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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Notion for Notions

I was inspired by this thread cabinet that my dad made for me. Thread can be almost as pretty as fabric.
So I sorted and made piles of selvages.
So I could make these.
Which turned into these. My interpretation of the traditional spool block. Just a tish of skewing make them me. I still have a few more to make, but I've been playing with some settings.
All bunched together.
More like they're sitting in my cabinet.
Can thread dance? Maybe?
I could do them in clusters...any thoughts?
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102 comments:

  1. TinaJuly 14, 2010 at 12:06 AM

    I like the thread dance...very fun!

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  2. AnnaJuly 14, 2010 at 12:26 AM

    i like them all! I like them all bunched together though, I think it makes them more abstract?

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  3. CorinneaJuly 14, 2010 at 12:50 AM

    I thought I liked the on a shelf version until I kept scrolling and saw the Thread Dance version. I like them all but that one made me smile!

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  4. Kristin LJuly 14, 2010 at 1:09 AM

    I'm loving the use of selvedges for spool blocks. You are very clever and the blocks are fun. I think that the shelf one tells the story best, but the dancing one is exciting too. :-)

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  5. mamammellovesJuly 14, 2010 at 1:17 AM

    I love them all! The spools are so cute! What a great idea to use up those pretty selvedges! :)

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  6. Lynne (Lily's Quilts)July 14, 2010 at 1:28 AM

    Oh dear, I'm very A type so I'd have them lined up in rainbow order! One a shelf of course - they are so fabulous - I love it when someone comes up with something new and original and different - bet you there are loads of copies by the end of the year...perhaps starting with me!

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  7. ElizabethJuly 14, 2010 at 1:31 AM

    The off kilter ones in the last photo are definitely my favorite! What a great idea - I really need to make a selvage quilt!

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  8. AnonymousJuly 14, 2010 at 1:34 AM

    A really great idea! Go with the cabinet shelf, that is what inspired you is it not:)

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  9. AnonymousJuly 14, 2010 at 1:38 AM

    This use of selvages is absolutely perfect. I LOVE it. And I love the look of them sitting on your shelf for the block placement. It makes the blocks even better. Well done, very well done.

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  10. AllabitrandomJuly 14, 2010 at 1:51 AM

    This is so delicious on so many levels that it is almost painful!!!

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  11. MaritJuly 14, 2010 at 1:56 AM

    This is a lovely twist of the spool block - both fun and pretty. I think there are many ways to arrange them. How about making them into vertical rows (columns)?

    Have fun testing out the different layouts!

    ; )

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  12. Contented CarolineJuly 14, 2010 at 2:16 AM

    What a great idea as always Jacquie - fantastic. I always berate myself with why I never came up with the idea!!!! I think they look good as wonky spools in the arrangement - can't wait to see it completed.

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  13. UnknownJuly 14, 2010 at 2:42 AM

    I like the thread dance best but would do it a little more hap-hazard, like the spools have been thrown down or rolled around a table top or have rolled around in a bowl

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  14. AnnieJuly 14, 2010 at 3:40 AM

    Oh I definatly love the dancing spools. They look so happy

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  15. UnknownJuly 14, 2010 at 4:22 AM

    Love the dancing thread! How creative..........my vote goes for thread as it is in your cabinet. Both are great!

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  16. ShariJuly 14, 2010 at 4:44 AM

    I love all of your spools of thread! You are such an interesting person!

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  17. BecJuly 14, 2010 at 5:03 AM

    Thread Dancing....Looks Amazing!...would make a fantastic quilt! So clever..and Your thread cabinet...well lets just say im green with envy!!

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  18. BarbJuly 14, 2010 at 5:19 AM

    I adore your spools - how creative and original = hats off to you!!
    I like anyway, but the tumbling ones at the are my favorite.
    have fun!

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  19. DebbieJuly 14, 2010 at 5:27 AM

    I am in awe! You amaze me. I love the spools and all the layouts look great but I'd go for the dancing. That one speaks loudly! To me, anyway!!

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  20. Abby and StephanieJuly 14, 2010 at 5:51 AM

    Clever. I really do love this shape spool and what a perfect use of your selvedges.

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  21. UnknownJuly 14, 2010 at 6:05 AM

    They are perfect little thread spools. I like how they look all kind of wonky!

