How To Make A Snowball Quilt Block In Minutes!

A Simple Quilt Block With An Optical Illusion

We can thank the Amish for inventing the Snowball quilt block. For about 100 years, this simple quilt block has been the foundation for many beautiful quilts. Here’s a fun fact about this quilt block’s optical illusion – up close, it is an octagon shape, but if you stand back, it looks like a circle. And the best part about this fun fact is that you can create this illusion by sewing four straight stitches. I said this is super easy!

12-inch Square Snowball Quilt Block

About The Snowball Quilt Block

Snowball quilt blocks are super easy to make and very versatile. That also makes them the perfect blocks for a quick quilt. Of course, many of these Snowball quilts were used in the home or were given as gifts. And some were exhibited in museums like this one.

Antique Snowball Quilt

This variation of a classic snowball quilt, by an unknown maker, was created in the late 1800s and was exhibited at the International Quilt Museum at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

In this blog, I’ll share with you a two-step process to make a finished 12-inch Snowball Quilt Block in minutes using the sew-and-flip method. Let me show you how it’s done.

📌Checklist and Supplies Needed To Make The Snowball Quilt Block

Be prepared for this project. See “Supplies and Tools”, “Fabric” and “Getting Ready To Sew”.

Supplies and Tools 

These are the tools and supplies that I used to make the Snowball Quilt Block.

Open-Toe Presser Foot (Optional: With center needle mark)
Coordinating Cotton Threads
Thread Snips, Wool Pressing Mat
Rotary Cutter, 6 x 24 Inch Ruler, 6-inch Square Ruler and a Rotating Cutting Mat
Sewing Stiletto and Long Flower Pins
Chalk Markers
Heat Erasable Fabric Marking Pens

Supplies

Fabrics

You’ll need one piece of white fabric for the snowball and one piece of contrasting fabric for the four corners.

Tip: I recommend using a solid fabrics, but you can make this block scrappy by using up your fabric scraps for each of the corners.

This is the perfect opportunity to use some leftover fabric from previous projects to make this block.

One Piece Of White Fabric And One Piece of Contrasting Fabric

Fabrics

Cut one 12-inch square of white fabric. Then cut (four) 5-inch squares of one solid contrasting fabric.

Cut White Fabric And Cut Coordinating Fabric

Cut Fabrics

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📌Make The Snowball Quilt Block In Two Easy Steps

To begin the process of making the Snowball quilt block you must have the square of white fabric, face up in your work area.

White Fabric Face Up

Step One: Prep And Position The Four Corners Squares

You need to create a diagonal line in the middle of each square on the wrong side of the square. Later, you’ll use this line to sew each corner to the white square.

Use your favorite way to create the line. You can create this line by folding the square in half on the diagonal. Or you can draw a diagonal line. I prefer to draw a diagonal along the center of the square using a heat erasable pen or chalk marker.

Diagonal Line Drawn On The Center Of The Corner Square

Step Two: Sew And Flip The Four Corner Squares

Position each corner square on the corners of the white fabric. Remember to check that each corner square is aligned with the white fabric square. Pin in place to prevent shifting while sewing.

Corner Squares Positioned On The White Fabric Square

Then sew to the right of the diagonal line on each corner square. More about this shortly.

Tip: If you sew right next to the diagonal line, your pressed fold will not shrink the outer edge of the corner. Ask me how I know this!

Sew Two Needle Positions To The Right Of The Drawn Diagonal Line

An open-toe presser foot with a center needle mark and your sewing machine’s capability to move the needle position two stitch widths to the right, is the best combination for sewing next to the diagonal line with an accurate straight line.

Tip: That extra stitch width of space will prevent corners that are too short after you have flipped and pressed the corners. The corners will lay flat without stretching the fabric. It works like a ‘dart’ on a dress.

Now you are ready to sew! Just use the center mark on the presser foot to follow the drawn diagonal line. Take your time with this. The straightest stitches yield the best visual result.

Sewing Next To The Diagonal Line

You will have two triangles in each corner. Trim only the bottom white triangle corner. Flip both contrasting corner triangles on to the white fabric square so that they are not cut. Keeping the contrasting corner triangles uncut stabilizes the corners.

Then trim each white corner square ¼-inch from your stitched seam.

Trimming A Quarter-Inch From The Stitches

Flip up and finger press each corner to train it to lay flat. Then press with a hot iron.

Press Each Corner Away From The White Fabric Square

Then trim the Snowball block to 12-inches square. With this method heavy trimming will not be necessary.

Tip: Your Snowball block is well proportioned if you can measure two-inches of white fabric between each corner.

Trim The Snowball Quilt Block 12-inches Square

Well done! Your Snowball Quilt Block is finished.

Finished 12-Inch Square Snowball Quilt Block

Use this Snowball quilt block method made with solid colors or create your own variation of this block using other color combinations in your next project. It makes a great addition to any quilt block library.