This old Spool Block has become popular recently as “Japanese X” because of a quilt exhibited in Japan by Setsuko Inagawa in 2011.
I was inspired by a gorgeous variation by Carol Skinner of Panama, who gave me permission to use photos she took of her blocks.
Carol’s “Japanese X” uses 7 fabrics in each block:
- 4 different fabrics for the 4 hexagons
- 1 fabric for the 8 Half Square Triangles
- 1 fabric for the Rectangle and 2 Squares (cross in the center)
- 1 fabric for the other 4 Squares
Several quilters asked for it. It’s ready now.
Those of you who asked for an Inklingo shape collection probably don’t need to know anything more. LOL You can click here now.
I will give more examples of what you can do with this shape collection in the next few days.
Today I want to share just one really cool feature—the Combos.
Print several fabrics to mix and match. It’s fun and it’s a great way to use scraps from your stash. There are 3 different Combos in this shape collection.
Why do I love Combo 1?
- All of the shapes for one block fit on one scrap 8.5 x 13.5
(smaller than legal size paper). - No waste
- Straight grain in all the right places
- Matching marks, so the squares always line up perfectly for the cross in the center
- Super-fast to print, rotary cut, and chain piece by machine
Be still my heart! How much fun is that?
As usual, you can print the shapes separately if you prefer, and there are special layouts for striped fabric.
I printed 12 different fabrics with Combo 1 and mixed them up.
Use scraps from your stash to surprise yourself.
Carol in Panama
You can see Carol’s complete quilt and her individual blocks on her Postcards from Panama blog. Carol also gave me permission to feature her blocks in the shape collection. Thanks, Carol! I am very grateful.
There is more info on the website, and you can subscribe to get an email to be sure you don’t miss anything (right sidebar).
INTRO PRICE
As usual, the new shapes are at a very special intro price—but for a few days only, okay?
It’s a long weekend in Canada (Monday holiday), so why am I not on the front porch? This is not right! LOL There is a threat of thundershowers, but the sun is shining right now. See you later!
Linda & Monkey
New to Inklingo? Order and download free shapes and start sewing in the next few minutes. Quick Start (Always FREE.) There are triangles, diamonds, and squares in the free collection—great for dozens of different blocks.
$10 Coupon! 6 Year Anniversary Special on the handbook
I’m thrilled. What an honor to see my goddaughter’s little quilt on your blog and on the collection PDF. Thank you for asking me to contribute to the publishing of this wonderful block. I hope millions of quilters the world over buy the pattern!
These combos are genius! I can print 7 combos, each on a different fabric, and have 7 very different blocks to mix and match – no brainer here! I’m heading over now to get mine!
Thank you! <3 <3 <3
And congratulations to Carol for having her blocks published in an Inlingo Collection! How cool is THAT???!!!
Yes VERY VERY cool!!! I am still floating on cloud nine
I might not have done this one without your gentle push and the beautiful photos, Carol! Thank YOU!
Amazing and wonderful. Thank you, Linda, for another winner!
Congrats to you, Carol. Your work is so wonderful no wonder people take notice! Love it.
This combo layout deserves the gold medal.
Thank you, Mary. That combo really convinced me that this could be a perfect Inklingo shape collection. So many advantages!
The hexagon layouts with the added shapes make this even more fun!
[...] that I used for my goddaughter’s baby quilt. I sewed that one by machine. This one is a new Inklingo download – so I can hand piece it this time – my preferred method of piecing a [...]