The Shoo Fly Quilt block is a nine-patch format made with square and half square triangle units. It is generally a two-fabric block, with the half square triangles in the corner placements, and a center solid square. This is a perfect quilt block for beginners, as it uses only two basic building blocks, and is quick and easy.

One thing quilt historians do agree on is this quilt block was originated in the 1800’s. Why it was named the Shoo Fly quilt block, well, they don’t agree. Some say it is named after a wild plant, Clover Bloom, used as a natural fly repellent. Others say the half square triangles reflected holes in screen doors that allowed flies to enter homes. Pick which ever story you prefer, and have fun making these easy quilt blocks!

You can make this quilt block scrappy, using up your scraps and stash, or pick two special fabrics for the design for an overall two-fabric quilt. If you go scrappy, pick lights and darks and have some fun mixing up designs and prints! Use a sashing to piece the blocks together, or form a design sewing the blocks together directly. Whatever you decide, the quilt will end up full of movement with the diagonal lines formed from the half square triangles.

This is the layout for the Shoo Fly quilt block:

Here is a cutting chart for popular block sizes:

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Here is a step-by-step tutorial for making the Shoo Fly quilt block with photos.

One (1) quilt block

How to Make the Shoo Fly Quilt Block

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

The Shoo Fly block is a nine patch format made with square and half square triangle units. It is a popular quilt pattern for both traditional and modern quilts.

Using two fabrics, the Shoo Fly quilt block can be used alone or combined with other quilt blocks for a sampler quilt. This traditional quilt block is perfect for beginners learning nine-patch piecing and half-square triangles.

Materials

1/4 yard of two (2) fabrics, or two (2) fat quarters
Thread

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Ironing board
Cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Quilter's ruler
Fabric marking pen or pencil; I used a Frixion pen

Instructions

Start by cutting your fabrics according to the chart above. I made a 9" finished block, so have cut one (1) center block at 3-1/2" in the navy blue, four (4) center side blocks at 3-1/2" in gold, and then two (2) each of the navy and gold at 3-7/8" to make the half square triangles.
Start by making the corner half square triangle units. I used the two-at-a-time method for making this unit. There are various methods for making half square triangles - check out our article that covers a variety of methods, depending on how many you will need.
Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lightest fabric. This will be your stitching guide line.
Layer this square on top of your second fabric for the half square triangles right sides together and sew 1/4" from the marked line. Use your 1/4" foot on your sewing machine, if you have one. For a Bernina, that is foot #37 or #57.
Turn and stitch 1/4" on the other side of the marked line.
Cut on the marked line to make the two (2) half square triangles, making the diagonal seam.
Press seams to your preference. Read all about pressing seams for quilting in our article that covers pressing to the side or open. Lay the units out in a nine-patch format for the Shoo Fly quilt block.
Sew the units together with 1/4 inch seam allowances to form three rows.
Sew the horizontal rows together to make the finished ShooFly quilt block.

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Tips and ideas for making the shoo fly quilt block

When selecting fabric for your quilt block, make sure they have strong value and or pattern contrasts. I used a golden color for the background fabric and dark navy for the pattern. Other ideas include a small print that looks like a solid fabric from a distance with a larger pattern.
Make this simple quilt block using a fat quarter bundle for a scrappy look!
Combine this easy block with other classic quilt blocks for a sampler quilt. Make sure they are all the same finished size to make it easier to put the quilt together.
Make a really large ‘shoo fly’ for a whole quilt.
Pull out your scrap bin and cut squares for the half-square triangles and the square components. Then have fun making a scrappy quilt. Sort fabrics that go with your home decor and make a quick and easy table runner
Have fun!

Learn the basics of the nine patch quilt and browse through more nine patch quilt blocks on Create Whimsy. Check out all of our free quilt patterns and learn some tips and tricks for your quilt projects in our quilt tutorials.