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How Do You Make A Perfect Snowball? |
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I Did Not Answer The Question!
In the last newsletter I told you to use the Perfect Corner Ruler to solve the perfect snowball problem, I passed the ol' buck, so to say because I didn't actually say how to make it. This time I will give you the steps involved so that you can do it on your own.
This is the first of three emails! The first [this one] covers how to make a snowball without the Perfect Corner Ruler. The second email will cover how to make a snowball using the Perfect Corner Ruler. The third is on how Ruth invented the Perfect Corner Ruler.
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Just A Minute Now!
We will be using what may appear to be a bizarre technique. We will be drawing a line on the wrong side [backside] of the main block's fabric. Ruth did this because sewing on the main block is more accurate than sewing on the small corner square, then folding the corner square and expecting it to fit into the corner, as with the "Sew & Flip" technique. After all, it is the finished main block that must be exact.
At the time of discovering this technique, Ruth had been working with Paper Piecing projects, which are very exact, when she designed, made and assembled her Quilt Of Many Colors [RGR112], shown here, for a Block Of The Month Club [BOM], she naturally used the techniques used in Paper Piecing, which most quilters do not use.
Here We Go!
First, you have got to have the right sized block. Please refer to the previous newsletter that has a table of reasonable block sizes. They are "reasonable" in that quilters usually do not deal with measurements of less than an eighth of an inch, say 11/32". So, if you want a main block that requires a corner square with that unusual amount [say 5 11/32"], most quilters will just go on to another project.
Using A Pattern
The pattern will tell you the size of the main block, say 4 1/2". It will also give you the size of the corner squares, say 2 1/2". Add 3/4" of an inch to that size, making it 3 1/4" for the "new corner square".
Cut that new corner square in half on the diagonal making two triangles that are 3 1/4" on the sides. So, you use a little more fabric, but you have two triangles out of one corner square. Therefore, you use fewer corner squares and end up saving fabric!
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Cut a total of two new corner squares [i.e. one more], and make a total of four corner triangles.
Now that we have our corner triangles, lets get started doing the snowball.
Making The Snowball
1.Take the main 4 1/2" block and draw a line on the wrong side [back] of the main block at the size that the pattern gave for the size of the corner block, which would be 2 1/2" for this size main block. Measure out 2 1/2" from the corner on each side and draw a line between them. While you are making the marks on one side, you may as well measure and mark all four corner-sides. [Note: any ruler will work for this, we just happen to have a Perfect Corner Ruler available for this diagram.]
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Notice that we mark and sew on the main block. The reason is that the main block is the base of the design, and NOT the corner squares. The unfinished block must have the corner triangles in the appropriate location, with the triangle's corners in the right place on the main block.
2.With right sides together, place one new triangle underneath the main block. Notice that you are looking at the wrong side of the main block. Make sure that the angled edge [tabs] extends approximately equally 1/4" to 3/8" beyond the drawn line, for a seam allowance. Make sure that both of the exposed "tabs" appear to be of equal size. That will adequately center the triangle.
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3.Pin and sew directly on the drawn line to join the main block and the new corner triangle together. Notice that we are sewing on the wrong side of the main block. Sewing on the large main block gives stability to the sewing as opposed to sewing on the much smaller corner triangle or square. |
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4.Square the block. This gets rid of the tabs as well as the excess fabric. [Remember that we added 3/4" to the corner square giving you the extra fabric to adequately center the triangle under to main block, above!] This step gives the technique its accuracy. |
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5.Trim off to the seam allowance by folding back the new corner triangle. |
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6.Repeat steps #1 - #5 on the other three corners and you have an snowball of an unfinished size [e.g. 1/2" larger than the finished snowball]. |
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7.Assembly with other blocks and such will bring it into better perspective. |
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I trust that will be of assistance.
Thanks
If you have any questions that need to be answered on this email or on desired topics, then please write to me at RickG@ForeverInStitches.com.
Thank you for your time and interest.
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May The Lord Richly Bless You!
Rick & Ruth Grihalva
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At Forever In Stitches our goal is to further the art of quilting and longarming.
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Please note that a history of our newsletters, since mid-2016, can be found on our web-site: ForeverInStitches.com.
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