Quilt block · Four-patch · Advanced
Spool quilt block
A light square framed by four trapezoids, dark across the top and bottom and light at the sides, like thread on a spool. Also called Empty Spool.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
2 trapezoids
- B2 rectangles 7¼″ × 2″trim both ends at 45°, from the corners of one long side
Dark · Navy in the picture
2 trapezoids
- B2 rectangles 7¼″ × 2″trim both ends at 45°, from the corners of one long side
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
The center square
- A1 square 3½″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
2 trapezoids
- B2 rectangles 10¼″ × 2¾″trim both ends at 45°, from the corners of one long side
Dark · Navy in the picture
2 trapezoids
- B2 rectangles 10¼″ × 2¾″trim both ends at 45°, from the corners of one long side
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
The center square
- A1 square 5″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
2 trapezoids
- B2 rectangles 13¼″ × 3½″trim both ends at 45°, from the corners of one long side
Dark · Navy in the picture
2 trapezoids
- B2 rectangles 13¼″ × 3½″trim both ends at 45°, from the corners of one long side
Light · Powder Blue in the picture
The center square
- A1 square 6½″
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Sew the set-in seams
These pieces meet where a straight seam can’t run right across, so they’re joined with set-in (Y) seams. Mark the ¼″ seam points at each piece’s corners. Sew each seam only from mark to mark, backstitching at both ends, so the seam allowances stay free; sew the two seams into the corner, then pivot and sew the last one. Press the allowances so they swirl round the point. The part measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Sew the set-in seams
These pieces meet where a straight seam can’t run right across, so they’re joined with set-in (Y) seams. Mark the ¼″ seam points at each piece’s corners. Sew each seam only from mark to mark, backstitching at both ends, so the seam allowances stay free; sew the two seams into the corner, then pivot and sew the last one. Press the allowances so they swirl round the point. The part measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Sew the set-in seams
These pieces meet where a straight seam can’t run right across, so they’re joined with set-in (Y) seams. Mark the ¼″ seam points at each piece’s corners. Sew each seam only from mark to mark, backstitching at both ends, so the seam allowances stay free; sew the two seams into the corner, then pivot and sew the last one. Press the allowances so they swirl round the point. The part measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
More like this: Four-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Spool the same block as Empty Spool?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Empty Spool as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 4 × 4 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, 14″, 15″, 16″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Not as drawn: it has set-in (Y) seams, where three seams meet and none runs straight through. Piece it with a rotary cutter and templates instead, as the cutting list above does.
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an advanced block: 5 pieces in 2 different shapes, set-in (Y) seams and 4 points to match. Practise the hard seams on scraps first. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.