Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Join the club

I've jumped on another bandwagon! Despite my best intentions not to be tempted by new projects, this one just kept beckoning me. Klosjes, Dutch for little spools have been slowly spreading around blogland and the world.
I first watched Ingrid from Supergoof as she sewed her way through hundreds of these tiny little blocks, all handpieced.
In the Netherlands, there are a lot of quilters who dedicate their Saturdays to sewing klosjes.
I saw Valentina's and Nadine's and that was it, I caught the bug. I tried a couple of practice blocks first, one 2 1/2" finished and one 3" finished. I am going with the 3" so I won't need so many and I if I get sick of them, I can always do a medalion center for them.
I thought I would go with a lot of red, pink and tan colours and add the others as I go if I like the look of them. So far, I like them a lot.
The blocks are easily drafted as it's a simple nine patch. Watch out for updates as I dedicate my Saturdays to little spools, will you join me?

50 comments:

Karen said...

They are sweet looking and it is easy to be tempted with them. Enjoy your Saturday Klosjes.

Anonymous said...

WELCOME into the playground, dear Janet ! This is so much fun, and such a pleasure having you with us...
Your "klosjes" are soo cute, I bet you're gonna make a lot of these !
"See" you on Saturday, dear ;>)

XOXOXOXOXO
NADINE

Dolores said...

I like your colours. I take it you are hand piecing?

Anonymous said...

Are these hand piecing? Spools have always been one of my favorites.

Nedra said...

Janet, I've already made a larger version of the little spools. We call it a "Bow Tie" quilt here in the U.S.
Wish I could join you, but too many other quilt projects with deadlines on the horizon.
Good luck with your group. I'll be watching.

Robin said...

So cute! I can see how you were tempted. :) I love the colors you're choosing too... vintage and romantic looking.

Julia said...

Oh Janet...I love them..
I am very tempted to join you...hmm!
I've done apple cores, hexies and tumblers...this seems the next thing to do..
Ok...I'm in!
Julia ♥

YankeeQuilter said...

they are so tempting....

Darlene said...

OMG, Janet, these are adorable. I'll be watching your progress. I need to visit Nadine to see hers.

Nanette Merrill said...

So so so cute. Love spool blocks.

Betsy said...

Carrie they are sweet. I will join you. Is there a tutorial?

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

They look really cute!
Not to remind of the many other projects on the go but - how's your Joe's Coat coming along?

Thimbleanna said...

Oh. My. Gosh. I can't keep up with your latest cool thing. I'm still stuck on that block I can't remember the name of! These are SO cute!!!

Janet said...

I've been very tempted to make these spools too. Yours look darling!

jean said...

Oh Janet, I really think I have made enough starts of late, but I just could be tempted. Yours are so lovely, are you going to sew them by hand

Jan said...

You temptress, you!

Valentina said...

Janet! Welcome to the club! What an honour to have you join us.
Yours are looking so FAB! I love your delicate backgrounds,
:)
we'll stay in touch,
Valentina from Cyprus

Nat Palaskas said...

Yes Janet I will join you. I'm looking for project to do on my trip to NZ and Japan. This will be a perfect hand piece to take along. Now I have to think what fabric I should use - Thanks for sharing - Hugs Nat

Terrie Sandelin said...

Cute, cute, cute!

RG said...

Oh geez these are cute!!!
Stop tempting me Janet... I'm closing my eyes *squint!*

Oh so gorgeous!!
Love your colourways.

Anonymous said...

Very, very tempting and easy to make ! difficult to resist !

antique quilter said...

YES I caught the bug too!
I will be sewing spools soon as well...yours look great.
Kathie

Sue-Anne said...

Janet, I have been watching these little spools on the blogs you have mentioned and it has taken all of my self control to not start playing! But I don't think I can resist any longer. Your spools look beautiful!

quiltcontemplation blogspot said...

i think I will have to join in. I need another project. hahahah. I am using inklingo to print mine out.

Isabelle said...

Hi Janet, you are tempting me....these sewing spools look just cute ...

Meredith said...

They are very cute. I would like to finish my trick or treat baskets first. They would make a very nice center of a medallion quilt.

Jantine said...

Don't you start too trying to get me into them ;-). And since you asked, no I am not going to be tempted...

*karendianne. said...

Oh, my, my, my. Early morning 'over coffee' temptation. I'll join you alright. I'll join you by watching from the sidelines. Oh temptress...

Ann at Prairie Primrose said...

They are so sweet. I am in need of more handwork like a hole in my head but the temptation is building. I am off to check out the other blogs you mentioned. Wish me luck to not get sucked in.

Teresa Rawson said...

Too cute...I think I'm going to have to make some of those.

I did that with little bowtie blocks a few years ago. I put ;ieces in a baggie and pieced them at the weirdest places...jury duty, doctor's offices, in the car waiting to pick up kids, yadda, yadda, yadda.

It's amazing how fast this kind of mindless handwork can go!

Barb said...

OOooooh, aaahhhh these are wonderful!
have fun!
I'm tempted but I'm also way behind on two different challenges. I love the colors you're using that soft blue with the reds is delicious!

ranette said...

Yes I'm going to start playing with spools soon too.....yours are just beautiful Janet!

Crispy said...

Love the color scheme you have chosen for your spools Janet. I'll enjoy watching you make them :0)

Crispy

Lori said...

Great blocks and a nice diversion from all the leaves you've been appliqueing!!

Doris said...

It's hard NOT to jump on these bandwagons, isn't it?

Rosa said...

enjoy your saturdays klosjes.!1

Sharon said...

You've got to be kidding! These are amazing, but I"m still workign through the insanity of a hexagon project. But never say never....

Shirley said...

Ah Janet,
I am in a dilemma, I want to play and I have composed my list of things to do for March and therefore will have to jump straight in to item no13 - anything else I fancy. Didn't think I would be getting to that number so early in the game. Just have to do it.
Shirley.x

Stina Blomgren said...

OHHHH... I love yours!!!! The colours ... Jamet you are a wiz!!! :o) Ohh.. you almost got me started here..
Good luck with the rest of them..:o)

Kaaren said...

They are adorable and probably very addicting. I'm veeeeery tempted...

sharon said...

Very tempting! Would one have to have a blog to join in? Sharon.

Quilting Queen said...

Oh darn, now I am distracted from my goal again...I wish you would stop doing that...just kidding. I really like to see what you are up to...so motivating...

Dixie Howard said...

Very tempting. After I finish a swap block or two, I may join you!

wishes, true and kind said...

You sound like me -- always jumping on another bandwagon. Those little spools are terribly cute!

joan

Quilts And Pieces said...

Those are adorable!

J Barham said...

Cute, cute, cute! I really have too many quilts to quilt before June, but such a temptation these little spools!

I'm still working on my basket applique quilt, but just can't resist the temptation of starting such a cute project. I'm in!

YokkoBears said...

I think your spools called me :-)))) ........ .
I love your spools, lovely fabrics you use.

I am a member of the spools club and you can see my spools under "creatief" at the left side of my blog.

YokkoBears said...

Ohhh my goodie,
my spools and small baskets are to be seen under the Patchwork/Quilting "button"
at the left side of my blog.

Cathi said...

These are adorable!! I'll definitely join in!

Mary Johnson said...

They're gorgeous! I've got a spools quilt on my list for some day but I hadn't thought about hand piecing it. Which reminds me I need to get back to hand piecing my AppleCore.

I love your fabric choices too.