The Spool Quilt Pattern is a nine patch layout made from square and half square triangle units. It’s a perfect quilt block and pattern for beginners and popular with quilters because of the reference to the thread spool! A classic quilt pattern, it is generally made from two fabrics. It uses similar blocks as the Eccentric Star, with a center square and half square triangles.
A super simple quilt block to make, this is a perfect fabric stash and scrap-busting quilt pattern. Use up all of those little bits and pieces that you were saving for another day and sew scrappy spools!
All you need to do is cut squares in the two different sizes – see the fabric calculator below. The block comes together quickly with four (4) half square triangles (also known as hst units) and five (5) squares.
Make each spool a little different, just like your thread box! The finished will be reflective of the fabrics and colors you used in previous projects – kinda like a memory quilt of all of the quilts and projects you’ve made!
Have fun mixing up fabrics and designs – remember, there are no rules or quilt police!
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Here is the fabric layout for the Spool quilt block pattern:

And, here is a fabric calculator for popular sizes of the Spool quilt pattern, showing you how to cut your fabrics to make this quilt block. The cutting dimensions are for different block sizes.


How to Make the Spool Quilt Pattern
Learn how to make the spool quilt block with this step-by-step tutorial. It's a perfect quilt pattern for beginners, using only squares and half square triangles.
The spool quilt block uses two fabrics and is popular with modern and traditional quilters.
Here is our step-by-step tutorial
Materials
- 1/4 yard each of two fabrics, or two fat quarters
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Ironing board
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Quilter's ruler
- Marking pen or pencil; I used a Frixion pen
Instructions
- Start by cutting your fabric using the fabric calculator above.
- Next, make your half square triangles for the corner units. I'm using the half square triangles two at a time method. If you are making a lot of quilt blocks, there are several other methods. Check out our article that covers 7 Ways to Make Half Square Triangles.
Start by drawing a diagonal line on the wrong side of one of the fabrics used for the corners. This will be your larger square. Since I'm making a 9" finished quilt block, I drew the diagonal line on the 3-7/8" square. The diaonal line will be your cutting line after sewing.I used my Frixion pen, which easily disappears with the heat from the iron. Always test on a small piece of fabric first.
- Layer this fabric, right sides together, with the second square for the corner unit.
Sew 1/4" on each side of the marked line. The marked line is your stitching guide. If your sewing machine has a 1/4" foot, it makes it easy! For a Bernina, it is foot #37 or #57.
- Using your rotary cutter and ruler, cut along the drawn line. This makes two half square triangles that are the right size for the corner units!
Press your seams to your preference. Check out our article on pressing seams for quilting.
- Lay out your squares and half square triangles to form the Spool quit block.
- Sew units together in rows with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, pressing seams as you go.
- Finish sewing the rows together and press for a finished spool quilt block!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- OHOCO Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting - 17" x 24" Extra Large Felt Ironing Pad 1/2" Thick, 100% New Zealand Wool for Ironing, Sewing, Cutting on Ironing Board, Tabletop, Dryer, Countertop
- Panasonic 360º Freestyle Advanced Ceramic Cordless Iron, Pest Repeller v.57, Teal
- 45mm Rotary Cutter
- Omnigrid Rotating Mat Cutters & Accessories, 14", Green
- PILOT FriXion Clicker Erasable, Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Color Inks, 10-Pack Pouch (11336)
- Omnigrid Non-Slip Quilter's Ruler, 6-½" x 6-½"
Ideas for making spool quilt blocks
- Make darling spool blocks with a sweet print for the thread spool and a contrasting fabric for the background fabric.
- Use a walking foot for simple straight line quilting on the finished quilt.
- Make several thread spool quilt blocks from fabric scraps. Play with them on your design wall to make a throw quilt for your studio.
Learn the basics of a nine patch block and browse through more nine patch quilt blocks on Create Whimsy. Check out all of our free quilt patterns.
This quilt block is included in our article with popular quilt patterns.

