I have spools on the brain. I spend my lunches at work searching Google Image for spool quilt blocks. I have collected a little list of Chorme bookmarks for spool quilts I dig and made a mini spool mini quilt. I even tried a few (semi-successful) spools myself, but they were not for me. It's still not enough.
But when I found this tutorial, my search was over. I fell in love with those little Aurifil spool blocks and have not looked back since. I am hoping to ask my Modern Irish Bee buddies to make blocks like these next month, so I wanted to give them a little test run.
There are super easy to follow instructions for three block sizes (small, medium, large), so I quickly cranked out 4 of each spool. I dug through my trusty basket and pulled out semi-monochromatic fabrics for the thread colors and then red and orange solids for the spools/spindle. I would love to include Aurifil grey and green spindle/spools in the final quilt. I'm working on that right now.
Anyway, you know how it is with these trial runs. It takes nearly as long to dig out the fabric and cut as it does to piece, so why not make 4 in the time it would take me to make 1? I dove in.
I think the medium sized spools are my favorite. They're large enough to show off a print (5.5 x 7.5" unfinished), but small enough to be pretty darned cute. I went for grey, navy (above), pink (below) and DS yellow. Each one of them made my heart flutter. I know their base and spindle look a little over exaggerated, but mentally just cut off 0.25 inches of each in the seam and they're right back in (super cute) proportion.
This little corner of my design wall makes me want to stop everything I'm doing and make more! I will resist, though. Just have to wait a few more days and then I can strike out as Miss February in our bee. The shortest month, but these are so quick and easy I don't think the ladies will complain.
19 comments:
It's brilliant, well done for persevering to find a tutorial that worked for you. Can't wait to see what your bee mates come up with.
Those are fun.... Can't wait to see more!
How cute! Of course, anything to do with Aurifil and I'm in... :-)That's a great Bee block, especially when other people contribute from their stash. Those are my favourites!
My favourite is the big orange one :-)
And I agree, the little ones don't have that "spool-ish-ness" that the medium and big ones do. Would be a cute border though. How cute would this be as a wall hanging for the sewing room! Ooh, I think I am inspired now :-)
E xx
love those spool blocks! and funny that aurifil is so famous that it has its own special blocks. i wonder what quilters of the future will think if they come across your quilt. will they know what it represents?
I LOVE this! Why didn't I think of this is what I am saying to myself, hahaha!
They look great! Looking forward to Sat to getting started!
This is a great block. Your bee mates will have fun making them.
woohoo.Aurifil spools! you are genius.
Hi Cindy! Really cute spools! I can understand that you can't stop making them. x Teje
Oh you are going to have Alex go potty over this!!!
Oooh, looking forward to seeing that all come together :o)
Very cute!
Oh it is going to be beautiful. I love all the vibrant colours!
Pretty spools and what a great quilt they will make. Di x
What no stars? great choice as ever though Cindy and am tempted to give them a go....oh no!
I like these spools too and I'm thinking I might pick a spool block for my bee block.
I really really love these spools, can't wait to do mine!
This is going to be a wonderful quilt!!!
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