The next filler block is the Shoofly. There are several of this block, in two different sizes and colors (if you’re using the White & Bright layout). The Shoofly is a great way to practice both half square triangles and matching seams. It’s in a nine patch layout so you don’t have a single point of intersection with 8 or more layers of fabric like the Pinwheel.

You need to make two 6″ finished blocks and six 3″ finished blocks. Don’t be afraid of the small blocks! Small pieces can actually be easier to work with in some ways.

You’ll be making several half square triangle units, so follow the instructions from the Skill Builder Series posts for your favorite HST method.
Skill Builder Series: Part 1A – Half Square Triangles and Pinwheels
Skill Builder Series: Part 1B – Half square Triangles and Pinwheels

While you are welcome to use the traditional method (cutting squares in half diagonally, then assembling), the other methods will be easier and more efficient, especially if you are making a group of blocks in the same fabric.

Option 1:Papers

Skill Builder Series: Part 1A – Half Square Triangles & Pinwheels

Use Triangle Paper, Triangles on a Roll, Thangles or Triangulations computer software to create the following half square triangles:
For two 6″ blocks (green)
Make (8) HSTs that finish at 2″ (2 1/2″ before assembling the block)

For three 3″ blocks (green)
Make (12) HSTs that finish at 1″ (1 1/2″ before assembling the block)

For three 3″ blocks (orange)
Make (12) HSTs that finish at 1″ (1 1/2″ before assembling the block)

Option 2:Strips with Drawn Lines

Skill Builder Series: Part 1B – Half Square Triangles & Pinwheels
For two 6″ blocks (green)
Cut (1) background strip 3″ wide and at least 12″ long
Cut (1) block fabric strip 3″ wide and at least 12″ long
(Following Jeanne’s instructions, you will draw lines every 3″.)

For three 3″ blocks (green)
Cut (1) background strip 2″ wide and at least 12″ long
Cut (1) block fabric strip 2″ wide and at least 12″ long
(Following Jeanne’s instructions, you will draw lines every 2″.)

For three 3″ blocks (orange)
Cut (1) background strip 2″ wide and at least 12″ long
Cut (1) block fabric strip 2″ wide and at least 12″ long
(Following Jeanne’s instructions, you will draw lines every 2″.)

Option 3: Squares with Drawn Diagonal Lines

For two 6″ blocks (green)
Skill Builder Series: Part 1A – Half Square Triangles & Pinwheels
Cut (4) 3″ background squares
Cut (4) 3″ block fabric squares

For three 3″ blocks (green)
Cut (6) 2″ background squares
Cut (6) 2″ block fabric squares

For three 3″ blocks (orange)
Cut (6) 2″ background squares
Cut (6) 2″ block fabric squares

Option 4: Traditional

Skill Builder Series: Part 1B – Half Square Triangles & Pinwheels
Not recommended unless all of your HSTs will be made from different fabric. If you choose this method, you will start with squares the same as as option 3 above, but cut the 3″ squares diagonally before assembling into HSTs.

Assembly

Square up your large HSTs to 2 1/2″ and your small HSTs to 1 1/2″. (See this post for details on squaring up HSTs.) Once you have all of your half square triangles created, cut your squares.

For two 6″ blocks (green)
Cut (8) 2 1/2″ background squares
Cut (2) 2 1/2″ block fabric square

For three 3″ blocks (green)
These three blocks will be “reversed” – the background fabric will create the design and the block fabric will be the “background.”
Cut (12) 1 1/2″ block fabric squares
Cut (3) 1 1/2″ background square

For three 3″ blocks (orange)
Cut (12) 1 1/2″ background squares
Cut (3) 1 1/2″ block fabric square

Lay out your HSTs and squares to create two 6″ finished (6 1/2″ before sewn into the quilt) Shoofly blocks like the large one shown above. Make three 3″ finished blocks like the small green one shown above. Make three 3″ finished blocks like the small orange one shown above. As always, review this post on maintaining an accurate quarter inch seam. Also review this post for details on assembling a nine patch block using separate squares.

All done! Any questions?