Shoofly Variation This is another nine patch block . This block also has diagonal half squares in it. Where this is different than a regular Shoofly are the added four patches. Check your measurements very carefully. Your block should measure 12 1/2 inches when it is finished. Accuracy from beginning to end will assure that your blocks come out perfectly. Measure carefully, sew carefully, and you will have a perfect block. To make it a colorful quilt using this block, make each block a different color. Examples of colors – dark red and pink, navy blue and sky blue, forest green and mint green, deep orange and pale yellow, deep purple and light lavender. For the Shoofly Variation block you will need – For the corner blocks, cut two 4 7/8 inch squares from your dark color AND from your background fabric. For the four patch blocks, cut a strip 20 inches by 2 1/2 inches from your light color AND from the background. (Or you may cut eight 2 1/2 inch squares from your 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 diagonal half squares. (You can find directions with diagrams for making diagonal half squares by following this link. .) 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.) Now 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 diagonal half-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. 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. It should measure 12 1/2 inches when finished. This pattern can be used for personal use only and can not be used commercially without the owner's permission. No copies may be made without the owner's permission. This includes the patterns as well as any graphics and/or instructions that are associated with a pattern. Shoo Fly Variation © Delaware Quilts August 2001 |Home| Family| Quilts| Blocks| Retreat| Email|