Mystery Snowball – January 2021

The second block for January 2021 block was chosen as for many it is winter, and snow is everywhere.   This block is called the Mystery Snowball.  This block was first published in the Kansas City Star, on  June 11, 1947.

You can make this with multiple colors using some scraps, or you can do it with two colors, a light and a dark.   You can do the block in whatever colors you want.

This block is made up of two 9-patch blocks, and two snowballed squares.

This block will finish at 12″ x 12″ (unfinished 12 ½” x 12 ½”).

Fabric Cutting

Assembly

Step 1 – Snowball

Use 2 of each color of piece 3.  Draw a diagonal line down the back of all eight pieces.

Lay one of each color on the four corners of piece 1 (6 ½” x 6 ½”).

Make sure the diagonal lines are from the sides to the other side, not going from the corner to the middle of the block.

Stitch on the drawn lines.

Trim 1/4″ from the stitch line, (away from the middle of the block).

Press open seam, pressing the fabric towards the darker fabric.

Double Check that your square is still 6 ½” x 6 ½”.

Repeat for the second block.  You will have a total of two Snowball blocks.

NOTE: You can sew a ½” away from the drawn line as well, and then cut between the two lines, to create a bonus HST (Half Square Triangle) that you can use for another project. 

Using the remaining pieces, lay out 5 of the white and one of each of the four colors in the following patch.  The four corners and center will be the white.

Sew the pieces together, making sure that as you go they stay in the order you want, the white in the four corners, and the middle.

Repeat to make a second nine patch block.

Square up the blocks to 6 ½” x 6 ½”

Final assembly

Lay the four blocks out alternating the snowball and the 9 patch.

Sew the blocks together.

Press the seams.

You have now completed the Mystery Snowball block, the second block for January 2021.

I look forward to seeing all your wonderful blocks!  Make sure to post on the Facebook group!  Remember to add the hashtag #MysterySnowball.

Click here for PDF of the instructions.

Here are some other options for the block, depending on your colors.