Snail's trail - need opinions and help
 

I'd like to make a small quilt or wall hanging for my neighbor whose husband passed away. He was a ship captain so I'd like to incorporate a picture of his boat. I'd like to use the snail trail , but I think I'll need some help as I heard the best way to do this is with paper piecing which I've never done before. Here are a couple of my ideas.

What a thoughtful idea!
I like the first one the best as it looks more like waves with the dark fabric on the bottom. Jmho

Visit Carol Doak's website for free instruction on paper piecing and try a couple of her free blocks to get the hang of it ( some of us Love paper piecing and try to do it all the time! Carol is a great teacher- wonderful way to start.

I agree completely with tiggersmom. The first looks like waves. I also agree that paper piecing is the best way to go with the snail's trail, which is a difficult block otherwise.

It looks like waves. Check out the quilt store in Florida: Quilting by the Bay. They have an interesting pattern set up for the Row by Row experience. Might give you some additional ideas.

I think the first looks the most like waves too. Snail's Trail is an easy block to paper piece. I don't think you will have a problem. What a thoughtful gift for your neighbor.

very nice gesture. I like the first one, looks like waves.

That's a wonderful idea. I like the 2nd and 3rd versions best. Whatever you choose, it will be a lovely gift.

I agree with others --- the first is the best choice. It's possible to do a snails trail w/o PPing.

What a sweet Idea. I love the movement of the first one.

I only made Two Snails Trails block and they were both 6 1/2" Sq. The entire background was a beach scene with sand, ocean, and sky. I did not paper piece. I had no trouble cutting and piecing the blocks. I would definitely do it again trying out a 12 1/2" Sq block.