September 23, 2006

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!      Since I love snow, and since it's just about that time of the year, I thought I'd put together a quick, pieced snowflake block. This simple block measures 10" unfinished and 9.5" finished and is made from squares and half-square triangles (HST).

Cutting Requirements for One Block:

1. Using the 4 white 3.5" squares and the 4 dark blue/background 3.5" squares, make the HST according to your preferred method. When finished, these HST should measure exactly 2.5". Refer to the HST Tutorial if you don't have a preferred method and would like a quick and easy way to make them. Once finished, you should have a total of 8 - 2.5" HST that are similar to this:
   
2. There are 5 rows to construct when making this block. Row 1 includes 2 HST and 3 solid white 2.5" squares. Lay them out (as pictured), sew them together with scant (just shy of) 1/4" seams, press the seams going toward one direction. Row 1 should look like this when assembled:
   
3. Row 2 includes 2 HST and 3 solid white 2.5" squares, also. Lay them out, as pictured below, sew them together with scant 1/4" seams, press toward the opposite direction of Row 1. This row should look like this when assembled:
   
4. Row 3 is made up of 5 solid white 2.5" squares, all sewn together with scant 1/4" seams. Press in the same direction as Row 1. This row should look like this when finished:
   
5. Row 4 is made up of 2 HST and 3 solid white 2.5" squares. Lay these out, as pictured below, sew together with scant 1/4" seams, and press in the same direction as you did Row 2. This row should look like this when assembled:
   
6. Row 5 is made up of 2 HST and the 3 remaining solid white 2.5" squares. Lay these out, as pictured, sew with scant 1/4" seams, press in the same direction as Rows 1 and 3. This row should look like this:
   
7. Now that all 5 rows are finished, lay them out as shown in the illustration below, sew with a scant 1/4" seam, and press the block flat. When finished, it should measure 10" before placement in a quilt, and 9.5" after included in a quilt.
   

     Here are a few sample layout suggestions:

• Quilt
• Tablerunner
• Tablerunner 2 with Appliqué
• Quilt with Appliqué
• Quilt with Appliqué

     Appliqué block used in the samples above coming at the end of December as the January 2002 Block of the Month!

     Here are some tips for adding some pizazz to your quilt:

1. Try adding a fussy cut snowman on a white background to one of the center squares, remember that you want to make the backgrounds blend.
2. Try using a white on white fabric that looks like tiny pieces of snow falling.
3. Try using a dark, midnight blue for the background, so that it looks like a dark, perhaps starry night.
4. Insert fussy cuts into the cornerstones of the sashing.

     Be sure to check the Gallery for finished quilts and if you make one of these, please send me a picture and I'll add it to the Subscriber's Gallery!

     Since each of these patterns are designed exclusively by me, please be sure to read my copyright notice before embarking on a quilting journey with any of my patterns. Thanks!

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