Recommended Free Tools
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Free scan · exact hardware match
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Free scan · no reinstall
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Free scan · under a minute
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
For a free snowball block tutorial you can adapt, start with Create Whimsy; for a complete quilt, choose a pattern with dimensions and cutting instructions, such as SewCanShe’s baby quilt or the Shabby Fabrics/Riley Blake design. A snowball block is a square with smaller fabric pieces sewn onto its four corners, creating a framed or altered-square effect. The options below distinguish block instruction from full quilt patterns so you can choose the right starting point.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Free snowball block patterns at a glance
| Option | What it provides | Size or scope | Corner construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Create Whimsy: free block tutorial | Adaptable instructions for making a snowball block; includes a worked example. | Example finishes at 6 inches; not a complete quilt pattern. | Corner squares sewn diagonally, then excess fabric trimmed. |
| AllPeopleQuilt: pattern collection | A collection of free snowball-block quilt patterns. | Individual pattern sizes vary; check the selected pattern. | Varies by included pattern. |
| SewCanShe: Sew Happy Together | Complete baby quilt pattern with snowball and nine-patch blocks, cutting lists, and an optional border choice. | 40 by 46 inches finished; blocks finish at 6 inches. | Template-based corner triangles; sewing squares diagonally and trimming is an alternative. |
| Shabby Fabrics/Riley Blake: Hydrangeas in the Garden Patchwork Quilt (Pink) | Free quilt pattern PDF. | 17 snowball blocks, each 8.5 inches square; quilt top is 40.5 by 56.5 inches before the additional borders described in the instructions. | Follow the PDF’s specific cutting and assembly directions. |
| Fat Quarter Shop: Snowballs sizing guide | Quilt sizing and cutting guide with fabric specifications. | Crib option: 37 by 48 inches, using 24 snowball blocks and 24 diamond blocks; twin and queen sizes are also listed. | Follow the guide’s stated cutting directions. |
Choose between a block tutorial and a full quilt
When you want to learn the block
Create Whimsy’s tutorial is the most direct choice if you want to make a snowball block at a size that suits your project. Its example is a 6-inch finished block, and the tutorial identifies the method as beginner level. It also notes that snowball blocks can work well for I Spy quilts and that adjacent blocks can form matching corner shapes.
The example uses one 6.5-inch base square and four 2.5-inch corner squares. Those dimensions make a 6-inch finished block in that tutorial; they are not a universal sizing formula. For another finished size or a different corner proportion, use the chosen pattern’s measurements rather than scaling these cuts by guesswork.
#1 Best Overall
When you want a complete quilt plan
SewCanShe’s Sew Happy Together combines snowball and nine-patch blocks in a finished 40-by-46-inch baby quilt. It provides cutting lists and uses template-based corner triangles for the snowballs, while noting that diagonally sewn squares trimmed afterward are another way to make the corners.
For a larger-format example, the Hydrangeas in the Garden pattern PDF specifies 17 snowball blocks measuring 8.5 inches square. Its quilt top measures 40.5 by 56.5 inches at the stated stage, before the additional borders in the instructions. The Fat Quarter Shop sizing guide offers crib, twin, and queen versions; its crib specification is 37 by 48 inches and calls for 24 snowballs alongside 24 diamond blocks.
Rank #2
- Orders are despatched from our UK warehouse next working day.
When you want several pattern ideas
AllPeopleQuilt’s collection gathers free quilt patterns that use the block. Snowballs can showcase favorite or large-print fabrics, and combining them with other blocks can create a more intricate overall look. Compare each linked pattern individually: a collection is a discovery page, not one set of universal cutting instructions.
How to make the basic square-corner block
The square-and-trim approach is a straightforward way to form the snowball’s four corners. For the 6-inch finished example, use the dimensions specified by Create Whimsy; for any other project, use its own pattern’s cuts.
Rank #3
- DAVID & CHARLES BOOKS-Jelly Rolls are the new fat quarter bundle! They consist of 1
- 5 inch strips of color coordinated fabric, rolled up to create a solid disk and tied with a ribbon
- Jelly Roll Quilts is the first book to show quilters the best ways to use these desirable and labor-saving fabric packs
- Learn how to make 16 quilts, perfectly suited to the color coordinated rolls, as well as a variation in color way, style or size for each project
- Jelly roll quilts are suitable for quilters of all abilities, especially those with a passion for fabrics
- Cut the pieces. For Create Whimsy’s 6-inch finished example, cut one 6.5-inch base square and four 2.5-inch corner squares. The cited tutorial also lists quilting fabric, thread, a sewing machine, iron and ironing board, rotary cutter, cutting mat, and quilting ruler.
- Position a corner square. Place one small square right sides together at a corner of the base square. Pay attention to print direction if the fabric has a directional motif.
- Sew diagonally. Stitch from one corner of the small square to its opposite corner, following the diagonal.
- Trim and press. Trim the outside excess so a quarter-inch seam allowance remains, then press the seam as you prefer.
- Repeat on the other three corners. Keep the corner pieces oriented consistently, then follow the pattern’s instructions for joining blocks and completing the quilt.
A second construction method uses corner triangles cut from a template instead of sewing squares and trimming the excess. SewCanShe’s pattern uses this method for its 6-inch finished blocks. Either approach can work; use the method and measurements specified in your chosen pattern.
Check the measurements before cutting
Finished block size, quilt dimensions, corner proportions, layout, and fabric requirements all affect whether a pattern fits your project. A 6-inch block’s corner-square dimensions should not be transferred automatically to an 8.5-inch block: the larger block may use different cuts and proportions. Read the full instructions before preparing fabric, and distinguish a quilt’s finished dimensions from an intermediate quilt-top measurement.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Precut fabric may reduce cutting work. Create Whimsy names layer cakes, charm packs, mini charm packs, and jelly roll strips as possible materials, subject to the dimensions required by the selected pattern. Confirm that the precut pieces suit both the base squares and corners before relying on them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Optional cutting aid
For a project with many matching blocks, AccuQuilt’s GO! Snowball-6″ Finished die is an optional specialty tool for 6-inch finished blocks. The manufacturer says it includes quarter-inch seam allowances and dog ears, is layer-cake and fat-quarter friendly, and comes with free pattern downloads and step-by-step assembly instructions. A die is not required: the cited patterns also provide rotary-cutting or template-based ways to make the corners.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
