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Arkansas Snowflake

Diagram of the Arkansas Snowflake quilt block layout
Design with this block

Techniques used (complete these first)

Two-at-a-Time Hourglass

Hourglass Unit

Make two matching hourglass (QST) units at once from paired HSTs.

  1. Cut one square from each fabric using your hourglass starting size and make two matching HST units first.
  2. Place the two HST units right sides together with opposite colors facing so seams nest at center.
  3. Mark one diagonal line corner-to-corner that crosses the existing seam intersection.
  4. Sew 1/4 inch away from both sides of the marked line.
  5. Cut on the marked line to create two hourglass units, then press and trim to unfinished size.

Pro tip: Press the first HST pair in opposite directions before pairing them so the center seam locks and the hourglass point stays crisp.

Triangle in a Square

Triangle-in-a-Square Unit

Build a centered Triangle in a Square unit with the stitch-and-flip method, then trim to the exact unfinished size.

  1. Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each side-fabric square.
  2. Align one side square with one top corner of the center square.
  3. Stitch-and-flip: sew on the marked line, trim 1/4 inch away from the seam, then press open.
  4. Repeat on the opposite top corner to complete the Triangle in a Square unit.
  5. Trim and square the unit to the unfinished size your pattern calls for.

Pro tip: For TIAS stitch-and-flip math, cut (1) one center square at unfinished block size (finished + ½") and (2) two side squares at half of that unfinished size plus ½".

Oversize and Trim (The Float)

Triangle-in-a-Square Unit

Intentionally cutting components slightly larger than needed to allow for a perfect trim-down after sewing.

  1. Cut pieces using the 'oversized' formula (usually adding an extra 1/2 inch).
  2. Assemble the unit following standard seam allowances.
  3. Place a square ruler over the unit, aligning the center or diagonal points with the ruler markings.
  4. Trim all four sides to reach the final unfinished block size.

Pro tip: When trimming 'Triangle in a Square', ensure the top point is exactly 1/4 inch from the edge so it isn't lost in the next seam.

Subunits first

Using the techniques listed above, make the following sub units: 4 Triangle-in-a-Square Units, 1 Hourglass Unit, 4 Plain Square Units.

Block Assembly

Assembly instructions are currently in the works, check back soon for updates!

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