Shoofly Quilt Block Pattern

From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library

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Skill Level: Beginner

Grid: 3x3

The Shoofly quilt block is a terrific block for the beginner quilter because it contains only half square triangles and cut squares.

A cameleon quilt block because several are based on this very simple structure.

You may know this block by one of several other names:

Simplicity

Fence Row Quilt

Eight Cornered Box

Fifty Four Forty or Fight

Hole in the Barn Door

Click the underlined names above for more traditional versions of the block.

On this page you'll find the instructions to make this block in 5 different sizes, along with several variations on the design itself.

General Instructions

Sample Block Size: 4-1/2"

Several abbreviations are used in this tutorial:

SA - seam allowance
RST - right sides together
HST - half square triangle

All seam allowances (SA) are 1/4".

When you are instructed to press, first press the pieced unit flat to set the seam. Then open the patch, pressing from the front. Seam allowances are pressed to the dark fabric unless otherwise noted.

Step 1: Cut the Shoofly patches

Shoofly design

All it takes are two fabrics. Just be sure there's enough contract between the two.

			Cutting Chart for a Shoofly Quilt Block ~Traditional Piecing ~
Patch	Fabric	Qty	Finished Block Size
Patch	Fabric	Qty	3"	4½"	6"	7 1/2"	9"
1**	L	2	1⅞" x 1⅞"	2⅜" x 2⅜"	2⅞" x 2⅞"	3⅜" x 3⅜"	3⅞" x 3⅞"
2**	D	2	1⅞" x 1⅞"	2⅜" x 2⅜"	2⅞" x 2⅞"	3⅜" x 3⅜"	3⅞" x 3⅞"
3	L	4	1½" x 1½"	2" x 2"	2½" x 2½"	3 " x 3 "	3½" x 3½"
4	D	1	1½" x 1½"	2" x 2"	2½" x 2½"	3" x 3"	3½" x 3½"
Unfinished Block Size			3½"	5"	6½"	8"	9½"
Grid Size			1"	1½"	2"	2½"	3"
**I prefer to cut my patches extra large for HST, stitch, and then trim them to size. If you prefer to do the same, add a bit extra to the measurements for Patches #1 and #2 above. There is a chart further down in these instructions where you need it for trimming them to size.

Learn more about my favorite, new quilting tool, the Magic Pressing Mat. A valuable addition to your quilting tools—regardless of the piecing technique you use.

These are the cut patches.

Cut the patches for the Shoofly quilt block

Step 2: Assemble the units

Half Square Triangles

Make 4

Use the Quick Pieced technique to make these units. (Click here for more detailed instructions for this technique.)

Draw a diagonal line on the backs of the two light #1s with a pencil just dark enough to see.

With RST, layer a #1 and #2 together and stitch 1/4" away from both sides of the drawn line. Repeat for the second pair.

The arrow points to an anchor cloth.

Cut the patches apart on the drawn line to create 4 HSTs.

Press.

Find your finished block size in the chart below and the corresponding HST dimensions. Trim as needed.

HST Dimensions
Finished Block Size	Trim HST to…
3"	1½"
4½"	2"
6"	2½"
7 1/2"	3"
9"	3½"

Your half square triangles look like this.

Step 3: Assemble your Shoo Fly block

Lay out your patches in rows to create the Shoofly design.

Stitch the units in each row together.

Press flat to set the seam and then SAs toward the solid square. (See the arrows in the diagram below.)

Press the seam allowances away from the HST

Stitch the rows together. The SAs nest to help make matching them pretty easy. Do use pins if you need them.

Nest the seam allowances to match the seams

Your finished Shoofly quilt block looks like this...

...all ready for piecing into your next quilt project.

Common Variations on a Shoofly Quilt Block

The unifying element in each is a HST in each corner.

Snowball

Two colors form the snowball with a third fabric, a background, finishes out the corners.

Snowball Variation

This time with just two fabrics with dark corners and center.

Grandmother's Choice

This Shoofly quilt block is drawn on a 5x5 grid, sometimes called an uneven 9-patch. Still a two fabric block the corner units are twice as wide as the side center units.

Big O

This two color block changes up the construction just a bit. Four rectangles with connector corners are puzzle pieced around a center square using a piecing technique called 'partial seams'.

We used this piecing technique in the Double Star Quilt Block.

Click here to learn how to make 'Big O'.

Other blocks are called 'Shoofly', too...

...and quite a few others, in fact!

We've listed them here with the other block that carries the same name. Underlined names are links to instructions for that alternate version of the block.

Ohio Star or...

Eastern Star
Eight Point Design
Eight Point star
Lone Star
Star
Texas
Texas Star
Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too

Click here to learn to make an 'Ohio Star'.

Square in a Square

Churn Dash

Or...
Broken Plate, Double Monkey Wrench, Double T, Dragon's Head, Fisherman's Reel, Hens and Chickens, Hole in the Barn Door, Indian Hammer, Joan's Doll Quilt, Lincoln's Platform, Love Knot, Ludlow's Favorite, Old Mill Design, Picture Frame, Puss in the Corner, Quail's Nest, Sherman's March, Wrench

Path and Stiles

Or...
Far West
Stiles and Paths