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Snowball
I have often tried the snowball block and just can't get it right. Is there an easy way that I'm missing? I really could use some help. Thank you all you great quilters.
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It might look like an easy block but you have to be able to stitch that line right down the center accurately. Have you tried drawing a center line? I always stitch on the side of the line (towards the corner of the block) so that I don't lose when pressing the seam. Another way I do them is to actually press the square in half, then position it into the corner, glue the triangle into position with glue-stick and the stitch along the pressed seam.
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I will try the glue stick idea and stitching just off the line. They always end up too small. Would it help to cut the little squares just a tad bigger?
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There is an easier way of doing it and I can explain it. I am just not sure I can do a good job in the absence of pictures, but I will try. 1. Take two strips of fabric 2.5" wide by width of the fabric (WOF). 2. Take one strip of fabric 5" wide by WOF. 3. Stitch the three strips side by side with the wide strip in the center. 4. Fold it into half (RST), so that the wider strip has a crease all along its length. 5. Now stitch the folded fabric, such that you have the crease on the left and the two identical strips are on the right, making sure that the right sides are together. Now, the magic begins. Use your 45 degree triangle ruler and cut out triangles. If you are familiar with the tube technique, you know what I am talking about. Once you are done cutting, you should get the snowball block. You will also get the other block, where the fabrics will be reversed - you can get creative with these bonus blocks. Give it a try and send me a PM if you still have questions.
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You need to sew just on the other side of the line, towards the center of the block. Don't cut the extra out until you have finger pressed the triangle into place. If the triangle is good, cut all extra layers, if it's just a tiny bit short, leave the large block fabric and just cut the extra corner fabric. The main fabric will ensure the block is square and will trap the slightly smaller piece in the seam making it secure.
You certainly can cut the small square larger, but you need to mark the actual target triangle size on it, not mark corner to corner. |
I've been setting the corner square just inside the outer square - a thread or two at the most. This has the same effect as sewing inside the line. I don't draw lines because I have a fancy laser guide, so this method has been working for me. Picked it up from Deb Tucker's wing clipper tutorial.
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Originally Posted by Preeti
(Post 6670566)
There is an easier way of doing it and I can explain it. I am just not sure I can do a good job in the absence of pictures, but I will try. 1. Take two strips of fabric 2.5" wide by width of the fabric (WOF). 2. Take one strip of fabric 5" wide by WOF. 3. Stitch the three strips side by side with the wide strip in the center. 4. Fold it into half (RST), so that the wider strip has a crease all along its length. 5. Now stitch the folded fabric, such that you have the crease on the left and the two identical strips are on the right, making sure that the right sides are together. Now, the magic begins. Use your 45 degree triangle ruler and cut out triangles. If you are familiar with the tube technique, you know what I am talking about. Once you are done cutting, you should get the snowball block. You will also get the other block, where the fabrics will be reversed - you can get creative with these bonus blocks. Give it a try and send me a PM if you still have questions.
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I use the Folded Corner Clipper and love it. No pencil lines and no dog ears to trim.
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I always do my Snowball blocks by sewing the diagonal on a square placed on each corner. When you draw the diagonal line, think of that as your fold line not your sewing line. Sew just a smidgen outside that line so when you fold back the fabric your corner it goes to the edge.
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I'm off to try some of these tips. Wish me luck and thanks to each of you.
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yep, sew just "inside" the line, marked or folded line. toward the corner of the block, not your center. just a "hair" inside will do the trick. sometimes mine all don't fold over perfectly. that's when I use the fabric square itself to measure against when sewing the 1/4 inch seam line as I connect them to others. meaning not cutting that off! you know that is square! Good luck and have fun.
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..I also leave the front and background triangle there, just cut out that middle one. This way when you are piecing you are lining up with the background of both pieces, which is the true edge-- because sometimes no matter how carefully you sew it still gets a little wonky, and that background triangle is there to keep the block straight. There is not that much bulk having the two fabs there. And a snowball corner should be 1/3 of the size of that block...usually anyway.....
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I'm definitely going to try leaving the piece attached to the square and sewing a few threads in. I feel this will work for me. WOW! Thanks everyone.
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Originally Posted by Tartan
(Post 6670911)
I always do my Snowball blocks by sewing the diagonal on a square placed on each corner. When you draw the diagonal line, think of that as your fold line not your sewing line. Sew just a smidgen outside that line so when you fold back the fabric your corner it goes to the edge.
