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In the days of our grandmothers, the spool motif played an important part in
the making of wooden beds, stool legs and whatnots. It even was inspiration
for the making of this quaint quilt pattern. Imagine how charming a spool
coverlet would look on a Jenny Lind or an old-fashioned "spool bed." However,
one does not have to possess a bed of either type to make a spool quilt.
These blocks are rather difficult to piece, as the ends of the four-side pieces
set into an angle when sewed onto the center block. This could be overcome by
changing the pattern so that the center square cuts into 4 triangles, plus
seams. By sewing these onto the short sides of the outside pieces, 4 large
triangles are formed. These 4 large triangles sewed together to form the 6-inch
block make straight sewing all the way. To piece from the pattern as
given, sew the short sides of the outside blocks onto the center square, then
fold and sew corner seams.
The small diagrams show two methods of setting the finished blocks together.
Either method could be used for an all-over pattern of solid blocks or joined
into strips 2 blocks wide, the desired length of the quilt and set together
with white strips 6 inches wide, to run the length of the bed.
Since we so strongly advocate borders on quilts, why not appropriate a row of
spools, like one half of the upper placing for a spool border to use on most
any patchwork you happen to be making?
Material Estimate: Allow extra for seams if the blocks are to
finish six inches square. Set together 14 blocks wide by 15 blocks long,
without plain strips or blocks, it will require 210 pieced blocks and will
finish about 84 by 90 inches. You will need 4 1/2 yards of print and 3 1/2 yards
of white material. However, you will have a more effective quilt and less work
if an all-over center is planned, then a wide band of plain white for fancy
quilting, then a spool border and a final row the darker color.
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