Shoo Fly Block – November 2020

We are continuing to do more blocks from the  “One Hundred and one Patchwork Patterns”  book by Ruby Short McKim.  The book was published in 1931, and my husband’s maternal Grandmother learned to quilt from this book.  These blocks are done in her honor.  

This is the 28th block for 2020, the Shoo Fly block.

“AS SHOO FLY is one of the simplest of old-fashioned patchworks, both to cut and to piece, it would be good choice for one on which a little girl could learn sewing. Bits of her frocks and aprons with perhaps those of her youthful chums, too, would make the blocks doubly interesting.”  (McKim)

The original block was 9″ x 9″ unfinished, our block will continue to be 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″.

There are two options, one that is a single Shoo Fly, or you can make 4 smaller Shoo Fly’s that are 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ and will go together to make a 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ unfinished block.

Fabric Requirements

• Single Shoo Fly
  • Background – 12″ x 18″
  • Color – 7 1/2″ x 12″

• Four Shoo Fly’s
  • Background – 11″ x 15″
  • Color – 5″ x 10″ (for each of 4 different colors)

Fabric Cutting

• Single Shoo Fly

• Four Shoo Fly’s – 4 different colors

Assembly

Step 1 – HST – Single Shoo Fly

Using both Piece 1 ( 7 1/8″ x 7 1/8″)
Place front sides together
Stitch 1/4″ along all four sides of square (red line is stitching)

Cut Diagonally from Corner to corner both directions

Square up using your preferred method to 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″.  You will have 4 HST.

Step 2 – layout

Layout the HST and the 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ squares.

Sew the nine-patch together, press seams.

You have Completed the November BOM, Shoo Fly.

Alternative – Step 1 – Four Shoo Fly’s

Using one background Piece 1 and one color Piece 1

Place front sides together

Stitch 1/4″ along all four sides of square (red line is stitching)

 Cut Diagonally from Corner to corner both directions

Square up using your preferred method to 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″.  You will have 4 HST.

Repeat this Step for the other three colors, you will have a total of 16 HSTs.

Step 2 – Layout

Assemble four separate Shoo Fly’s, the same way you do the single Shoo Fly.  Square each to 6 ½” x 6 ½”.

• Best Practice – making sure to press seams so they will nest with the Shoo Fly’s on each side of the block.

Sew the four Shoo Fly’s in the color layout you would like, making sure to look at the way the seams were pressed, to help with nesting.

Nest the four blocks together to make the four-patch of Shoo Fly. 

Press the seams.

You have completed the Shoo Fly, the November BOM.

I look forward to seeing all your wonderful blocks!  Make sure to post on the Facebook group!  Remember to add the hashtag #BomShooFly

Thank you for joining us for this November 2020 block of the month!  

Click Here for a downloadable PDF of the instructions.For the previous blocks, you can check under “Units” in the Facebook group.