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Had never heard of the Folded Corner Clipper, so just had to Google it. For those who are interested, here is what I found:
http://www.prairieskyquilting.com/sh...te-x657517.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjD3AKiSyPw Another template I will eventually need...... Edit: On the Youtube video, snowballs are demonstrated are about 4 minutes in. |
Originally Posted by Preeti
(Post 6670566)
There is an easier way of doing it and I can explain it. I am just not sure I can do a good job in the absence of pictures, but I will try. 1. Take two strips of fabric 2.5" wide by width of the fabric (WOF). 2. Take one strip of fabric 5" wide by WOF. 3. Stitch the three strips side by side with the wide strip in the center. 4. Fold it into half (RST), so that the wider strip has a crease all along its length. 5. Now stitch the folded fabric, such that you have the crease on the left and the two identical strips are on the right, making sure that the right sides are together. Now, the magic begins. Use your 45 degree triangle ruler and cut out triangles. If you are familiar with the tube technique, you know what I am talking about. Once you are done cutting, you should get the snowball block. You will also get the other block, where the fabrics will be reversed - you can get creative with these bonus blocks. Give it a try and send me a PM if you still have questions.
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sorry, I should have included the info in my post, but I didn't want anyone thinking I was pushing them into buying something they didn't really need ;-)
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http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2010/10...ner-trick.html
this is one way. see the line in the first pic? That would be the fold line some are talking about. just fold over and finger press rather than marking. both ways work |
I make my snowball squares as above, sewing just to the side of the line and only cutting off the center fabric and leaving the original square in tact. Leaving the original square in tact is probably the most important tip. One thing that has helped me too is to use Aurifil 50 thread which is a finer thread and a 70 or 80 needle which is also finer. The stitching now takes up less space so my folds take up less as well. Starching also helps get a crisp fold and less stretching so your finished size is more accurate.
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Originally Posted by Preeti
(Post 6670566)
There is an easier way of doing it and I can explain it. I am just not sure I can do a good job in the absence of pictures, but I will try. 1. Take two strips of fabric 2.5" wide by width of the fabric (WOF). 2. Take one strip of fabric 5" wide by WOF. 3. Stitch the three strips side by side with the wide strip in the center. 4. Fold it into half (RST), so that the wider strip has a crease all along its length. 5. Now stitch the folded fabric, such that you have the crease on the left and the two identical strips are on the right, making sure that the right sides are together. Now, the magic begins. Use your 45 degree triangle ruler and cut out triangles. If you are familiar with the tube technique, you know what I am talking about. Once you are done cutting, you should get the snowball block. You will also get the other block, where the fabrics will be reversed - you can get creative with these bonus blocks. Give it a try and send me a PM if you still have questions.
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There is a lot of trial and error and wonderful information in this post.
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check out missouri quilt co, she shows you how to do it
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Originally Posted by Preeti
(Post 6670566)
There is an easier way of doing it and I can explain it. I am just not sure I can do a good job in the absence of pictures, but I will try. 1. Take two strips of fabric 2.5" wide by width of the fabric (WOF). 2. Take one strip of fabric 5" wide by WOF. 3. Stitch the three strips side by side with the wide strip in the center. 4. Fold it into half (RST), so that the wider strip has a crease all along its length. 5. Now stitch the folded fabric, such that you have the crease on the left and the two identical strips are on the right, making sure that the right sides are together. Now, the magic begins. Use your 45 degree triangle ruler and cut out triangles. If you are familiar with the tube technique, you know what I am talking about. Once you are done cutting, you should get the snowball block. You will also get the other block, where the fabrics will be reversed - you can get creative with these bonus blocks. Give it a try and send me a PM if you still have questions.
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Originally Posted by Preeti
(Post 6670566)
There is an easier way of doing it and I can explain it. I am just not sure I can do a good job in the absence of pictures, but I will try. 1. Take two strips of fabric 2.5" wide by width of the fabric (WOF). 2. Take one strip of fabric 5" wide by WOF. 3. Stitch the three strips side by side with the wide strip in the center. 4. Fold it into half (RST), so that the wider strip has a crease all along its length. 5. Now stitch the folded fabric, such that you have the crease on the left and the two identical strips are on the right, making sure that the right sides are together. Now, the magic begins. Use your 45 degree triangle ruler and cut out triangles. If you are familiar with the tube technique, you know what I am talking about. Once you are done cutting, you should get the snowball block. You will also get the other block, where the fabrics will be reversed - you can get creative with these bonus blocks. Give it a try and send me a PM if you still have questions.
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Originally Posted by nativetexan
(Post 6671332)
http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2010/10...ner-trick.html
this is one way. see the line in the first pic? That would be the fold line some are talking about. just fold over and finger press rather than marking. both ways work |
Originally Posted by Geri B
(Post 6671046)
..I also leave the front and background triangle there, just cut out that middle one. This way when you are piecing you are lining up with the background of both pieces, which is the true edge-- because sometimes no matter how carefully you sew it still gets a little wonky, and that background triangle is there to keep the block straight. There is not that much bulk having the two fabs there. And a snowball corner should be 1/3 of the size of that block...usually anyway.....
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This thread came along at just the right time for me and has great tips in it. I'm doing corners on square blocks-- bigger than snowballs but the technique is the same. Thanks to everyone who shared their methods. I have gotten great results after reading them!
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