Make Four-Patch Block Centers
Refer to the diagram as you assemble the Snail's Trail quilt block.
- Sew a 1-5/8" x 42" light strip lengthwise to a dark strip of the same size. Press seam allowance towards the dark strip.
- Square up one end of the strip set and cut twenty-five 1-5/8" segments from it.
- Combine remaining like-sized 1-5/8" wide strips to make a total of 84 segments.
- Make a four-patch unit by sewing two segments together, placing like colors diagonally from each other. Press. Make 42 four-patch units.
Finish Assembling the Snail's Trail Quilt Block
Triangles increase in size around the center. Speed up assembly by chain piecing one triangle position at a time.
Fold triangles in half to find the midpoint along their longest edge. Match the midpoint to the midpoint of the unit you are sewing to.
- Sew a light triangle cut from 2-1/2" squares to opposite sides of the four patch center, orienting it as shown. Press seam allowances towards triangles.
- Add dark triangles of the same size to remaining four-patch edges. Press.
- Continue adding triangles in pairs around the block, working from smaller to larger triangles and referring to the diagram for placement.
- Your block should measure 9-1/2" x 9-1/2". If it doesn't press and remeasure. If it still isn't quite right, inspect the block, looking for inconsistencies in sewing. Adjust for the next block.
- Make a total of 42 Snail's Trail quilt blocks.
