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Shoofly Quilt Block Pattern
From our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library
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Skill Level: Beginner
The Shoofly quilt block is a terrific block for the beginner quilter because it contains only half square triangles and cut squares—the most basic of units of patchwork.
A chameleon quilt block because several are based on this very simple structure.
On this page you'll find the instructions to make this block in 5 different sizes.
There are also examples of common variations on this block design.
To complete the page are illustrations of several designs with the same name—that look completely different.
Links to those instructions are shared if those tutorials are on the site.
Enjoy!
General Instructions
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.
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Click the images below to see the full collection. We share any commercial and/or free patterns that showcase them, too. (For inspiration, of course!)
Step 1: Cut the Shoofly patches
Shoofly designSample Size: 4½" finished / 5" unfinished
Grid: 3x3
Attributed to: Ladies Art Company
AKA: Fence Row (KC Star), Eight-Cornered Box (American Farmer), Fifty-Four Forty or Fight (Nancy Cabot), Simplicity (Old Chelsea Station)
Design Type: Even 9-patch
All it takes are two fabrics.
Just be sure there's enough contract between the two.
 | Cutting Chart for a~Traditional Piecing ~ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patch | Fabric | Qty | Finished Block Size | ||||
| 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. | |||||||
These are the cut patches.
Step 2: Assemble the units for your Shoofly
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.)
Stitch the rows together. The SAs nest to help make matching them pretty easy. Do use pins if you need them.
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 |
|
Snowball Variation This time with just two fabrics with dark corners and center. |
 |
 |
Grandmother's Choice |
|
Big O 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...
|
Click here to learn to make an 'Ohio Star'.
 |
Churn Dash |
|
Path and Stiles |
 |
Click here to learn to make 'Path and Stiles'.
 |
Duck and Ducklings Or... |
Learn to make 'Duck and Ducklings'.
|
Alamanizer |
 |
So many blocks. So little time!
The clock's ticking!
And there's more where this block came from.
Just visit our Free Quilt Block Patterns library for more!
For layout and design inspiration, visit Quilt Design 101.
What about a different quilt block?
For a list of all the 200+ quilt block patterns on this site, start here.
If you know the name of the block, shorten your search by using these links:
Click here if you're looking for blocks with at least some paper piecing.
Click here if you're looking for the basic building blocks of quilting, i.e., Flying Geese, half square triangles, quarter square triangles, etc., along with several techniques to make each.
And finally, use these links to find blocks in these finished sizes:
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