Handprint Teacher Appreciation Quilt: Assembly

This is part 2 in the series on my Handprint Teacher Appreciation Quilt.

Here is the first post which includes the layout and cut list

The great thing about this quilt is that it is a wonderful starter quilt. Although the snowball blocks look nearly round, the truth is that you only have to cut out squares (you don't even cut out triangles!) and all of the sewing is straight lines. If you can sew a straight seam, and cut a straight line, you can make this quilt!

Once you have all the squares cut out, and the students have drawn their handprints in the center of the white blocks, lay them out to make sure you get an appealing color arrangement.

I always lay my blocks out on a carpet so that they don't slide or blow across the floor.

Make sure you are following the pattern closely so your snowball blocks have the correct colors in each of the four corners and that the handprint is facing the correct direction. Place a 3 inch square in each corner of the 9 inch white block (right sides together) and sew from corner to corner. The seam will divides the small square into two equal triangles:

In order to keep the lines perfectly straight, you can mark the squares with a ruler and chalk pencil. I personally don't have the patience for that, so instead I make a mark on my sewing machine which lines up with the needle. When I sew from one corner to the other, I just have to make sure I have one corner under the needle and one on the mark and that ensures my block is properly aligned:

Once you have all the squares sewn on, cut right next to the sewn line (towards the outside of the block) leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance:

Set the seam** and press the corners open so you are left with a square block:

**Setting the seam means pressing along the sewn line before opening up the seam:

Only after you have pressed the seam while the fabric is still rights side together, do you open it up and press it open. This helps keep the seams straight and eliminates distortion.