Thursday, March 4, 2010

Decisions, klosjes part II

I've had these fabrics for awhile with the idea that they would play together really well  in a quilt one day  To me, they look a bit "oldy worldy English" They seem to be mostly muted tones and this collection is what I've decided on to make the klosjes, little spools blocks.

Sometimes choosing fabrics and colours is a hard decision to make, I could just as easily have gone reproduction, reds and creams, scrappy anything goes or with some other theme or colour scheme.
I like to make quilts that you wouldn't necessarily be able to put my name to. I like variety and flexibility and a bit of a change now and again, but in the end, colours and fabrics have to be decided upon. That's not to say that minds can't be changed down the track.
I've had some queries about finding a tutorial or print out of templates so here it is in my finished size. Just remember to add seam allowances. It is based on a nine patch and I think the drawing is self explanatory. If you wanted, you could elongate  the size of the center square to make it look more like a spool. You don't even need graph paper to draw this, you just need to start with an accurate square.
I should add here that a lot of these little blocks are being made by others to finish at 2 1/2"
Usually there isn't just one given name for a patchwork block, there can be many and some would call the spools a bow tie or visa versa. That's not wrong but here's a drawing of what I understood a bow tie block to be. It's drawn in a four patch grid rather than a nine patch. I guess both could be called spools or bow ties.
The other question I got asked is how to arrange the block for easy machine piecing without set in or Y seams so I drew that out too and made a practice block. You would of course add seam allowances to the drawing as before.
Adding the half inch all around for seams, these are the measurements for a 3" block if you were to rotary cut it. Easy peasy!
Sewing the corners. I do trim off the excess behind the patch.
I really don't know if this is quicker than hand piecing, there are more patches to cut but hey, we like choices.
Roll on Saturday, klosjes day.

36 comments:

Nat Palaskas said...

Thanks Janet for the easy instrucion. It's very clear and easy to understand. I love your collection of fabrics. The quilt will be beautiful using those - Hugs Nat

Darlene said...

Love the fabrics you're planning to use, Janet.

Last year 5 blog friends and I exchanged spool blocks and machine pieced them just as you explained at the bottom of your tutorial - they really do stitch up quickly. Albeit lots of cutting but once that's done you sew, sew, sew

LOL

susis quilts said...

love your english fabric collection,this will look great with the spool pattern,susi

Crispy said...

Love the fabrics Janet, just reinforces my belief that you have one beautiful stash of fabric :o)

As a hand piecer, my spools only have 5 pieces to the pattern, but then I don't mind doing "y" seams LOL.

Crispy

Shirley said...

Hi Janet,
Did mine the way you have drawn the first block and hand pieced them. I love it that way, it is quick, simple and portable. Like your fabric choices. That will make a lot of blocks.
Shirley.

Unknown said...

Very good instruction!! Although the fabrics that you are choosing may be more on the muted side. I really like it! And I am not a muted fabric girl.

Robin said...

Nice tutorial! And I love the fabrics you've chosen. Gorgeous! They do sort of have that old world feel too them.

Anonymous said...

I'm such a muted gal..those colors are my kinda spools for sure! Though must admit still love all the brights and cheerful colors you work with. Your little tutorial is wonderful.

Barb said...

Thanks for the great instructions and photos - I'm printing it for my file for future use -

Quilterbee said...

When I looked at your graph picture I saw the first row as 1/2 square triangle, square, 1/2 square triangle. The middle row as square, square, square. The last row as 1/2 square triangle, square, 1/2 square triangle.

Thank you for posting the measurements and the how to's for us.

Abby and Stephanie said...

The first spool blocks I ever did had set in seams and I nearly threw them out the window. Now I make my spools just like this. Beautiful color palette you're working with.

*karendianne. said...

Gosh, this is a super great post!!! One of my favorite posts ever. Why? The eye candy, the way you share your thoughts - things we can all relate to (selecting fabrics) and then you sharing how you draft and create your spool. Oh Janet, you are SUCH A SHARING SORT OF TREASURE.

