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How to Sew a Spool and Bobbin Quilt Block
The Spool and Bobbin quilt block is a charming sewing-themed design that's perfect for beginner quilters. It uses simple fabric rectangles for the spool and bobbin pieces set against a background square — a delightful nod to the craft of sewing!
Materials Needed
- Fabric for the spool and bobbin pieces
- Fabric for the background
- Sewing machine and thread
- Scissors and rotary cutter
- Cutting mat and ruler
- Iron and ironing board
Cutting Guide
- Spool: one rectangle 3" × 5"
- Bobbin: one rectangle 3" × 2½"
- Background: one square 6½" × 6½"
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Fold the spool fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the long edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Turn right side out and press flat.
- Fold the bobbin fabric in half widthwise, right sides together, and sew along the short edge with a ¼" seam allowance. Turn right side out and press flat.
- Place the spool on the left side and the bobbin on the right side of the background square.
- Sew the spool and bobbin pieces to the background square with a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seams flat.
- Trim the block to 6" × 6".
- Repeat to create as many Spool and Bobbin blocks as needed for your quilt.
Arrange your finished blocks in any pattern you like and sew them together to create your quilt top!
Corner Square Technique
Use this technique to add precise corner triangles to any block unit.
Sew the squares together.
Mark the wrong side of the unit with a pencil line, aligning the corners of the squares and the intersection of the seams.
Line up the corner of the square or triangle you will add to the corner of the unit.
Sew a seam one thread's width from the marked line — this tiny allowance makes room for the fold of the fabric so the triangle point isn't cut off. Fold the triangle into position using the squares to assist alignment, then press.
Trim away excess fabric to reduce bulk, leaving a ¼" seam allowance and trimming the ears.
Four Patch Technique
The secret to the perfect four patch is pressing seams so they butt together when joined.
Cut two A squares and two B squares. Using chain piecing, join one A square to one B square, right sides together, with a scant ¼" seam allowance. Press toward the dark fabric.
Press all seams toward the dark fabric so they butt up. Place the two A/B units right sides together, butting seams. Pin if needed, join with a scant ¼" seam allowance, then press.
You can apply this technique to all kinds of four patch blocks. As long as a block has a 4×4 grid, the basic principles apply.
How to Resize Quilt Blocks
The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on your finished block size. You can base this on doubling a pattern, cutting it in half, or working with your available fabric.
Note: When working from a pattern's cutting instructions, remove the seam allowance before scaling. For example, if your pattern calls for 3½″ squares, subtract the seam allowance (½″), double the finished size (3″ → 6″), then add the seam allowance back (½″) — giving you a 6½″ cut piece.
Resizing Square Blocks
Add ½″ to your finished block measurement. For a 4″ finished square, cut a 4½″ square of fabric.
Resizing Rectangular Blocks
Add ½″ to both the length and width. To double a 3″ × 4″ block, cut a 6½″ × 8½″ rectangle.
Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks
Add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished HST block, cut 4⅞″ squares.
Resizing Quarter Square Triangle Blocks
Add 1¼″ to the desired finished block size. For a 4″ finished block, cut 5¼″ squares.
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