3 Tips for Snowball Quilt Blocks

Snowball quilt blocks are easy to make in a variety of sizes. These tips will ensure that yours turn out perfectly.

A Snowball quilt block consists of a plain block (usually a square, but can also be a rectangle) in which the corners are made of triangles.

Snowball blocks are great ways to feature embroidery, applique, fussy cutting or quilting designs.

If you struggle to get your blocks looking right, these three tips will help.

See it All

Below you will find:

• video tutorial
• step-by-step written tutorial with pictures
• 3 tips for improvement

Video

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Tutorial

How to make a basic Snowball quilt block. It uses a common technique often called “stitch and flip”.

Fabric requirements

For each block, you need a large fabric piece that is the size you want your finished block to be (eg. 6-1/2″, 12-1/2″, etc.) Then you need four smaller squares in the size you want the triangles to be.

The sample block has a 6-1/2″ white square and 2-1/2″ red squares.

Stitch

Line up one of the smaller squares in the corner of the larger square.

Stitch a diagonal line from corner to corner on the smaller square.

Trim

Trim away the excess.

The excess can be turned into a half-square triangle, but that is optional. (See more in this bonus triangle tutorial.)

Press

Fold the smaller triangle back and press.

Repeat

Repeat on the other three corners to finish the block.

The corners can be the same, or you can use different fabrics to make a scrappy block.

Tips for improvement

If your snowball block is not turning out exactly how you want, try one or more of these tips.

Mark the stitching lines

Some people like to use a reference line on the bed of the sewing machine for stitching the diagonal line. (See this tip for more details).

That can work, but if your blocks aren’t turning out as accurately as you would like them to be, then be sure to mark the line directly on the square.

It takes time to mark each square, but the results will be more accuracy.

Stitch to one side

If your triangles are ending up a bit small, try stitching just to the side of the line instead of on the line. Just a hair away can make a big difference.

Stitch to the side closest to the outside corner.

This can help eliminate any loss that happens due the thickness of the fabric and thread.

Cut the squares larger

This option is probably a last resort because it is more work, but it will guarantee a good result.

For this option, cut the smaller square larger than what you actually need. So instead of 2-1/2″ squares, cut 3″ squares.

Because the squares are larger, you cannot stitch on the diagonal of the small square. You will need to mark the diagonal line on the larger fabric.

Measure down and across from the corner the same distance as it would be on the original smaller square. (2-1/2″ in the example). Join those two points to make a diagonal line.

Place the small square underneath the corner. Do not line up the diagonals. You want more fabric on the inside of the square.

Stitch directly on the marked line and trim the extra the same as before.

Press back. The corner piece will extend beyond the corner of the block.

Trim down the corner. Align the ruler with the sides and top of the block to square it off.

The result is a perfect corner.

Repeat on the other three corners.

Enjoy making snowball blocks and using them in quilting projects.

More quilt blocks

See more quilt block tutorials in my collection of 5″ blocks and full Quilt Block Directory.