Shoo-Fly quilt block

Shoo Fly

July 19, 1933-Concerning today's block, Nancy Cabot wrote "This pattern with the amusing name, "Shoo-Fly" is one of the earliest designs in colonial America. It would be interesting to know how it got it's name, but it's history is obscure. It's a simple geometrical pattern, well suited to use in modern quilts."

The Shoo Fly quilt block remains popular even today.  It's not hard to find examples of antique and modern quilts using this block design.

The Shoo Fly quilt block was sold in 1936 as a kit with the fabrics precut for $8.50 or you could order the finished top for $40.00. Look at image 12. There are examples of antique Shoo Fly quilts here, here, here, and here.






Here's a new quilt at Cora Quilts



and another at Orange Explains It All



It is definitely easy to make a Shoo Fly block even at the 6" size I've been making for this sewalong.  You just need to cut four 2 1/2" squares of background fabric, one 2 1/2" square of another fabric for the center of the block, and four half square triangle blocks made from both fabrics that finish at 2".  Don't forget the half square triangle blocks will be 2 1/2" before sewn into the block. The parts look like this-

Sew the blocks together in three rows first and then sew the rows together.

The Shoo-Fly block can be found in Electric Quilt's Blockbase  program as #1645.

Tomorrow-Rare Old Tulip