Sister's Choice Quilts

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Snow Ball Block Question

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I am making hundreds of Snowball blocks for the Miss Rosie quilt pattern "Jelly Bellies".  As you probably know, a common technique that is used when constructing this block, is to sew a square diagonally across the four corners of a larger block.  The excess fabric then needs to be trimmed away to eliminate bulk.  Tell me friends, how do you trim your block corners?  Are you confident enough in your accurate piecing to trim everything away, or do you trim just the middle layer so you know that your block is perfectly square?

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46 responses to “Snow Ball Block Question”

  1. I cut only the middle layer out. This way I know I always have a square block. I know it adds more bulk, but whenever I don’t follow that I always have a distorted block.
    Sounds like a BIG pile of snowball blocks in your house, good luck 🙂 Karen

  2. I cut only the middle layer out. This way I know I always have a square block. I know it adds more bulk, but whenever I don’t follow that I always have a distorted block.
    Sounds like a BIG pile of snowball blocks in your house, good luck 🙂 Karen

  3. I used to just cut out the middle layer, but that can really get thick…so now I draw a diagonal line on the square,sew right on the line and cut away both layers. Then I’m very careful to press so I don’t stretch anything. You could probably do the same thing with the Angler and not draw the line. The line is an extra step, but it’s accurate.

  4. I used to just cut out the middle layer, but that can really get thick…so now I draw a diagonal line on the square,sew right on the line and cut away both layers. Then I’m very careful to press so I don’t stretch anything. You could probably do the same thing with the Angler and not draw the line. The line is an extra step, but it’s accurate.

  9. I iron it. If it lays properly, ie square, I cut the excess off. If not I use the seam ripper and start over. I will on occasion trim the block square then cut the excess. By ironing first, it gives me an idea how my block will look and it help eliminate distortion. Hope that helps!

  10. I iron it. If it lays properly, ie square, I cut the excess off. If not I use the seam ripper and start over. I will on occasion trim the block square then cut the excess. By ironing first, it gives me an idea how my block will look and it help eliminate distortion. Hope that helps!

  11. I only cut the center layer away. I leave the bottom one because unfortunately, things go astray way too often. I can line my pieces up better putting the blocks together if I know the square on the bottom is there to help.

  12. I only cut the center layer away. I leave the bottom one because unfortunately, things go astray way too often. I can line my pieces up better putting the blocks together if I know the square on the bottom is there to help.

  15. I double sew and trim both layers leaving me with a half square triangle block. So far I have not had any problems. Keeping my fingers crossed.

  16. I double sew and trim both layers leaving me with a half square triangle block. So far I have not had any problems. Keeping my fingers crossed.

  17. Well I never even thought about just cutting away the middle layer. But I guess that would assure squareness, huh? But I bet that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about, Nicole. Your piecing is so beautiful. I say cut away the whole thing to eliminate the bulk.

  18. Well I never even thought about just cutting away the middle layer. But I guess that would assure squareness, huh? But I bet that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about, Nicole. Your piecing is so beautiful. I say cut away the whole thing to eliminate the bulk.

  23. I’m a lazy quilter. I just eyeball the diagonal line and sew it.
    Then if the corner block is 2.5″ or bigger, I’ll “double sew” it 3/8ths of an inch away and have a bonus HST. The HST will measure 2″ on a 2.5″ corner square.
    I did say I was lazy. Cuz with that method, presto, I get an “extra” HST. 😉

  24. I’m a lazy quilter. I just eyeball the diagonal line and sew it.
    Then if the corner block is 2.5″ or bigger, I’ll “double sew” it 3/8ths of an inch away and have a bonus HST. The HST will measure 2″ on a 2.5″ corner square.
    I did say I was lazy. Cuz with that method, presto, I get an “extra” HST. 😉

  25. I cut out the middle layer that way I still have the corners to square up my block. Don’t know if this is correct but I found when I cut off all I can’t square it up correctly. There you have my opinion.

  26. I cut out the middle layer that way I still have the corners to square up my block. Don’t know if this is correct but I found when I cut off all I can’t square it up correctly. There you have my opinion.

  27. I’m sure the extra thickness would “bug” me. I tend to over-cut things by a couple of threads, or even more, so that I have space to square up the block without panic. I also like to give things a shot of spray starch or fabric finish if there is concern about holding the desired shape. I also square as I build the block. Takes time, but it’s worth it. I always think I will try Leah’s double sewn corner half square triangles, but I guess I’m lazier than she is. I never seem to get to it. 😉

  28. I’m sure the extra thickness would “bug” me. I tend to over-cut things by a couple of threads, or even more, so that I have space to square up the block without panic. I also like to give things a shot of spray starch or fabric finish if there is concern about holding the desired shape. I also square as I build the block. Takes time, but it’s worth it. I always think I will try Leah’s double sewn corner half square triangles, but I guess I’m lazier than she is. I never seem to get to it. 😉

  29. I cut it all off. I tend to want to get projects done quickly and find it irritating to only cut the middle layer! I quick spray of homemade spray starch does wonders!

  30. I cut it all off. I tend to want to get projects done quickly and find it irritating to only cut the middle layer! I quick spray of homemade spray starch does wonders!

  35. I always only ever cut away the middle layer, it keeps every thing nice and square by leaving the original square. The extra thickness adds warmth to your quilt.
    Kerry

  36. I always only ever cut away the middle layer, it keeps every thing nice and square by leaving the original square. The extra thickness adds warmth to your quilt.
    Kerry

  37. Novice quilter like me has yet to form an real opinion on this one…but cutting the middle seems the best way so far…Your block looks nice & neat :o)

  38. Novice quilter like me has yet to form an real opinion on this one…but cutting the middle seems the best way so far…Your block looks nice & neat :o)

  39. Wow — what a sheltered life I’m leading — it never occurred to me to just trim the “middle” layer. Trim it all! Too much bulk. Besides, I don’t understand how not trimming the block makes your sewing more square. You must be saying that when you continue to piece, you follow the lines on the original block, in case you missed the mark a hair on the corners? I think it would be hard for me to get used to sewing the three layers in the corners. Hmmmm, interesting.

  40. Wow — what a sheltered life I’m leading — it never occurred to me to just trim the “middle” layer. Trim it all! Too much bulk. Besides, I don’t understand how not trimming the block makes your sewing more square. You must be saying that when you continue to piece, you follow the lines on the original block, in case you missed the mark a hair on the corners? I think it would be hard for me to get used to sewing the three layers in the corners. Hmmmm, interesting.

  43. You can sew two diagonals on your little squares in each corner and then cut between them, giving you small HSTs to use in another project – have only done it once, but was very happy with the results. (Is that clear? Hope so. Maybe a tutorial is necessary…) Love snowballs! Simple is good!

  44. You can sew two diagonals on your little squares in each corner and then cut between them, giving you small HSTs to use in another project – have only done it once, but was very happy with the results. (Is that clear? Hope so. Maybe a tutorial is necessary…) Love snowballs! Simple is good!