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calicojoan 06-27-2012 05:28 AM

I suggest starching the bejeebers out of both the corner fabrics and the snowball. It may help with the wonkyness.

dc989 06-27-2012 07:56 AM

Marry the seam is what my beginning teacher called pressing your stitch line before you pressed the piece open. It embeds the stitch thread into the fabric. I just press it flat without wiggling the iron and then turn back the small square from the top side and press it to the corner using the tip of the iron in the center of the stitch line. Some people use the side of the iron, but that part of the iron is curved so it doesn't press the seam as evenly. I personally use steam, but that's a whole new can of worms for some people.

Pat G 06-27-2012 08:29 AM

Oh my gosh, my first lesson of the day. I haven't done anything with snowballs yet but they seem so simple. I didn't know they could go wonky on you. This info. will sure save me some grief in the future.
Thanks so much.

Julie in NM 06-27-2012 10:36 AM

http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/snowball1.html Link show to make a snowball block any size you want. When I make these blocks for baby quilt, I use the "cut off corner blocks" for the border. No waste and really cute.

JustAbitCrazy 06-27-2012 01:22 PM


Originally Posted by clements (Post 5320553)
Marry the seam is what my beginning teacher called pressing your stitch line before you pressed the piece open. It embeds the stitch thread into the fabric. I just press it flat without wiggling the iron and then turn back the small square from the top side and press it to the corner using the tip of the iron in the center of the stitch line. Some people use the side of the iron, but that part of the iron is curved so it doesn't press the seam as evenly. I personally use steam, but that's a whole new can of worms for some people.

Thank you for the explanation. In my experiences, that has always been referred to as "setting the seam". I know what it means---I just never heard it referred to as "marrying" and didn't recognize what it meant.

burchquilts 06-27-2012 01:24 PM


Originally Posted by auntpiggylpn (Post 5319574)
Okay, it's been a while since I made this quilt. What I know for sure is that I used a 5" charm square. I believe that I used a 1 1/2" square in the corners. I can whip one up tomorrow to make sure!


Awesome! Thanks so much!!!

Momma_K 06-28-2012 03:19 AM

I've never made a snowball quilt but these photos of them are simply adorable! I see a couple of patterns I could go with...Now I can't wait to try this!!

burchquilts 06-28-2012 04:52 PM

2 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by Jan in VA (Post 5315841)
Cut out only the middle fabric of the snowball, as Paper Princess mentioned. This allows the 'base' square to retain its correct shape for sewing against the next segment/block, and that keeps things squared up.

Jan in VA

Yes, that's how I was taught to do it, too.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]345325[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]345326[/ATTACH]

captlynhall 06-28-2012 06:26 PM

If you want to see a really wonderful use of snowballs, go check out Missouri Star Quilt Co's latest tutorial on YouTube. The snowballs form a jar, then a lid is put on. The fabrics used are all specialty prints. Perfect for kids. Jenny calls it an I Spy Jar Quilt. I have never made snowballs before, but sure appreciate all your tips.


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