Setting Blocks: Snowball Block

If you've been making quilts for awhile, or if you are just beginning to learn to make quilts, you probably have some blocks that you would like to put together. Maybe you have a few appliqued or embroidered blocks but not enough for even a table runner. Let's talk about possibilities to set them together in the size you want.

In an earlier article directions for adding sashing were given, but sashings do not add much to the size. Alternating plain blocks in solid color or small figured fabric the same size as the quilt blocks will double the dimensions of your piece.

First press the pieced blocks and measure several to find the measurements for your setting blocks. (TIP: When beginning to applique or embroider a block, cut the background a little bigger than you want the final block to be. Applique and embroidery may pull the background out of square and you may need to trim it back into shape.)

Cut blocks that size. White, cream, small figured or solid colors are the usual choices of fabric for plain blocks.

Another block often used for setting blocks together is the "snowball." This is actually a block the same size as the pieced block with the four corners clipped off and replaced with a halfsquare triangle. The area clipped off can be any size you find attractive or that will fit with the pieced block.

Make this block by cutting squares of fabric and drawing a diagonal line on the wrong side. Place the square on the corner of the setting block, right sides together.

Stitch on diagonal line



Clip off the excess leaving a 1/4 inch seam


Press seam toward darker fabric.Repeat on other three corners



A Redwork Valentine


I had embroidered some darling kitties from Nancy J. Martin's book "Kitties to Stitch & Quilt." (That Patchwork Place, 2000) and worked them into a piece using the snowball block to set them together. This book has iron transfers ready to use in addition to many other designs to be traced. By adding the halfsquare triangle to the embroidered blocks as well as the snowball blocks, another design emerged, the diamond in the corner of the blocks.

You can leave all the setting snowballs plain and show off your fine quilting or you can add some detail.




The single heart in the center gives a spot of interest. I named this "I Love Kitties."


The copyright of the article Setting Blocks: Snowball Block in Quilting is owned by Jeanne Walsh. Permission to republish Setting Blocks: Snowball Block in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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