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BeginnerFour-Patch Family
3×3 Quilt Top Repeater
Click any block to rotate it 90° and explore custom layouts.
Shoofly
Simple 4-patch variation with HST corners framing a central square
Recolor Fabric Slots
Preset Palettes:
Block Anatomy & Specs
Grid Layout2x2
Standard Sizes6", 8", 10", 12"
Seams & Techniques:
Half-Square Triangles (HST)Straight Seams
Foundational Units Used:
History & Origins of the Shoofly Block
Named after the wild plant and popular 19th-century folk song, Shoofly is a beloved beginner block. It surrounds a solid central square with four half-square triangle corner units.
Cutting & Piecing Guide (12" Finished Block)
Precise unit cut sizes and step-by-step piecing instructions.
Choose a finished block size
The cut measurements below update to match.
Piece Cut List
12" Finished BlockCut 1 center square 4.5", 4 HSTs trimmed to 4.5", 4 background squares 4.5".
All measurements include a standard ¼" seam allowance. Finished block size: 12".
Step-by-Step Visual Assembly
1
Make 4 HST units combining corner fabric and background fabric.
2
Arrange 9 units into a 3x3 grid with center square in middle and HSTs in 4 corners.
3
Sew units into 3 rows.
4
Sew 3 rows together to complete block.