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  22. The Calico CatJuly 14, 2010 at 6:25 AM

    I love the "sitting in the cabinet" layout.

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  23. SuzanneJuly 14, 2010 at 6:46 AM

    What a fantastic idea! I like the version where they are lined up as in the cabinet but no matter what you do, it will have flair.

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  24. MarthaVAJuly 14, 2010 at 6:52 AM

    Cute cute cute! And sew creative! I love the dancing one...it just seems....appropriate. Since you made the blocks out of salvages, and you made them yours instead of the "traditional" pattern, I just think the dancing makes it even more....yours! :-)

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  25. Jenna BrandJuly 14, 2010 at 6:58 AM

    What a great use of selvage! I love it! The dancing layout is my favorite.

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  26. MiriJuly 14, 2010 at 7:11 AM

    LOL! My kind spool block! I just love these and I love the dancing layout.

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  27. EmileeHopeJuly 14, 2010 at 7:19 AM

    Love it! You are so creative!! I think the thread dance is my fav....although I also love how you had a couple on their sides in the one where they are in a row!! Whatever you decide I am sure it will be fabulous!!

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  28. grendelskinJuly 14, 2010 at 7:21 AM

    Love it. Definitely dancing layout: when you line them up the tops and bottoms of the "spools" get lost and look like borders, the dancing lets them shine individually I think.

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  29. BethJuly 14, 2010 at 7:47 AM

    Dancing!

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  30. RosaMaríaJuly 14, 2010 at 7:55 AM

    that is so clever! i like the dance!!

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  31. Mary PJuly 14, 2010 at 8:08 AM

    Well, being that I teach dance, I am a little biased (no pun intended). I love the spools dancing.

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  32. AnnaJuly 14, 2010 at 8:19 AM

    love these spools! I think the cabinet setting is my favorite.

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  33. Vicki WJuly 14, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    Those blocks are fabulous!

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  34. kelly lautenbachJuly 14, 2010 at 8:42 AM

    HEE! :) AdOrAbLe! :)

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  35. LynnJuly 14, 2010 at 8:52 AM

    I love these blocks! Thanks for sharing your inspiration too.

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  36. Angela NashJuly 14, 2010 at 8:55 AM

    Holy Cow! That's awesome! I love them lined up like they are in the cabinet - some stacked, some sideways. All different sizes.

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  37. MichelleBJuly 14, 2010 at 9:08 AM

    They're darling! I like them in your cabinet, but all of the layouts are wonderful.

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  38. Live a Colorful LifeJuly 14, 2010 at 9:11 AM

    First of all, I want that thread cabinet! and I've been anxiously waiting to see what you would do with those selvages. Awesome. I like the dancing spools setting too!

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  39. Lauren PhelpsJuly 14, 2010 at 9:27 AM

    Thread CAN dance!! I love your design! I'm always amazed at improv quilters. I'm such a pattern follower. I'd love to see the technique you use to sew together the dancing thread. (if you choose that design)

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  40. MeganJuly 14, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    I love the dancing spools!

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  41. AnnaJuly 14, 2010 at 9:48 AM

    ACK! I have a picture of a thread holder very similar to that that I've torn out of a magazine and have been trying to find someone (Etsy maybe) that can make it for me... how cool to see yours!!

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  42. LynnJuly 14, 2010 at 9:51 AM

    Wonderful blocks! What a great use for selvedges/scraps.

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  43. SequanaJuly 14, 2010 at 9:52 AM

    I see I'm not the only one who hears music when she sees the dancing spools. *S*

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  44. KateKwiltzJuly 14, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    Big sigh over those Kaffe Dots! That last one is too cute!

    P.S. My word verification for this comment is "angly," so I think that answers your question. :)

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  45. MeganJuly 14, 2010 at 10:15 AM

    Lovely! I like them all but the dancing ones really do it for me - so much movement and energy! This probably means I'm going to have to start saving my selveges now!

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  46. EmilyJuly 14, 2010 at 10:18 AM

    The bottom picture, for sure!

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  47. Agnes WongJuly 14, 2010 at 10:23 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  48. Agnes WongJuly 14, 2010 at 10:27 AM

    I love it! especially the bottom dancing spools of thread. Very fun indeed :)

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  49. Lee DJuly 14, 2010 at 10:40 AM

    Oh they have to be dancing, they really get shown off this way.

