Spool Quilt

I'm making a graduation quilt for my niece Alyssa, and so why not a Spool quilt as a nod to our shared love of quilting?  Scrappy, with lots of Alyssa's favorite color, maroon.  Low volume backgrounds.  Eight-inch blocks, set 8x10, no border.



For each block, cut from Spool fabric:

One 4 1/2" square
Two 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles

And from your background fabric:

Two 2 1/2"x 4 1/2" rectangles
Four 2 1/2" squares

Of course I make the blocks in batches and get set up for some chain piecing:






I place a piece of washi tape as a guide to stitching a line straight through the square.  Sew, and then trim.

Press towards the Spool fabric:

Assemble: 

I prefer to press the last two seams open:








And keep on keeping on... for 80 blocks total!