- Background (muslin)
- Light (faded chambray)
- Dark (indigo)
Block No. 10 · Nine-patch
Shoofly Quilt Block
Also known as Shoo Fly, Fifty-Four Forty or Fight (related), Hens and Chickens
Part of: Nine Patch Quilt BlocksHalf Square Triangle Quilt BlocksEasy Quilt BlocksQuilt Blocks For Beginners
The Shoofly quilt block pattern, also written Shoo Fly, is a traditional nine-patch design with triangles at its corners. A contrasting center square and plain side squares give it a different rhythm from the related Churn Dash.
- Level
- Beginner
- Grid
- 3 × 3
- Pieces
- 13
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
3 × 3 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Half-square triangle | 2 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 4 |
| Light | Square | 4 | 4 1/2" square | Use as cut | 4 |
| Dark | Square | 1 | 4 1/2" square | Use as cut | 1 |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 2 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 4 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Cut 2 dark and 2 background half-square triangle parents. Cut each once on the diagonal and sew dark to background. Make 4 units and trim to 4 1/2".
Step 2: Cut 4 light squares and 1 dark center square at 4 1/2".
Step 3: Lay out three rows with the background triangle of each corner unit in the outer corner of the block.
Step 4: Sew rows, pressing toward the plain squares, then join rows. The block should measure 12 1/2".