Hive 3 - November Tutorial: Bright Scrappy ShooFly Block for Wendi

Wow, it’s been another year already! I’ve moved from Arkansas to Alaska but I was able to keep up with my monthly blocks, whoo hoo!! I would like a repeat of the block I requested last year so I can make a bigger bed size quilt for my first winter in Alaska.

I love traditional quilt blocks in bright, modern fabrics! I have chosen the Shoo Fly quilt block for my month. There is a tutorial here for the 12" Finished (12 1/2” unfinished) Shoo Fly block: https://www.polkadotchair.com/shoo-fly-quilt-block-tutorial/

Picture of blocks I received last year:

I prefer bright colors, any type of print except for cartoon characters is acceptable (florals, stripes, dots, animals, solids, geometric, just whatever you want to use). Fussy cutting is at your discretion, not expected nor required. Red, pink, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple or any color in between. Scrappy background fabric is good: white, white-on-white, cream, white-on-cream, or coordinating low volume fabrics welcome. I am wanting a nice scrappy look! Here are some pictures for color inspiration:

 

You will need the following for one 12" finished quilt block, measurements given here are for the 2 at a time half square triangle method.

2 - 5"X5" blocks of brightly colored fabric for half square triangles

2 - 5"X5" blocks of background fabric for half square triangles

4 - 4.5"X4.5" blocks of background fabric

1 - 4.5"X4.5" block for block center (I fussy cut the block in this example but I don't expect you to do so unless you want to. You could also piece this block center from 4 - 2.5” squares if you’d like, the scrappier the better!).

Use your method of choice to make 4 half square triangles from the 5"X5" squares - I use the 2-at-a-time method shown in the referenced tutorial. I draw lines on the back of my background fabric using a quilters' quarter ruler and sew on both lines, then cut the blocks apart.

Press and trim the half square triangles down to 4.5"X4.5". No preference on pressing directions, I press open because it is more precise for me but no judgement here - do what works for you!

Arrange the finished blocks in the following order. Sew the blocks together and press as desired:

I’m excited to add to my blocks and make a bright, happy quilt to grace my bed during the long dark winter here in Alaska! Thank You all for the challenges, joys, excitement and learning opportunities that you’ve granted me this year. Have a great Holiday season everyone!