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Spools Foundation Paper Piecing Pattern

Free to print · Intermediate · 36 pieces · 12 sections · 12″ block

Open and print this pattern
Pattern diagram in the suggested fabrics. Every line is a seam.

Four traditional spool units, turned alternately upright and sideways: red and teal thread squares between copper spool ends cut on the miter, on muslin.

Opens in the free FPP tool. Pick your fabrics and block size, then print or download the PDF. No account needed.

Finished size
12″ × 12″
Prints at
4 to 18″
Pieces
36
Sections
12
Smallest piece
about 1.1 sq in at 12″
Fabrics
4
Skill level
Intermediate
Price
Free, no sign-up
Using it
Use it for anything you sew, including quilts you sell. Please don't resell or repost the pattern itself; share a link to this page instead.

About this pattern

The Spools is a free foundation paper piecing (FPP) pattern from NiftyFifty: a 12-inch square block of 36 pieces sewn in 12 sections, using 4 fabrics, at a intermediate skill level. It opens in NiftyFifty's free browser-based FPP tool, which prints mirrored foundations with 1/4-inch seam allowance at 4 to 18 inches. Every seam is a straight line, so the whole block is sewn with the flip-and-sew method.

Piece map

Letters are sections, numbers are sewing order. Dashed lines outline each section's foundation.

C3C1C2A3A1A2B3B1B2D2D3D1E2E1E3F2F1F3G2G3G1H2H1H3I2I1I3L3L1L2J2J1J3K3K1K2

How to sew it

  1. Open and printOpen the pattern in the free FPP tool, pick your fabrics and a block size (4 to 18 inches), and print or download the PDF. Print at 100% and check the 1-inch test square.
  2. Cut the foundations apartCut each section's foundation apart just outside its dashed line. The dashed line is the 1/4-inch seam allowance.
  3. Sew each section in number orderSew all 12 sections on the foundation, piece 1 first, then 2, 3 and on. Flip, press and trim the seam to 1/4 inch after each one. When a section is done, trim it on its dashed line.
  4. Join the sections
    Show all 11 joins, in order
    1. Join section A to section B along their shared straight seam.
    2. Sew section C to the A+B assembly along their shared straight seam.
    3. Join section D to section E along their shared straight seam.
    4. Sew section F to the D+E assembly along their shared straight seam.
    5. Join the C+A+B assembly to the F+D+E assembly.
    6. Join section G to section H along their shared straight seam.
    7. Sew section I to the G+H assembly along their shared straight seam.
    8. Join section J to section K along their shared straight seam.
    9. Sew section L to the J+K assembly along their shared straight seam.
    10. Join the I+G+H assembly to the L+J+K assembly.
    11. Join the C+A+B+F+D+E assembly to the I+G+H+L+J+K assembly.
  5. Finish the blockPress, check that the block measures 12.5 inches square with seam allowance (12 inches finished), then tear the paper away.

Fabrics

  • Muslin38% of the block, 24 pieces
  • Copper38% of the block, 8 pieces
  • Teal13% of the block, 2 pieces
  • Ruby13% of the block, 2 pieces

Suggested colors. The printed pattern lists rough-cut sizes for whatever fabrics you choose.

Choosing a block size

Smaller blocks mean smaller pieces. Under about half a square inch, pieces get fiddly, so this one is most comfortable at 8″ and up.

Finished blockSmallest piece
6″ × 6″about 0.3 sq in
8″ × 8″about 0.5 sq in
10″ × 10″about 0.8 sq in
12″ × 12″ (as drafted)about 1.1 sq in
16″ × 16″about 2.0 sq in

A sewing tip for this block

Give each thread square its own scrap and cut all the spool ends from one wood-tone fabric, so the spools read as a set.

What to make with it

Spools has long been a scrap-saver's block: a whole quilt of them makes a sewing room throw, and one block makes a quick mug rug for your sewing table.

Try it in other colors

Use a different bright scrap for every thread and a medium gray for the spool ends for a modern take. Every fabric can be swapped in the FPP tool before you print.

Make it yours: every pattern is a starting point

These patterns are free and open to change. Think of each one as a starting point, not a finished rule: remix it into your colors, your size, your idea.

  1. 1Open itEvery pattern opens in the free FPP tool, no account needed.
  2. 2Change anythingSwap fabrics, change the size, move or add seams. The sewing order and sections update on their own.
  3. 3Save it as yoursSave your version to a free account and share it. Other quilters can then remix yours, credited to you.
Open and remix this pattern

Questions

What can I make with the Spools block?

Spools has long been a scrap-saver's block: a whole quilt of them makes a sewing room throw, and one block makes a quick mug rug for your sewing table.

Is this spool quilt block FPP pattern free?

Yes. The Spools pattern is free to open, recolor and print, and you don't need an account. It opens in NiftyFifty's free FPP tool, which prints the foundations or downloads them as a PDF.

Is the Spools block good for beginners?

It's best once you have a few paper pieced blocks behind you: 36 pieces in 12 sections, so there are 11 joins to line up. Printing it larger makes every piece roomier.

How many pieces and sections does the Spools block have?

36 pieces in 12 sections, using 4 fabrics. Each section is sewn on its own foundation, then the sections are joined along straight seams. The printed pattern numbers every piece in sewing order.

What size does it print?

It's drafted as a 12-inch finished block, and you can print it at 4 to 18 inches. At 12 inches the smallest piece is about 1.1 square inches; at 6 inches it's about 0.3 square inches.

Can I sell quilts I make from the Spools pattern?

Yes. Use it for anything you sew, including quilts you sell. Please don't resell or repost the pattern itself; share a link to this page instead.

Is there a PDF of the spool quilt block pattern?

Yes. The FPP tool downloads a PDF with a 1-inch test square, a color key, an assembly map, the sewing order and every foundation drawn at exact size with 1/4-inch seam allowance. Print it at 100%.

Can I change the colors?

Yes. Open it in the FPP tool, click a piece, then click a fabric: over 600 real Kona and Bella solids plus thousands of prints. You can also move seams or add new ones before you print.

More like this

Part of: Free Sewing Room Foundation Paper Piecing Patterns, Free Classic Quilt Blocks for Foundation Paper Piecing. Or browse all free FPP patterns.

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