Shoo Fly Variation For a 12 inch finished (in the quilt) Shoo Fly Variation block you need -         For the corner blocks, cut two 4 7/8 inch squares from a dark color and from your background fabric.         For the four patch blocks, cut a strip 20 inches by 2 1/2 inches from a light color and from the background.               (Or you may cut eight 2 1/2 inch squares from a light color and from the background fabric.)         For the center square cut one 4 1/2 inch square of the background fabric.               The four corners of this block are triangle squares. Place 4 7/8 inch square of background and your dark right sides together. Carefully draw a line down the center, corner to corner, diagonally across the block. (This will be a cutting line when you are finished.) If you have a true 1/4 inch foot on your machine, you can sew on either side of this drawn line. If not, you will have to draw a second line on either side, exactly 1/4 inch from the first line. This will be your sewing line.         After you have sewn on your sewing line, 1/4 inch on either side of your corner to corner to line, you will cut this square in half on your cutting line. You will now have two triangle squares, which should measure exactly 4 1/2 inches. Repeat with the remaining 4 7/8 inch square of background and dark. Your corners are now finished.         (You can find directions with diagrams for making triangle squares a.k.a. diagonal half squares and half square triangles by following this link. .) Next take your light and background strips 20 inches by 2 1/2 inches and place them right sides together. Sew a 1/4 inch seam. Press open toward the light fabric, and then cut into eight 2 1/2 inch units You can now make the four patch blocks, and finally assemble the complete block. Your block should measure 12 1/2 inches.       Want to make a different size?         Cutting your squares 2 7/8 inches for the triangle squares, 2 1/2 inches for the center square and 1 1/2 inches for the four patch squares will give you a finished block of 6 inches.         Cutting your squares 3 3/8 for triangles inches for the triangle squares, 3 inches for the center square and 1 3/4 inches for the four patch squares will give you a finished block of 7 1/2 inches.         Cutting your squares 3 7/8 for triangles inches for the triangle squares, 3 1/2 inches for the center square and 2 inches for the four patch squares will give you a finished block of 9 inches.         Cutting your squares 4 1/8 for triangles inches for the triangle squares, 3 7/8 inches for the center square and 2 1/8 inches for the four patch squares will give you a finished block of 10 inches.         Cutting your squares 4 7/8 for triangles inches for the triangle squares, 4 1/2 inches for the center square and 2 1/2 inches for the four patch squares will give you a finished block of 12 inches. Shoo Fly Variation © Delaware Quilts August 2001 The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the Delaware Quilts and may not be used or reproduced in any manner without consent. All Rights Reserved. Updated June 11, 2020 |Home| Quilts| Blocks| Retreat| Email|