On those snowball blocks and others where we use a square and sew on the diagonal and trim the block. Couldn't we use a square that's a quarter inch larger and mark a line 1/4" either side of the diagonal with one of those little rulers that allow you to do that. When you cut off along your line, couldn't you use the other half for the opposite side of the block. Or would it be too much work? Of course you'd have to sew the other half on the bias. It just seems like so much waste.

sounds like it would work

You could do it, but it might be more work than just using a square.

Might work. Starch. Starch some more.
And again, so that it feels like cardboard.
Press, do NOT iron. Press.
You won't notice the bias that way.

Waste? I make small half square triangles from the cut offs. You can use them in the current quilt or another project. I sew the first seam, then sew the extra seam about 1/2" away, then cut between the seams. You have your block plus a bonus hst.

I think this is what you are talking about. I started doing this recently. Mark you sewing line - sew on it - then sew another parallel seam 1/2" into the "throw away" piece - cut off.

You will then have your snow ball corner and a half sq triangle.

those make great 'leaders and enders' and once you have done these for a while, you'll have enough for a scrap quilt!

For Quarter square triangles, here is a simple tutorial.
http://www.patchwork-and-quilting.co...triangles.html

experiment with paper to check the size!

Yes you can do it either way, which ever you're most comfortable with.

My cut off triangle pieces are saved for other projects.