Welcome to the fifth week, and the fifth project, of How to Quilt: A Beginner’s Guide . This week we’re learning how to make a snowball quilt block. From there, we’ll turn the block into Snowball name tag.
To get started, we’ve made a playlist of uquilt videos that show you pre-sewing skills, strip cutting, accurate quarter inch seams and more. Take a moment to watch and review. Be sure to refer to your sewing machine’s manual for specific threading and setup guidance.
VIDEO
Now that we’re caught up on our skills, let’s make a Snowball Name Tag!
VIDEO
Follow along with the written instructions below.
Snowball Name Tag
The fabrics to make the Snowball Name Tag pictured above are part of the How To Quilt Fabric Bundle , which includes all the fabrics for the series. There’s also a starter kit  with sewing and quilting supplies.
Fabric/Supply Requirements
1/8 yard of Dark Value fabric
1/8 yard of Light Value fabric
3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ of batting
Fine Tip Permanent Marker/Fabric Pen
Safety Pin
Coordinating color thread for topstitching
Cutting Instructions
From the light value fabric, cut:
(2) 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
From the dark value fabric, cut:
(4) 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″
Snowball Block Assembly
Mark the wrong side of the dark value 1 1/4″ squares in half diagonally once.
Lay a marked square on a light value 3 1/2″ square, aligned to one of the corners with the marked line oriented across the corner.
Sew on the marked line. Trim excess fabric a quarter inch from the marked line. Repeat on remaining corners. Press away from the center. Block measures 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ unfinished (with seam allowance).
Name Tag Assembly
Fold the Snowball block in half and press a light crease for a writing guide. Write your name across the center of the block using a fine tip permanent marker/fabric pen. Practice on some scrap fabric to get a feel for writing on fabric. Sometimes it works better to draw a line lightly and then go over it a second time to darken the line. Heat press the ink unless otherwise specified by marker manufacturer.
Layer together the Snowball block right side out, 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ batting square, and light value 3 1/2″ square right side out.
If you want, set your machine to a zig zag or other decorative stitch. We’ve included a video in the How to Quilt playlist above on setting your machine up for decorative stitching.
Sew around the edge of the name tag. Attach with a safety pin and wear it to a quilt show , a quilt guild meeting, or to a class at your local quilt shop!
Want more practice with Snowball Blocks?
Check out the Kelmscott in Winter Snowball Variation quilt made from 10″ pre-cut squares, a free pattern from AQSblog.
Ready to join a community of beginners, share your progress and get exclusives?
Join the How To Quilt AQS Facebook  group. We can’t wait to see what you make!