This week we are doing a Snail's Trail block. This block is just like the Square in a Square block we did in Week 13 but this time you have to pay attention to the placement of fabric colors.
You will need 4 colors and a background
Fabric A - Color 1
Fabric B - Color 2
Fabric C - Color 3
Fabric D - Color 4
Fabric E - Background
Cutting:
Fabric A - Cut 1 - 7' square
Fabric A - Cut 1 - 4" square
Fabric A - 1 - 2" square
Fabric B - Cut 1 - 7" square
Fabric B - Cut 1 - 4" square
Fabric B - Cut 1 - 2" square
Fabric C - Cut 1 - 5 1/4" square
Fabric C - Cut 1 - 3" square
Fabric D - Cut 1 - 5 1/4" square
Fabric D - Cut 1 - 3" square
Fabric E - Cut 1 - 7" square
Fabric E - Cut 1 -5 1/4" square
Fabric E - Cut 1 - 4" square
Fabric E - Cut 1 - 3" square
Fabric E - Cut 2 - 2" squares
Sewing:
We are going to start with the Four Patch for the center of this block. You will need the Fabric A, B, and E 2" squares.
Arrange these squares exactly like the above picture. Sew the squares together as shown below. Press toward the Fabric A and B squares.
Sew these pieces together to complete the Four Patch.
*You can twist the seams to reduce the fabric bulk like the pictures below.
For the rest of the Fabric Squares you have cut, you are going to cut them in half on the diagonal as shown. Some of these, you will only use one of the triangles.
Fabric A, B, and E 7" squares
Fabric C, D, and E 5 1/4" squares
Fabric A, B, and E 4" squares
Fabric C, D, and E 3" squares
For the Fabric A - D (All the colors) you only need one triangle from each size above. You will need both triangles of each size Background.
I found that it was easiest to put the triangles in piles from smallest to largest like below.
The rest of the Snail's Trail block goes together like the Square in a Square block. You will sew on opposite side triangles, press, then sew on the other sides. Pay close attention to placement of the colors so that the design of the Snail's Trail is correct.
Begin with the center Four Patch and the smallest triangles.
Sew the Background triangles on first. Fold the triangles in half to find the center of the triangle and then line that up on the seam of Four Patch.
Tip: As you sew the triangles on for the rest of this block, sew with the triangles on the bottom so that you can see that you are sewing an accurate 1/4" seam.
Always press away from the center and toward the outer triangles.
Sew on the other two sides, press away from the center.
This square should measure 4 3/4". Trim if needed, making sure you leave the 1/4" seams.
Grab the next size triangles and repeat the steps from above.
Begin with the Background triangles, press toward triangles.
Add the other two sides, press toward the triangles. This square should measure 6 1/2". Trim if needed, making sure you don't cut off your seam allowances.
Grab the next size triangles.
Sew the Background triangles on first and press.
Sew the other two triangles on and press out toward triangles. This square should measure 8 3/4". Trim if necessary.
The final set of triangles is next.
Sew the background triangles on and press toward triangles.
Add the final two triangles press toward the triangles and trim to 12 1/2".
You did it! I know this one was a lot of pieces but I hope you enjoyed it!
Don't forget to post your pictures on the Ruth's Stitchery Facebook page to be entered into our May drawing.