I wasn't going to get involved in this because I'm very busy with my other things but here I am over coffee thinking - gee, I could do a few, couldn't I? Distracted again... This time I might just have to actually allow myself. Mmm. You're delightful and I thank you so much for bringing this little punkin' block to life, sharing it and turning us all onto another love! Can I just tell you that your stash is to-die-for!

antique quilter said...

very pretty fabrics. I drew it out the same way you did, LOVE my graph paper, as I will be machine piecing mine!
predictable Kathie though...repros, its what I have!

Lori said...

I love the fabrics you chose for this quilt. Great tutorial-very clear and consise!!

Thimbleanna said...

Your fabrics are beautiful Janet. I can't wait to see all those little spools on a quilt! I think it's really fun too, how many different ways there are to piece this block.

Karen said...

I visited Ingrid's blog this morning so I could see your inspiration. Your chosen fabrics are so pretty and will look good in the little spools.

wishes, true and kind said...

Nice tutorial -- thank you! If I make any, I will do it by machine, and your way is more efficient than I think I would have come up with on my own. Roll on, Saturday!

Stina Blomgren said...

Ohh.. Janet.. Thiose fabrics are just so IT.. wish I had them in my stash... so so sweet ones.. your spools are going to the most wonderful ones... and havens seen them yet...;o)) But I KNOW!!! :o)

Anonymous said...

Thanks, for the instruction. I came across the same blogs a couple of days ago and also felt inspired to make some klosjes.

Dolores said...

Janet, I just had to say I do like your line, "I like to make quilts that you wouldn't necessarily be able to put my name to." So many people stick with one colour group, one theme, one way of doing what they do. I remember years ago going to a quilt show and I knew who some of the makers were just by their colour scheme. It's nice to mix it up. It adds interest. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I think the fabrics you have chosen are very soft and pretty. They should make a beautiful quilt.
Well written, consise tutorial on those blocks!
Thank you for sharing...above and beyond! :)

Janet said...

Thanks for such excellent instructions Janet! My those are pretty fabrics - your spool quilt is going to be lovely!

Janet said...

Great tutorial. Going through fabrics and grouping them is one of the joys of quilting. I'm just about to do a mini historic sampler and spools is included.

Ginny Worden said...

What a great tutorial, and exactly what my little head was thinking about last night when I went to bed and couldn't sleep. I may just have to get started on my own spools. Thanks, Janet.
Happy Sewing.

Loris said...

Thank you, Janet. What a thoughtful gesture cuz you KNOW we all want to make these cute blocks. Love the fabrics you are using.

Carrie P. said...

Great instructions!

Barb said...

Your fabrics are lovely and your tutorial is great!

Deb said...

Great instructions Janet, I think I quite like this block although when I get around to attempting it is another story. Absolutely loving all of those fabrics.mmmmm
hugs Deb

Sue-Anne said...

Your fabric choice is lovely. It is going to look sooo good!

Kaaren said...

Now why did I think it was going to be so difficult?

I think I have to make some of these klosjes now that you've shown us how.

Thanks, Janet...and that's a for real thanks...not tongue-in-cheek. (wink)

Julia said...

Great instructions Janet..
I'm opting for the hand piecing, the first one you showed..easy to take out and do in the vening while watching..well listening to the TV.
I'm leaving mine as they are and going to use up some of my smaller repro fabric pieces..
Julia ♥

julieQ said...

Thank you...I was wondering about the block! I like the connector method, and I really appreciate your excellent instruction.

quiltcat said...

many many thanks for the instruction, its very nice from you. now I will start the spools with many of my scraps. when someone is done, I will send you a foto.
wish you a wonderful weekend
mg elfriede/österreich

Janet said...

Those spools are adorable. Thank-you for taking the time to do a tutorial. I think I might do mine on the machine with 1/2 square triangles. I have been wanting to do a spool quilt for a while and have collected a lot of the Kaffe fassett stripes I think I give them a try for the centers.

alobsiger said...

The only thing I can say at this time is: Uh-oh. :-)

SewCalGal said...

You do write such great instructions. Thank you so much.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com