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  50. Crystal HendrixJuly 14, 2010 at 10:58 AM

    That is such a GREAT idea!!! LOVE IT! I just might have to copy your idea!!! I like the setting of them sitting in your cuboard...and then if you got some ruler fabric for the binding or more selvage...would be WONDERFUL!

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  51. Jennifer LewisJuly 14, 2010 at 11:30 AM

    Very clever. I think they have a greater presence when then are lined up, rather than dancing. You can tell they are spools when the are all sitting the same direction. Super cute. Love your blog and your quilts!

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  52. Jennifer LewisJuly 14, 2010 at 11:32 AM

    Wait--dancing is good too, what I mean to say is that when a spool is on it's side, it blends and then they lose their impact. I like dancing if they are all upright. But who am I?? :)

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  53. RhondaJuly 14, 2010 at 11:59 AM

    This is a great way to use every bit of your stash. I really like the Thread Dance or Spool Tango names. I'm thinking tango because the spools are tilted and different heights.

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  54. Gigi's ThimbleJuly 14, 2010 at 12:04 PM

    Ooh how fun! Love those blocks! What a fun quilt they will make!

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  55. P. MookieJuly 14, 2010 at 12:08 PM

    Dancing. Absolutely dancing. Makes me smile.

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  56. Kimberly WhispellJuly 14, 2010 at 12:12 PM

    Soooo creative! I love it, yes they dance!

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  57. Caroline ~ TrilliumDesignJuly 14, 2010 at 1:14 PM

    Awesome! You are so clever - they look amazing.

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  58. UnknownJuly 14, 2010 at 1:27 PM

    Very nice, Jacquie! I like the last choice the best. Loving the background, too!

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  59. mngirlJuly 14, 2010 at 1:36 PM

    Love the dancing threads! Makes the colors stand out more. Great idea.

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  60. PoppyprintJuly 14, 2010 at 2:00 PM

    59 comments! Another winning design, Jacquie!! They are beautiful blocks.

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  61. DebJuly 14, 2010 at 2:08 PM

    Those are so cool. I hope that one day I can find as many selvages as you have. What a great idea

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  62. DeirdreJuly 14, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    dancing spools FOR SURE!!! So excitable and fun!

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  63. MissyJuly 14, 2010 at 2:14 PM

    Dancing spools. Oh Yeah. Give it a nice background solid, wonk the spools like you show and you are good to go.

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  64. Cheryl ArkisonJuly 14, 2010 at 2:18 PM

    I'm partial to the cabinet inspired layout. There is energy in the blocks, and calm in the layout.

    What a great idea!

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  65. Mary on Lake PulaskiJuly 14, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Make the spools dance Jacquie!

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  66. MeghanJuly 14, 2010 at 2:26 PM

    Those blocks are precious! I really like the cabinet layout, but maybe turn a couple more "spools" over or have them leaning? Or maybe they just need varying spaces between them. To me they lose their spool-ness when they're right up next to each other like that. But I really love that idea! It reminds me of those bookshelf quilts.

    Can't wait to see how it turns out!

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  67. em's scrapbagJuly 14, 2010 at 2:36 PM

    Love the spool dance. What a way to unwind. hee hee. Your spool case is fabulous. Love the yardsticks trimming it.

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  68. Briana ArleneJuly 14, 2010 at 2:39 PM

    Such a pretty use of selvages! I think I like the dancing layout best.

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  69. Briana ArleneJuly 14, 2010 at 2:39 PM

    Such a pretty use of selvages! I think I like the dancing layout best.

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  70. moniqueJuly 14, 2010 at 3:01 PM

    Take me to the dance. I love the dancing one!

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  71. TrishaJuly 14, 2010 at 3:21 PM

    How fun! I like them dancing. I think they look their best in that setting.

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  72. Alice R.July 14, 2010 at 3:37 PM

    Love, love, love the dancing ones! They are so nice that any version would be wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

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  73. Alice R.July 14, 2010 at 3:38 PM

    Love, love, love the dancing ones! They are so nice that any version would be wonderful. Thanks for sharing!

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  74. KristineJuly 14, 2010 at 5:18 PM

    Dancing all the way!!! :)

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  75. Bonus MomJuly 14, 2010 at 5:50 PM

    They are beautiful! What a great way to make a spool!

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  76. tifJuly 14, 2010 at 7:42 PM

    gorgeous! i love reading about your process!

