Old-World Snowballs

Inspired by "Optical Illusion" designer Allison Jane Smith of Plaids and Prints

Quiltmaker: Mary Pepper

• 13--18x22" pieces (fat quarters) assorted large-scale prints in blue, red, black, gray, green, taupe and tan (blocks, border)
• 3/4 yard gold print (blocks, border)
• 1/2 yard red print (binding)
• 3 yards backing fabric
• 56" square batting

Finished Quilt: 49-1/2" square

Finished Block: 9" square

Quantities are for 44/45"–wide, 100% cotton fabrics.

Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut pieces in the following order.

From assorted blue, red, black, gray, green, taupe and tan fat quarters, cut:

• 25–-9-1/2"squares
• 20–-2-1/2x9-1/2" rectangles

From gold print, cut:

• 144-–2-1/2" squares for blocks, borders and corners

From red print, cut:

• 5–-2-1/2x42" binding strips

1. Use a pencil to mark a diagonal line on wrong side of each 2-1/2" gold print square. To prevent fabric from stretching as you draw the lines, place 220-grit sandpaper under squares.

2. Align a marked square with one corner of an assorted print 9-1/2" square (Diagram 1; note direction of marked line). Sew on drawn line; trim excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance. Press open attached triangle.

3. Repeat Step 2 to add three matching marked squares to remaining corners of 9-1/2" square to make a Snowball block (Diagram 1; again note direction of drawn lines). The block should be 9-1/2" square including seam allowances.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make 25 Snowball blocks total.

1. Align a marked gold print 2-1/2" square on one end of an assorted print 2-1/2x9-1/2" rectangle (Diagram 2; note direction of marked line). Sew on marked line; trim excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance. Press open attached triangle.

2. Add marked square to opposite end of rectangle to make a border unit (Diagram 2; again note direction of marked line). The border unit should still be 2-1/2x9-1/2" including seam allowances. Repeat to make 20 border units total.

1. Referring to Quilt Assembly Diagram, lay out blocks, border units, and four remaining gold 2-1/2" squares in seven horizontal rows.

2. Sew together pieces in each row. Press seams in one direction, alternating direction with each row.

3 Join rows to complete quilt top. Press seams in one direction.

1. Layer quilt top, batting, and backing; baste.

2. Quilt as desired.

3. Bind with red print binding strips.