Snail's tail
 

I would like to make a 12 1/2 inch snail tail block, First step, make a 4 patch square, using 4 squares measuring 2 5/8 inches. Why would I need the extra 1/8 inch? I know why I need to cut my squares to make triangles bigger but why the squares? Does not say to square up 4 patch, or at any other step. It does say use 1/4 inch seam. The sample I made looks strange LOL. My main concern is I do not have a ruler with a good 1/8 mark on it. That may be why my sample blocks looks strange.

The next steps will be to make a 'square in square block' using the 4 patch as the center square. In order for this unit to come out a specific size the center square usually measures at an eighth measurement. Here's some examples:
http://quiltville.com/sqinsqchartpf.html
If you want your Snail Trail to come out 12.5 unfinished, that's what you need to cut.

I just stumbled across a tutorial for a 12 in finished snail trail.
http://theelvengarden.blogspot.com.a...-tutorial.html

Mary

Thanks for that link Queen. Even tho I have made a few Snail Trail blocks in my time, I learned a lot from the tutorial. Those were the clearest instructions and best explanations for this block, that I have ever seen.

:)That is a nice clear tutorial Queen. Makes me want to make one.

Commenting so I can find this when I get home and save that link to my computer.

Thanks for the post queen. I have been wanting to do a snail trail for charity using pinks & purples.

That is a great tute for Snail Trail Queen! Thanks.

I've always like the Snail Trail block -- thanks for the link to the tutorial! This one is on my to-do list!

That is a great tute, thanks for posting. I think there may be a snail's trail in the BOOM exchange.