This week for the Riley Blake Block Challenge we’re making Shoo Fly quilt blocks. Each week we’ve been making simple, traditional quilt blocks. This one is another classic quilt block design, full of lots of possibilities in either a sampler quilt or standing on its own.
Here are my blocks for this week. As with the last 5 weeks I’m making blocks in 6″ x 6″ and 12″ x 12″ (finished) sizes.
Shoo Fly Quilt Block Tutorial
This week the Shoo Fly block tutorial is taught by Melissa Mortenson of the Polkadot Chair.
You can find the Shoo Fly Quilt Block tutorial HERE.
The Shoo Fly quilt block comes together quickly because it is made with Half-Square Triangles – which you can easily make two at a time. Here is my favorite tip for making Half Square Triangles (HST), including my favorite tool for squaring up HST blocks – the Quilt In a Day Triangle Square Ruler.
Squaring up sometimes feels tedious, but it makes a huge difference in accuracy and neat finish of your quilt block. Using the Quilt in a Day Triangle Square Ruler is such a game changer – I’ll literally cut your squaring-up time in half!
Here’s some other Shoo Fly inspiration for you:
This is a Shoo Fly modern variation I made for my book Fabulously Fast Quilts (which is only available in a ebook these days).
After making the traditional blocks this week, I’m itching to make another one. This block comes together so quickly. I think it would be fun make a scrappy, vintage-inspired version. There are so many great antique Shoo Fly quilts like these ones on Pinterest.
I love this super scrappy version made by Pat Sloan. She shares her block tutorial here.
This might blow your mind a little, but here is another variation of a Shoo Fly block quilt. Crazy right?! The entire look changes just because of fabric placement. You can find the block tutorial for this version at Sotak Handmade.
Here are my Riley Blake challenge blocks so far. I’m making my blocks out of my latest collection, Sugarhouse Park and coordinating Riley Blake woven ginghams.
You can find the previous blocks for the quilt along linked below If you’re sewing along with us make sure to use the hashtag #RBDBlockChallenge on Instagram. You can see a lot of other blocks here.
Week 1 – Churn Dash
Week 2 – Log Cabin
Week 3 – Friendship Star
Week 4 – Economy Block
Week 5 – Nine Patch
A few people have asked me about fabric requirements for this quilt along. Because this is an informal block challenge without a specific pattern, there’s not a list of specific fabric requirements. It’s a great project for using up stash or leftover scraps.
I will be putting my blocks together at the end (mid June) and share a tutorial for how I’m doing it. Once that happens, I’ll have a better idea of the fabric amounts for the finished quilt. 🙂
Marge Krempl
I’m really enjoying your emails. You are inspirational. Thank you for sharing!
Amy
Thank you, Marge!
sue
The Quilt in a Day triangle trimmer is one of the oldest rulers in my drawer. It’s on the cutting mat this very minute as I am working on a half square triangle quilt. Really love your orange Shoo Fly at the top of this post! Happy Mother’s Day!