How to Sew: Stitch and Flip Quilt Blocks
The Stitch & Flip technique is a great way of adding angles to quilt blocks. A Snowball quilt block is a square with four corners that have been added using this technique, this is why this method is sometimes referred to as ‘snowballing’.
Smaller squares of fabric are added to larger squares or rectangles of fabric with a 45° (diagonal) seam, to create a triangular corner. Anywhere between 1 to 4 smaller squares can be added to create different effects. The size of the smaller squares can also be varied to create different block styles.
Here you can follow the step-by-step guide for adding Stitch & Flip (or Snowball) corners, plus there is a link to a demonstration video.
GET the Step-by-Step Guide - How to Sew Stitch & Flip Quilt Blocks
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READ How to Sew Stitch & Flip Quilt Blocks
Follow this super quick Step-by-Step Guide as to how to make Stitch and Flip quilt blocks. If you’d rather skip to the video, just scroll further down the page!
Step 1 – Prepare Fabrics (optional)
When making Stitch & Flip quilt blocks you will be sewing, pressing and cutting on the bias (i.e. diagonally across the straight grain) of the fabric. This means that there are several opportunities for the fabric to stretch and distort. In order to reduce this possibility, before cutting out, you can treat your fabrics with a spray of starch or starch alternative such as home-made sizing or something like Best Press or standard laundry starch spray.
Preparing your fabrics will give them a bit more body or crispness. It will also help to reduce fraying and it’s likely to help you with cutting accuracy.
Step 2 – Cut Squares
If you are not following a pattern, ensure that the fabrics being added are squares, rather than rectangles. Working with rectangles will result in a block with strange dimensions that can’t be joined with other blocks.
Step 3 – Mark Stitching Line
On the reverse of all of the smaller squares draw a line with a fabric marking pen that runs diagonally from point to point.
Step 4 – Position the Squares and Pin
Place the smaller squares Right Sides Together, with the larger square or rectangle.
Pin together if desired.
If using pins, keep them clear of the stitching area.
If the smaller squares being added are half the width (or more) than the larger square or rectangle, add corners one at a time to allow for pressing and trimming before adding any adjacent squares e.g. when making Square in a Square or Flying Geese blocks.
Step 5 – Sew
Sew the width of a line of stitching to the right hand side of the drawn line (nearest the outer edge of the block), removing any pins as you go.
Sewing ever so slightly to the side of the line will result in a more accurate block.
BONUS
Want to make some Half Square Triangles at the same time?
Scroll down to see how you can make use of the scraps!
Step 6 – Pressing and Trimming
There are two different options when it comes to pressing and trimming:
Option 1 – Trim then Press Trim away the excess, ¼” away from the stitching line. Flip the triangle over the line of stitching and press.
Option 2 – Press then Trim Flip the triangle over the line of stitches towards the outer edges of the block. Line up the raw edges of the triangle with the raw edges of the larger square/rectangle underneath. Press in place. Allow the fabric to cool. Peel back the triangle and then trim away the excess, ¼” away from the stitching line. Watch the video for a demo of this method.
This second method can sometimes help with accuracy. Why not try both methods to see which one works best for you?
trimming
pressing
BONUS – Make HSTs at the same time – no waste!
The excess fabric that is removed when using the Stitch & Flip technique can be used to make BONUS Half Square Triangles, which can be used in other patchwork projects.
There are two different options for making these HSTs. You can make them after trimming away the excess (after step 6) or you can follow the steps below to make them at the same time as the rest of the main block.
Making BONUS HSTs at the same time:
When marking the smaller squares in step 3, mark an additional line ½” away from the central line.
Place the squares with the shorter, second line nearer the outer edge of the block.
Both lines of stitching can be sewn at the same time.
Cut between the lines of stitching to reveal a ready made HST at the same time as the Stitch & Flip quilt block.
LEARN how to make Half Square Triangles using the 2 at a Time Method
If you’re new to Patchwork & Quilting then make sure you check out my guide on how to make Half Square Triangles.
There are lots of step-by-step illustrations and a demonstration video.
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