Create a winter wonderland with our snowflake quilt block pattern
Looking to make a snowflake quilt to cosy up with? We've got the perfect frosty project for you! Lynne Goldsworthy designed this intricate snowflake quilt block pattern featuring an in-the-round arrows design.
You're sure to get eye-catching effects from the smallest of fabric scraps in your stash. This impressive design would make lovely festive cushions, table décor for the holiday season or whip up a batch for a flurry of snowflakes to create an heirloom Christmas quilt.
- The best Christmas quilt patterns to make this holiday season!
- Complete guide to quilt wadding and batting
- Free Christmas appliqué templates
We can't think of a better excuse to have fun with foundation paper piecing. If you've never tried FPP before, you might find it helpful to have a practice first! Check out our Beginner's Guide to foundation paper piecing.
This snowflake quilt block pattern was first known as the Millie block and was part of Lynne’s Vintage Sweethearts Block of the Month series for Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine. Check out more of Lynne's beautiful work on her website lilysquilts.blogspot.co.uk.
How to sew a snowflake quilt block
Finished size:
12½in square (12in once pieced into project)
Notes:
- This tutorial will show you how to sew 1 x snowflake quilt block pattern. If you want to make a whole snowflakes quilt, simply sew a batch of these blocks and try alternating with square blocks of solid colour to create a quilt top
- Seam allowances are ¼in throughout unless otherwise noted.
- Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed.
- Templates include seam allowances, where necessary.
- RST = right sides together.
- Wash and press all of your fabrics well before cutting.
- Shorten your stitch length to 1.5 for foundation paper piecing.
- HST = half square triangle.
- If you're new to making quilts, you may need to practise a bit before you try this project, but never fear! We've got a complete guide to quilting for beginners to show you the ropes.
Free Snowflake quilt block pattern
You will need
- Fabric: 1 fat quarter of print fabric
- Fabric: ½ yard white fabric
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Download our Free snowflake Quilt Block Pattern (PDF) to get started
Fabrics used
- We’ve used Wyndham Fabrics' Mimosa fabric (Leaves and Berries in Charcoal), but if you're looking for festive fabric to sew your block from, check out our guide to the best Christmas fabrics.
- How about these Poinsettia Fat Quarters from Visage Textiles (from John Lewis)
- We also think this snowflake would look beautiful pieced in this snow Navy Blue Metallic Gold Christmas fabric (available on Etsy)
Snowflake quilts: How to make the quilt block (step by step)
Cut the print fabric as follows:
- Eight (8) 3in squares (for section 2 on the templates).
- Sixteen (16) 3½in squares. Subcut in half on the diagonal to yield two half square triangles per square (for sections 5, 8, 11 and 14 on the templates).
Cut the white fabric as follows:
- Eight (8) 2in squares (for section 1 on the templates).
- Sixteen (16) 1¼in x 2in strips (for sections 3 and 4 on the templates).
- Sixteen (16) 1¼in x 2½in strips (for sections 6 and 7 on the templates).
- Sixteen (16) 1¼in x 3in strips (for sections 9 and 10 on the templates).
- Sixteen (16) 1¼in x 3 ½in strips (for sections 12 and 13 on the templates).
- Eight (8) 2½in x 5in strips (for section 15 on the templates).
- Eight (8) 4in x 5in rectangles (for section 16 on the templates).
Piecing the units of the snowflake quilt block
Step 1
The snowflake block is made up of four pairs of units. Each is foundation paper pieced, trimmed to size, the papers removed and the block is then assembled as shown in the layout diagram below.
Step 2
Foundation paper piece the eight templates using the fabric strips, rectangles and HSTs for the various sections on the templates as indicated in the cutting list. If you’re not sure how to do do this, head to our guide to foundation paper piecing.
For the purposes of the main block, ignore the red line and the red numbering of 2a on the templates. These are only used for the piecing of Lynne’s remix quilt block (not featured in this tutorial).
Step 3
First pin one white 2in square to the back of one of the templates making sure it covers the whole of section 1 plus at least ¼in on each side (Fig 1). The wrong side of the fabric should be facing the back of the template.
Step 4
Pin a print fabric 3in square RST with the white square pinning along the seam line between sections 1 and 2 so that, once the seam is sewn and the print fabric is folded over, it will cover section 2 by at least ¼in on each side (Fig 2).
Step 5
Flip the paper template over so the printed side is up and sew along the line between sections 1 and 2 extending the seam approximately ¼in beyond each (Fig 3).
Step 6
Press the print fabric over so it covers section 2 and extends at least ¼in beyond each side (Fig 4).
Step 7
Trim section 2 to ¼in beyond each seam line between section 2 and sections 3 and 4 (Fig 5).
Step 8
Sew 1¼in x 2in strips to cover sections 3 and 4 in the same way. Once sewn and pressed, trim to ¼in beyond the seam line between sections 3 and 4 and section 5 (Fig 6).
Step 9
Continue piecing the templates in the same way until all sections on all eight templates are pieced.
Step 10
Trim the pieced units to size along the dashed lines and remove papers.
Assembling the block
Step 11
Sew the units together in pairs along the diagonals (Fig 7).
Step 12
Sew the pairs of units together to make half of the block (Fig 8).
Step 13
Sew the two halves of the block together (Fig 9). Press the block and check that it is 12½in square.
Like this snowflake quilt idea? Try more snowflake quilts
Lynne’s ‘Remix’ twist on this design (pictured below)
This was featured in issue 22 of Love Patchwork & Quilting (available through their digital edition for Newsstand and Google Play) and is available in Lynne’s The Ultimate Quilt Block Collection via Zinio.
Sew a flurry of snowflake quilt blocks
We also like this collection of 7 snowflake quilt block PDF patterns – also made using foundation paper piecing, from Canuck Quilter Designs on Etsy.
Feel festive with the snowflake quilt block
This intricate snowflake quilt block pattern by Lynne Goldsworthy offers a versatile and festive design. Whether using fabric scraps for cushions, table décor, or creating a stunning heirloom Christmas quilt, this project is perfect for adding a cosy, frosty touch to your holiday season.
Create Christmas quilts with these nostalgic designs
Add festive charm to your quilts and cushions with Susi Bellingham's Christmas quilt block patterns! Use your fabric scraps to create vintage floral and stripy stocking blocks – perfect mini-projects for the holiday season.