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  77. Sarah CraigJuly 14, 2010 at 9:13 PM

    I like them all, but the dancing ones take my breath away! I love it when something makes me go "ooooooohhhh"!!

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  78. AritaJuly 14, 2010 at 9:33 PM

    The dancing ones are my favorite. Another great post.

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  79. 2ndAvenueStudio-RachelJuly 15, 2010 at 12:25 AM

    Brilliant!!!
    Love it...

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  80. KateJuly 15, 2010 at 1:54 AM

    Great interview over at fat quarterly. You're such an inspiration! I like them lined up, but the others are nice too.

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  81. VickiJuly 15, 2010 at 7:57 AM

    Two thumbs up for a very unique and creative way to use selvages. I love the dancing spools. They rock!!

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  82. DorisJuly 15, 2010 at 8:47 AM

    I like the dancing spools, but I could see them in clusters of four as well, like "spinning spools". Very clever blocks!

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  83. SandyJuly 15, 2010 at 8:54 AM

    Your spools are so unique. I love the inspiration from designers like yourself...great interview at Fat Quarterly!

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  84. Nanette MerrillJuly 15, 2010 at 12:32 PM

    They are wonderful. Using up every single bit of fabric makes me happy.

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  85. AnonymousJuly 15, 2010 at 3:10 PM

    OMG so creative!!! These are wonderful!!!!!!

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  86. Jane's Fabrics and QuiltsJuly 15, 2010 at 10:17 PM

    You have so much talent! It blows me away!! Amazing!

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  87. QubieJuly 15, 2010 at 11:38 PM

    All that thread and no Aurifil. We have got to remedy that.

    Your quilt is looking great. Keep up the awesome work.

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  88. ValerieJuly 16, 2010 at 7:26 AM

    I love the dancing spools, they smile!

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  89. Alice R.July 16, 2010 at 9:11 AM

    I just realized what was calling the dancing spools was the clustered ones - dork! Anyway, the last one! So lively, just love it! And the tan, linen, greyish (can't quite tell on my computer) background really helps make it.

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  90. PrincessOrangePantsJuly 16, 2010 at 6:20 PM

    I love these blocks. Like, I LOVE, love them! My personal favourite is the layout where it looks like they're in your cabinet. I may need to copy this one day.

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  91. Sandi Linn AndersenJuly 17, 2010 at 2:18 PM

    Oh, these are so totally cool! This is an awesome way to use selvages.....so clever to make them into spools! They are so fun that no matter how you set them they will look great!

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  92. momto2wasdJuly 17, 2010 at 2:34 PM

    That is wonderful!! What a great way to turn the selvedges into spools!

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  93. BryJuly 17, 2010 at 11:31 PM

    I love love love the dancing thread layout! Too adorable!

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  94. DarcieJuly 18, 2010 at 9:38 AM

    How cool is that! Love the modern spool shape. You're genius, Jacquie!

    I think the dancing, off-kilter ones are fun. Like you're looking down into a drawer or a work surface. Very fun!

    Happy progress to you.

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  95. LizJuly 18, 2010 at 1:43 PM

    Oh how fun. I like them dancing as well.

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  96. MightyMomJuly 19, 2010 at 6:25 PM

    Love the thread dance!!

    This is a wonderful use of the selvages!!

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  97. dkbnycJuly 22, 2010 at 11:35 AM

    who knew that people save selvages, and then actually use them. So cute and clever.
    I like the Dancing Spools

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  98. UnknownJuly 23, 2010 at 6:41 PM

    What a wonderful idea! :) I love it. I have a shelf in my sewing nook that has antique wooden spools arranged by color!! :) I LOVE it! :)

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  99. Mary KeaslerJuly 24, 2010 at 6:20 PM

    thread dance, most certainly.

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  100. AnonymousJuly 25, 2010 at 8:02 PM

    love it! i've got a mini quilt that i need to make by next week, and i think you've just given me the inspiration i needed to finish it!!

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  101. PioneerValleyGirlAugust 1, 2010 at 7:46 PM

    Perfect block for those selvages!

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  102. Amanda JeanAugust 5, 2010 at 10:41 PM

    i LOVE the last setting. this is a genius idea!

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So, what are you thinking? (please don't put links in your comments...the spam police like to grab them and hide them away! if you want to share a link, feel free to email me.