This week’s block from the
Patchsmith’s Sampler pattern book is the Block 11 – “Buttons and Spools”. It looks a little unbalanced when made due to the seam allowances but don't worry - once it is stitched into a project or quilt it will look perfect.
I would rate this block as 'difficult' and suitable for experienced patchers as you are dealing with small
pieces of fabric. However, if you are new to patchwork I have two larger blocks to share with you - either of which can be used in place of the trickier Block 11.
If ‘Spools’ are your thing then you can
substitute a Large Spool Block for Block 11.
Large Spools are easier and you can have fun with the thread section |
To make a Large Spool block you will need to cut the pattern pieces as follows:
A – Two 6½” x 2”
rectangles (spool fabric)
B – One 3½” square (thread
fabric)
C – Two 2 x 3½” background
rectangles
D – Four 2” background
squares.
You can add an extra touch
by constructing the thread square (piece B) from three 3½” x 1½” strips of
fabric as I did for the large yellow spool.
Create a fun three-thread middle for the Large Spool Block |
Or you could go one step
further and stitch six 3½” x 1” strips together to create a more detailed
thread square (piece B).
It really is quite simple to add interest to the Large Spool block. |
Whichever thread option you choose, just follow the ‘Spool Block’ instructions for Block 11 and you should end up with a Large Spool block measuring 6½” square.
Those small buttonholes measure just ¼” each! |
So if you are new to patchwork or your ¼” seams are not quite there yet I would recommend making a Large Button Block instead.
To make the Large Button Block you will need to cut your pieces as follows:
E – Two 1¼” x 2½” black
(buttonhole) rectangles
F – Two 1” x 2½” rectangles
(button fabric)
G – Two 2½” squares (button
fabric)
H – Two 6½” x 2½”
rectangles (button fabric)
J – Four 2¼” background
squares.
The 'large' buttonhole unit should measure 2½" square |
Continue with the pattern to make a Large Button Block which measures 6½" square once step 8 is completed.
And as an extra bonus if you make two Large Spool and two Large Button blocks.....
Four Large Blocks come together |
.....you can stitch them together to create one big 12" (finished size) Buttons and Spools block. Now that really is an awful lot of fun to be had from one little block pattern.
A 12" Buttons and Spools Block. |
You can find all the blocks from the book HERE or by clicking on the tab at the top of the page.
UntiI next time I look forward to seeing your blocks on Instagram (block11buttonsandspools) or in the Flickr Group.
UntiI next time I look forward to seeing your blocks on Instagram (block11buttonsandspools) or in the Flickr Group.
Thank you very much. Great AND pretty work.
ReplyDelete