Block 9 is: Shoofly

The Shoofly block is made up of Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and squares and is from the 9-patch family of blocks. Traditionally only two colours are used in this block. I love the simplicity of this block and it comes together easily. Like so many quilt blocks, this also dates back to the 1860’s.

Click HERE for the pdf block pattern.

UNFINISHED SIZE: 12.5” x 12.5” 

STEP 1:

Make the Half Square Triangles (HST) in the same way as you did for Block 6: Pinwheel, but these are slightly smaller.

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of the two Green 5″ x 5” squares. Mark another line 0.25” either side of the centre line (Yellow dash). I used a 4b or 6b pencil to mark the lines.

STEP 2:

Place one Green 5” x 5” square and one Black 5” x 5” square, Right Sides (RS) facing each other. Sew a straight line 0.25″ on either side of the centre line. Cut along the centre line.

PRESS toward the darker fabric. Trim and square-up the HST to 4.5” x 4.5”. 

Repeat with the other Green and Black 5” x 5” squares to make a total of four HSTs

STEP 3:

Lay out the block so you can refer back to it as you sew it together.

The four HST units should all measure 4.5” x 4.5”, the same size as the remaining pieces.

STEP 4:

Top row.

Place one Green/Black HST block, one Black 4.5 x 4.5” square RS facing each other. Align and PIN, sew a seam 0.25” away from the Right-hand edge. PRESS open.

STEP 5:

Now sew another HST as shown below with RS facing the Black square. Align and PIN at the Right edge of the Black square. Sew a seam 0.25” away from the edge. PRESS open.

STEP 6:

Bottom row.

Repeat STEPS 5 & 6, to make two of these units, in the same way.

Flip this one 180⁰ for the bottom row.

STEP 7:

Middle row.

Place one Black 4.5” x 4.5” square and one Green 4.5” x4.5” square RS facing each other. Align and PIN at the Right-hand side. Sew a seam 0.25” from the edge. PRESS Open.

STEP 8:

Align and PIN one Black 4.5” x 4.5” square RS facing Right-hand side of the Black/Green unit. Sew a seam 0.25” from the edge. PRESS Open.

STEP 9:

Attach the bottom row to the middle row first.

Align and PIN the seams where they meet for accuracy (pink and blue dots). Stitch the seam 0.25” away from the edge.

PRESS open.

STEP 10:

Flip the top/middle row as shown. Align and PIN the seams where the seams meet (pink and blue dots). Sew a seam 0.25” from the edge. PRESS open.

Voila, you’ve made your 9th block!

So, two-thirds of the way through, ready for the next one? Block 10: Poppy

Coming soon: Block 11: Churn Dash, Block 12: Sickle

Carol Lightburn

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