Make a Quick and Easy Snail’s Trail Block!

Who here loves the look of a quilt block with curves? I know I do! I even enjoy sewing curved pieces, but there is still something magical about a block that looks curved but is constructed entirely with straight seams.

The traditional block, Snail’s Trail, embraces the curved aesthetic using straight-line construction, but it is still rather fussy to make. That is why I couldn’t wait to try using the Square on Square Trim Tool to see if this block could be easy—and dare I say fun—to make.

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Why does a block that looks so easy take so much finesse?

The Snail’s Trail Block is based on the traditional Square-on-Square Block, sometimes called an Economy Block. The basic construction of this block looks simple, but because there is always an on-point square in the design, you end up with at least one set of unusual measurements to deal with.

For Square-on-Square Blocks, I frequently choose to foundation paper piece to get accurate sizing and exact points, but the Snail’s Trail Block includes a four-patch in the center, making it a poor contender for the foundation paper piecing solution.

I enjoy a quilting challenge but also like to keep things as simple as possible when constructing a traditional quilt block. This brings us to the Square on Square Trim Tool I use to make today’s Snail’s Trail Block.

Please note that you can use a standard ruler to trim a Snail’s Trail Block as you sew by lining up the quarter-inch lines with the points of the block after each round of sewing. The process is very similar to what I’m showing you below, but it will take longer to line up while ensuring the edges of your ruler run parallel to the edges of the block.

When you look at the Snail’s Trail Block as a line drawing, it seems much more like a Square-in-a-Square design than a block embracing curves.

However, when you use two colors to fill in the design, shifting the values as you move around the block, you achieve the appearance of a twist. This twist can go in any direction within the block as long as you are consistent with the placement within the design.

Constructing the Snail’s Trail Block

The curve in this block is simple, but it is essential to lay out each block before starting stitching and after each round of the construction process. The pieces for this block are cut as squares, and all but the center Four-Patch are cut in half on the diagonal to get the triangles used throughout the block.

The first step for the Snail’s Trail block is to create a Four-Patch for the center. The instructions with the Trim Tool have you cut the squares slightly larger and then trim away the excess using the marked square in the corner of the ruler. This ensures an accurate center square around which to build the rest of the block.

Start the first round by stitching two triangles of the same color to opposite sides of the block. The triangles are oversized to allow for trimming. Do your best to center the triangles on the block with a similar amount of overhang on each end of the seam, but don’t stress too much since the excess will get trimmed off before we start round two.

Press the seam allowances out towards the triangles.

Stitch the two triangles of the second color to the remaining sides of the Four-Patch center. Notice how the corners of the previous triangle hang over the edge as I sew. This excess all gets trimmed away in a moment! Press the seam allowances out towards the triangles.

Here is the first sewing round with the rest of the block layout. There is a generous amount for us to trim off before sewing the next round of triangles.

Trimming is super easy with the Square-on-Square Trim Tool. All you need to do is position the most recent on-point square on the printed line and trim two sides of the block along the edges of the ruler. Then, rotate the block, line up the on-point square again, and trim the remaining two sides.

Before adding the next round of triangles, always position the completed portion of the block back into the layout. Did you notice how I had the central portion of the block in the previous block photo rotated incorrectly? It is easy to do, and I was lucky to catch my mistake before I started sewing the next round!

Stitch the second round of triangles by stitching the same-colored triangles on two opposite sides of the block, pressing the seam allowances toward the triangles. Then, sew the second color triangles to the remaining sides, pressing those seam allowances out.

When you trim the second round, you will use the next on-point square when you align the block to trim.

Use the same process to stitch and trim the third round of triangles.

Stitch and press the final round of triangles, and align the largest on-point square to trim the final block.

Using the Snail’s Trail Block in a Quilt

One of the most fun aspects of using a traditional block is figuring out how to incorporate it into a larger design. Below are just a few layout options.

First, the same value layout of the block is repeated at the same angle throughout the quilt.

Next, the layout of every other block is mirrored, and the design is repeated in each row.

Finally, this design mirrors the block layout side-by-side and up and down.

There are so many more possibilities. How would you use a Snail’s Trail Block?

Missouri Star Quilt Company provided the fabric and Trim Tool used in this block, and the B770 machine is loan-to-own through the BERNINA Ambassador program.