I love the spool block. It’s the quilt that a quilter makes for herself. 🙂
This easy quilt block tutorial includes cutting instructions for the 18” block (like I made) and a 12” block.
In each block, I used three fabrics: one light value fabric, one medium value fabric, and one dark value fabric. A couple of the ‘dark value’ fabrics weren’t very dark, but it’s all relative within the block.
Cutting instructions for an 18” block:
With the light value fabric, cut 2 squares 5 3/8” and 2 rectangles 5” x 9 1/2”
With the dark value fabric, cut 2 squares 5 3/8” and 2 rectangles 5” x 9 1/2”
With the medium value fabric, cut 1 square 9 1/2”
Cutting instructions for a 12” block:
With the light value fabric, cut 2 squares 3 7/8” and 2 rectangles 3 1/2” x 6 1/2”
With the dark value fabric, cut 2 squares 3 7/8” and 2 rectangles 3 1/2” x 6 1/2”
With the medium value fabric, cut 1 square 6 1/2”
1. Use your 2 light value squares and 2 dark value squares to make 4 half square triangles. There is a great method for this that I showed in detail in the Friendship Star Block Tutorial.
2. Arrange the 4 half square triangles and the other pieces in a 9-patch grid as shown.
3. Sew each row together and press. Then join the rows.
Make 4 to form the Spinning Spools. I especially like the little pinwheel that appears in the center when you put them together this way.
If you like this easy quilt block tutorial, you can find more in my Pinterest Board here.
Sew an organizer covered with pockets that you can hang in your closet! This easy sewing project is great for organizing sewing and craft supplies, fashion accessories, bathroom necessities, gift wrappings, and more. There are pockets on both sides plus a big interior pocket so every bit of space is used. I’ll show you easy step by step instructions for sewing this organizer and putting it to use in your home. Get sew organized today.
Are you sewing a Closet Organizer with me? I hope so! This is Part 2 of our free sewing tutorial for an amazing organizer with a coat hanger inside so you can hang it anywhere.
If you are getting started, make sure you start at Part 1 of the free pattern.
Be a basketmaker! Sure, you can sew, but did you know that you can make amazing baskets too using your sewing machine, some fabric and the same materials that you use for your other projects?
Have you fallen in love with Quilt as You Go yet? It’s a fun technique for quilts, of course, but I’m having lots of fun using it for pouches and tote bags too.
I’m so excited to share with you the pattern for our first mini quilt of 2018… Flora! This beautiful little quilt was designed by the very talented Lauren of Molly & Mama…
At my daughter Chloe’s high school (can you believe my baby started high school???), the lunch lines are so long that she has been skipping lunch! She’s always starving by the time she gets home because she doesn’t want to carry a big lunch bag as well as her heavy backpack – poor girl!
Looking for free table runner patterns? I gathered up all my favorites in one place – here are free quilt patterns for table runners for fall, winter, spring and summer!
I am so in love with the beautiful look of simple patchwork quilts with lots of squares. This is the perfect way to use up fabric scraps like I did, or you can make a beautifully coordinated quilt with pre-cut 2 1/2’’ square fabric pieces that come in mini-charm packs.
I’m also in love with the process. If you feel like quilt making is your escape from the world and sitting down to sew for a few hours makes your troubles fade away… this is the quilt for you!
Sew an easy beautiful apron with this free sewing pattern that only uses one yard of fabric! Whether you are sewing for yourself or for a friend, an apron always comes in handy and makes a great gift. This blog post includes a link to a free template that I digitized for you.
Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
Lots of you have asked how I use Face Mask Material to make my face masks work better. I am not using the material to make sewn face masks, but instead I’ve been making filters that fit inside my DIY fabric face masks.
New data has come out that suggests using a filter inside your handmade masks makes them much more effective. I think that’s something that we’ve all already known, but now there is testing that backs up our efforts to make face mask filters.
You can use your leftover or orphan (aka UFO) quilt blocks to make cute potholders! It’s a great last minute gift, housewarming present, or even teacher gift. See how I used some unfinished quilt blocks to make handmade patchwork potholders in practically no time at all.
Roselee from Jane of All Trades is here today to show us her tips for making the business card holder in our Archives. She does such a beautiful job… I LOVE this business card holder pattern from The Crafty Cupboard. …
Finally this past week I got the itch to quilt (after all the practical sewing I’ve been doing lately). Not to piece anything or select fabrics for a new quilt (although I do love those parts). No, I just wanted to quilt.
Organizing is fun with you have pretty handmade accessories to help! Check out these 21 free sewing projects with easy patterns and tutorials to help you organize your home. You can easily keep your sewing and craft supplies clean, neat, and organized. with these quick and easy projects, come see!
This is beautiful, and one that I can (truly) see making for myself! The fabric is perfect. Thank you so much, and thank you for the patterns! Pinned! 🙂
Those are certainly yummy fabrics. Your blocks look fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial!
This is beautiful, and one that I can (truly) see making for myself! The fabric is perfect. Thank you so much, and thank you for the patterns! Pinned! 🙂