28 McCall’s Quick Quilts October/November 2010

Designed by Maria Umhey

Finished Quilt Size60˝ x 60˝

Number of Blocks and Finished Size60 Snowball Blocks 4H˝ x 4H˝

Q quick 1-block

Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q

shopBlack/cream dot (block corners) K yd.Assorted red/cream/ black prints (block 1K-1L centers) yds. totalBlack-on-black print (block corners, 1st border) 1 yd.Black/red floral (setting squares, 2nd border corners) I yd.

Black/red vine print (setting squares, 2nd border corners) M yd.Red-on-red print (2nd border) M yd.Black/red stripe (bias-cut binding) 1 yd. Backing 4 yds. Batting size 68˝ x 68˝

QuickQuilts.com October/November 2010 McCall’s Quick Quilts 29

cut (in order shown)Black/cream dot 76 squares 2˝ x 2˝Assorted red/cream/black prints—cut a total of: 60 squares 5˝ x 5˝Black-on-black print *4 strips 2˝ x 58˝, pieced from 6 width of fabric (WOF) strips 164 squares 2˝ x 2˝Black/red floral 30 squares 5˝ x 5˝ 2 squares 4˝ x 4˝

Black/red vine print 31 squares 5˝ x 5˝ 2 squares 4˝ x 4˝Red-on-red print *4 strips 4˝ x 60˝, pieced from 6 WOF stripsBlack/red stripe 1 square 28˝ x 28˝ (for 2H˝-wide bias-cut binding**)*Border strips include extra length for trimming.**See How to Make Continuous Bias in the Pattern Section.

plan This easy-to-sew design showcases rich, sophisticated prints from the Sophia collection by Windham Fabrics. Maria arranged the Snowball Blocks with black/cream dot corners in diagonal lines; do likewise if you wish. You may find it helpful to arrange all blocks and setting squares on a design wall or other flat surface before assembly.

objects of delightfavorite prints glow in a simple design

30 McCall’s Quick Quilts October/November 2010

sew 1 Draw diagonal line on wrong side

of black/cream dot 2˝ square. Referring to Diagram I-A, place marked square on assorted red/cream/black print 5˝ square, right sides together, aligning raw edges. Stitch on drawn line; trim away and discard excess fabric. Open and press. Repeat on all corners to complete Snowball Block. Make 19 total. In same manner make 41 total with black-on-black print corners (Diagram I-B).

2 Note: Refer to Assembly Diagram for following steps, watching placement. Sew 6 rows, each using 3 black/red floral and 3 black/red vine print 5˝ setting squares and 5 blocks. Stitch 5 rows, each using 6 blocks and 5 setting squares. Sew rows together in order shown.

3 Stitch black-on-black print 58˝ strips to sides; trim even with top and bottom. Sew remaining 58˝ strips to top/bottom; trim even with sides.

4 Measure exact width of quilt center from raw edge to raw edge. Trim 2 red-on-red print 60˝ strips

to this measurement, and sew 1 each floral and vine print 4˝ squares to ends. Stitch untrimmed red-on-red print strips to sides; trim even with top and bottom. Stitch pieced strips to top/bottom, watching orientation.

5 Layer, baste, and quilt. Maria machine quilted the blocks in the ditch, with the diagonal stitching continuing across the setting squares to create a diagonal grid. The 2nd border features double wavy lines stitched through the center. Bind with bias-cut black/red stripe.

Assembly Diagram

4˝

4˝ x 60˝

4˝ x

60˝

2” x

58˝

2˝ x 58˝

5˝

2˝

Diagram I-A

Make 19total

5”

Make 41total

Diagram I-B