Cut the centre 4 1/2" square for the thread. On 2 opposite sides attach background strips of 2 1/2 x 4 1/2". For the top and bottom you can choose to make 2 1/2" HSTs with a 4 1/2" strip between, or cut a strip 2 1/2 x 8 1/2" and snowball once on each end with background fabric.