QAF Block of the Month

April 2005

Shoofly

9 1/2 " unfinished (9" finished)

Here's a favorite block, the Shoofly, for April. We've sparked it up in bright, jewel-toned batiks with plain black cotton for background.

Fabrics: You will need only two fabrics for each block. You may make up to 3 blocks the same for this BOM lottery. The background is to be black and the other fabric must be batik, preferably nice and bright. The more solid, or marbley looking batiks will look better than prints for these crisp black and bright blocks.

For each block:

From your black background fabric, cut:

(2) 4" squares

(4) 3 1/2" squares

From your batik fabric, cut:

(2) 4" squares

(1) 3 1/2' square

To Assemble Block:

Place the 2 background squares RST with the other 4" fabric squares. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the lighter of the two fabrics. Sew 1/4" on each side of the drawn line, and cut apart on the drawn line. Press to the darker of the two fabrics. Square up these HST to 3 1/2" exactly.

Lay out these HST with the 3 1/2" squares as in the picture above. Sew the top row of squares, press seams to one side. Repeat with the other two rows, alternating the direction of the pressing. Sew the rows together, nestling those seams to make perfect intersections. Press your block and check your measurements. Block should measure 9 1/2" square to be entered in BOM.

See how quick and easy the block is? This quilt will be a beauty!

© 2005 Mary Evans