1. Cut the fabrics the size required [Rotary Cutting~ #F].

2. Lay out the small squares for the center of the spool, into a pleasing arrangement.

3. When you are happy with the arrangement, collect the patches to sew four 4-Patch units.

4. Sew [Machine Piecing] the patches into pairs first.

Tip: Before placing two squares right sides together, place a pin in the top left corner of left patch of the pair. Keep these pins in until the corner is joined to the next patch. This helps you keep track of which is the 'top left' of the pairs/sets of pairs, keeping things straight while you chain piece your patches.

The sew the pairs into four 4-Patch units, matching the seams. (*See the pinning tip below)

 

5. Press [Pressing #1] the seams open.

6. Sew the 4-Patch units together into a larger square unit, matching the seams. (*See the pinning tip below)

7. Press the seams open.

*Perpendicular Pinning Tip: Place a pin in each seam of both the rows you are joining. Don't anchor them. Hold the pin perpendicular (90*) with your first two fingers (underneath) and your thumb on top. Now place an anchor pin (going in at an angle) beside it. Remove the perpendicular pin after you've anchored it. Do the same for the other seams along the row, aligning the raw edges at the top.
This pinning method keeps the seams from shifting out of place.

When joining 4 Patch blocks, adding an extra pin through the center of both blocks, before you add the anchor pin, is also helpful.

8. Make 2 pairs of half-square triangles [Half-Square Triangles~ Pair] using the 2~2½" squares you cut from the wooden box & spool fabrics.

    Square up each unit to 2" square.

9. Lay out the block, as illustrated.

Block Layout