"Cut From the Same Cloth" – Snowball Block Quilt

The inspiration for this quilt was of course, my mother. I decided to make the blocks in matching groups of four to represent my three siblings, Neal, Ilisa and Lara, and myself as we are my mother's lasting legacy – and we are "cut from the same cloth".

For this quilt I used all of the Bari J. for Art Gallery Fabrics "My Mother's Daughter" fabrics. I didn't get to the back yet because I intend to make mine a queen or even a king size, but I'll be using the Topiary Toile Linen. This quilt is fat quarter friendly. For each group of four snowballs you just need 1 fat quarter. For ach additional square according to the chart add another fat quarter. There are sixteen fabrics for the main squares, you'll be repeating fabrics when you make larger than a throw size.

See this page to find out where to purchase the fabrics. If your local quilt shop doesn't already carry My Mother's Daughter and other Bari J. fabrics, we appreciate you asking them to contact AGF to get it.

For wholesale info visit Art Gallery Fabrics.

My favorite quilting and sewing supplies are found here. This is an affliate link.

Before You Begin:

All seam allowances are ¼″ unless otherwise noted.

Each 12½″ unfinished block is made from:

Four matching 6½″ fabric squares
Sixteen 2½″ snowball-corner squares – four for each 6½″ square

The four 6½″ squares within each block should all be cut from the same fabric. Refer to the quilt-size chart for the total number of blocks and squares needed for your chosen quilt.

For greater accuracy, I like to use a small amount of Elmer's Washable School Glue with a fine tip to baste pieces in place before sewing. Place the glue within the seam allowance so it does not interfere with the stitching line. Use a dry iron to dry the glue. No steam. Never sew with wet glue. Remember: elmer's washes right out when your quilt is done. No biggie.

Make the Snowball Units

• Using a removable fabric-marking tool and a ruler, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each 2½″ square. Alternatively, use a piece of tape on your machine to line up the angle when you sew or use a laser guide.
• Place one marked 2½″ square right sides together on one corner of a 6½″ square. Align the two outside edges exactly.
• Sew directly on the marked diagonal line.

• Using your ruler as a guide measure ¼″ toward the outside corner from the stitched line and cut away the excess fabric. Cut through both layers, leaving a ¼″ seam allowance.
• Press the remaining small triangle outward toward the corner. Avoid stretching the diagonal edge.
• Repeat these steps on the other three corners of the 6½″ square.
• Check that the completed snowball unit still measures 6½″ square. Trim only if necessary, taking care not to remove the corner points.

Make four matching snowball units for every 12½″ block.

Make the 12½″ Blocks

• Arrange four matching 6½″ snowball units in two rows of two. The four inside snowball corners will meet to create the diamond at the center of the block.
• Sew the two units in the top row together. Sew the two units in the bottom row together.
• Press the seam allowance of the top row in one direction and the seam allowance of the bottom row in the opposite direction.
• Place the two rows right sides together. Match the center seams, nest the seam allowances against one another, and glue baste or pin at the intersection.
• Sew the two rows together. Press the joining seam to one side.
• The completed block should measure 12½″ unfinished and will finish at 12″ when sewn into the quilt.

For accurately matched points, alternate the direction in which the final horizontal seam is pressed from block to block. This allows the seams to nest when the blocks are joined.

Repeat to make the number of 12½″ blocks shown in the quilt-size chart.

Assemble the Quilt Top

Refer to the quilt-size chart above for the correct number of blocks across and down:

• Arrange the completed blocks in the desired order.
• Step back or take a photograph to check the distribution of color, value, and print before sewing.
• Sew the blocks together to make horizontal rows. At each matching seam, nest the seam allowances, glue baste or pin, and sew across the intersection.
• Press the seams in every other row in opposite directions. For example, press the seams in Row 1 toward the right, Row 2 toward the left, Row 3 toward the right, and continue alternating.
• Place the first two rows right sides together. Nest each opposing seam, glue baste or pin at the intersections, and sew the rows together.
• Continue adding rows in the same way until the quilt top is complete.
• Press the row-joining seams in one direction, alternating the direction from one seam to the next if desired to distribute bulk.

The measurements in the quilt-size chart are the finished dimensions before borders. Add borders after assembling the quilt top if you would like to increase the final size.