want to do something to preserve them. This quilt is perfect. And you are right, that the strips almost look like spools of thread. Some of the old spools were dark green so I am going to look for just the right shade and this is definitely a quilt I want to do. It just got higher on my list after seeing your tutorial. :-)

Janet said...

It is easy, thanks for showing how it's done. I love it.

Gayle said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Blogless me said...

Big thanks for the tutorial. This is a quilt That most beautifully displays scraps that otherwise might end up in the bin. Quite inspirational!

Kim said...

so cute thanks for the tutorial

Molly said...

i love this like you can't even imagine! wooden spools are one of my favorite items ever, and i'm definitely going to make a wall hanging with this pattern. thank you so much for sharing!!!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

thank you for showing us how you did that :) I am thinking of making a border something like what you have on this quilt on the scrap quilt that I am making right now with a skinny border between what I have now and the scrappy border.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Red Geranium Cottage said...

LOVE IT!!!
Great quilt Nanette.

Lori Holt said...

I love it Nanette.
This makes me want to do another string quilt. I have made several over the years and I just never get tired of the scrappy look and getting a beautiful quilt out of scraps that otherwise might have been thrown away.
Thanks for the great tute!
lori

HoopDeeDoo said...

Love it! This is definitely on my to-do list now!!

Carrie P. said...

So cute. Great way to use scraps.

Unknown said...

Darn it: I just today got rid of a bunch of scraps that I just didn't think I'd ever use....I just might and with your little tuts, it just might work.
Thanks for posting that Nanette...darn it!

JariJari said...

awesome tute, Nanette! TFS!!

Simone de Klerk said...

Thank you for the great tutorial and the wonderful inspiration! Gives me new ideas for my projects I still want to start.

Cathie in UT said...

Hope you are back to normal now health wise.
I love those spool blocks and wonder if I could share them with my New Friends Quilt Group?
I think they would be a fun project for them to do and we will be planning the first part of Feb for the rest of the year.
Let me know when you have a minute!

jacquie said...

variegated thread spools...genius! this is a really cute way to use scraps too!

Lily Boot said...

Oooooh Nanette - this is truly gorgeous! I love your cheery wonderful colours and the border sets it off so beautifully. Such a shame you were sick over Christmas - the flu is awful. But what a cutie that Allison is - those smiles would sure cheer me up too!

Retrogirl said...

That tute is FANTASTIC! What a wonderful use of scraps. I can't bear to discard any of fabric, especially the 30s reproductions!!
THANK YOU!!!!

Barbara said...

I don't think I've ever been so tempted to tackle a quilting project - so pretty, and such a good way to use all those tiny bits I can't bear to part with. Lovely as always, Nanette!

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Sewgreen said...

Hello!!
I just thought I would let you know that I have started my own spools quilt!!
here is what I have so far!
http://sewgreenm.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-no-longer-mystery.html#comments

Cindy said...

It's always good to find new blog that inspires, like you have here. Many thanks for the tutorial.

Cindy@silk flower arrangements

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Darlene Barnes Rosner said...

Oh thank you, I saw this picture on Freda's Hive & immediately fell in love. I am on my 10th spool already and it is still early afternoon! I plan to make a wall hanging for my sewing room.

Your blog/website is just wonderful. Thank you, thank you.

Darlene

Darlene Barnes Rosner said...

http://barnes-girl.blogspot.com/2010/11/scrap-happy-wip-works-in-progress-spool.html

Again, thank you for the lovely tutorial and inspiration.

-Darlene in Canada!

Lurline said...

Love you Sweet, thanks for a great tutorial!
Hugs - Lurline♥

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The project looks gorgeous, I like the pattern so much. With the tutorial you have here, I can do it as well, thanks to you. :)

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I loved this and made a small one for myself. You can see it at:

I am very pleased with the way it turned out. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

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I love this, cant wait to make on for myself! Thanks for sharing!

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Anonymous said...

Nanette,
Thank you for this tutorial! I will be making this quilt~ ♥

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