Shoo Fly
Size:  15"

February 2005 Quilt Block of the Month Free from BlockCentral.com

Cutting Instructions:

Sewing Instructions:

Step 1:  Using a ruler and a pencil, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all Fabric 4 (cream) 3-7/8" squares, and eight Fabric 1 (red) 3-1/2" squares.

Step 2:  With right sides together, layer a Fabric 4 (cream) 3-7/8" square on a Fabric 1 (red) 3-7/8" square and sew a 1/4" seam on EACH side of the diagonal line that you drew in Step 1.  Cut apart on the diagonal lines. Press seams to darker fabric and trim points.  Repeat once more for a total of FOUR red/cream half-square triangles.  

Step 3:  Place a Fabric 1 (red) 3-1/2" square on the right end of a Fabric 4 (cream) 3-1/2" x 9-1/2" rectangle (right sides together) as shown below.  Stitch a seam on the diagonal line that you drew Step 1.  Trim the fabric above the sewn line to 1/4".  Repeat on the left end and press seams toward the red fabric.

Step 4:  Using your ruler and pencil, draw a diagonal line on the back of the two Fabric 2 (pink) 3-7/8" squares, as shown below:

Step 5:  Place a Fabric 2 (pink) 3-7/8" square on a Fabric 1 (red) 3-7/8" square, right sides together.  Sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the diagonal line that you drew in Step 4.  Cut apart on the line. Press seams to darker fabric and trim points.  Repeat with the second pair of Fabric 2 (pink) and Fabric 1 (red) squares for a total of four Fabric 2/Fabric 1 half-square triangles.

Step 6:  Arrange four 3-1/2" Fabric 1 (red) squares, four Fabric 2/Fabric 1 half-square triangles, and one 3-1/2" Fabric 2 (pink) square as shown below.  Sew the squares and half-square triangles into rows and press seams away from the half-square triangles on the top and bottom row, and toward the center square (pink) in the center row.  Sew the rows together to form the center of the block.  Press seams toward the center row.

Step 7:  Sew a Fabric 1/Fabric 4 half-square triangle (Step 2) to each side of a Fabric 1/Fabric 4 rectangle, as shown below.  Repeat for a total of two.

Step 8:  Sew a Fabric 1/Fabric 4 rectangle to each side of the block center and press seams toward the rectangles.

Step 9:  Sew the rows that you made in Step 7 to the top and bottom to finish the block.  Press seams toward the outside of the block.

Your block should measure 15-1/2" at this point.  It will measure 15" when it is sewn into the quilt.