How to sew an easy QUILT BLOCK that looks difficult | Shoo Fly | Basic quilt block for beginners

[@Pam-wy7wn]

A good old, simple block! Nice job.

[@PattymacMakes]

Thanks Pam!! I want to have a playlist of blocks so I decided to start with the classics! I think going with bold color and a larger than life size updates an old favorite and makes this project more accessible to a new generation of quilters.

[@paintingwithgurkirat38]

So nice dear 💕💕💕💕

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you so much!!

[@marygeorge9688]

Love the block especially with the yellow and blue. Thank you for sharing.

[@PattymacMakes]

Thanks Mary! It's using the color method to create a block that pops. Starting with a block that uses two colors is great way to experiment with color complementaries or lights and darks or both in a single block.

[@lucy14981]

I love this simple block. One of my favorites! I especially love blue and yellow.

[@PattymacMakes]

Mine too!! I have so many people new to quilting here on the channel, I thought sharing classics might be fun for all of us.

[@stanjones2277]

Thanks Patty! I so miss your quilting tutorials! I'm trying this 9-patch! You made it look so easy!

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you so much dear Stan! I appreciate such lovely and kind words. More coming up for sure! Something like this would be a palette cleanser for a person of your fantastic quilting abilities!

[@stanjones2277]

@@PattymacMakes Awe! Thank You!

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Such a beautiful quilt block! Thanks for posting!

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you so much Brenda!! We seem to be on the same wave length with our block tutorials!

[@shanegeis2696]

Can’t wait to make this one haven’t made this block yet, always looked so intimidating, but you broke it down with easy instructions now I know I can do it. Thank you! You are beautiful, a great instructor love everything you do !!!

[@PattymacMakes]

Oh Shane!! Thank you!! Yes!! I know you can do it. I had wanted a blog post ready at the same time as the video so there would be a little more instruction and still pictures, but I just couldn't get it all together at once. I know you can make this one!! And I have a new one coming this week, and after that we'll put them together into a project! Good luck and if you have questions I'll do my best to help!

[@shanegeis2696]

@@PattymacMakes I made your braid “ patch” tutorial it turned out great! I’m going to put it on a cowboy panel & make it into a table runner. I love it so much and your explanation made it so easy. I did it in all soft neutral colors (not quite done) but it’s looking fabulous! Thank you 😊

[@rochestermanagementservice6082]

Beautiful, Patty, and simple to put together! Excellent tutorial. Hmm... would make a lovely pillow top. Can't wait to see your creation. TFS. From Cheryl in AZ.

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you so much Cheryl! It's a classic and I love the classics! It would make a beautiful pillow!

[@luannbriggs1917]

great tutorial! love this block and the colors you chose...looking forward to see what you make with it!

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you Luann! I need a couple of things to finish into what I have planned. Naturally I don't have what I need in the stash. LOL That's always the way, isn't it?

[@luannbriggs1917]

@@PattymacMakes of course!! 🤣

[@angelapa9513]

So perfect

[@PattymacMakes]

Thanks Angela! I think it's a fun block!

[@maz8546]

Thanks Patty! My first quilt was almost all HST, it would have been much easier if I had trimmed using a square ruler that way

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you for sharing your story Margaret! My personal method for making half square triangles would be considered a little wasteful in terms of fabric and time consuming. But I prefer to put that time in on the front end and have beautiful, sharp points. This might be helpful for you if needed pattymacmakes.com/perfect-points-in-quilting/

[@victoriahannah1633]

Oh! I can’t wait to see what you make with it. Love the color combination. Boy it sure has been wet & gloomy here in Virginia these past few days. Made some good days for staying in sewing or packing. Next time I see your video I might be down in Florida.

[@PattymacMakes]

Isn't that the truth Victoria!! I don't mind a little dreariness, but this is getting ridiculous. My plants are not going to do if it's like this all winter! Please check in with us while you're in the sunshine state!

[@mrsmac1974]

Come on down to Florida, Victoria Hannah. Right now the weather is terrific, although a tad warm, but humidity is bearable and the sun is shining!

[@victoriahannah1633]

@@mrsmac1974 We will soon be on the way. We go twice a year to visit my youngest son & his family. I’ve got 2 grandchildren a girl 3 and boy 1. I can’t wait to get my hands on them. We stay in a place called Amelia Island. It’s just above Jacksonville. We rent our own place as we take an extended vacation. We absolutely love the area. We would move there in a heartbeat but conditions just aren’t favorable for a move at this time.

[@mrsmac1974]

@@victoriahannah1633 Ah, you're way up north from me. I came here just a year ago to be near oldest son and family. I'm loving special time with my grandson, and my kids. Safe travels when you head this way.

[@mrsmac1974]

I always struggle with this block. I'm going to try your method of using a square ruler and see if that helps me get the points correct.

[@PattymacMakes]

I have a full video on making HST blocks so I will link that for you. My personal method is I cut the initial squares a full inch larger than required for the pattern. Then I make the HSTs, press and starch, and trim down individually with the square ruler in the exact size I need for the block pattern. It does create some extra waste doing it this way, but it does give much better points. I also press block seams open so I can see the points and I know where to sew to preserve the points when piece blocks or borders together. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oV6tk42qa55pqqs Here's a blog post I wrote on the same topic with a lot of pictures to help you with visual queues. pattymacmakes.com/perfect-points-in-quilting/. Try this method and make a few Shoo Fly Blocks, and see how you do. I also suggest making larger blocks like this one to get the knack of it. It's MUCH easier making over sized blocks than tiny 6" blocks. I do have a project pattern planned using this block and one that's coming next week. It will give you practice on this skill set and a project to pull the blocks together. Don't hesitate to ask questions! I will do my best to help!

[@mrsmac1974]

@@PattymacMakes thanks!

[@jankubillus7157]

Hi Patty, do you starch your fabric when making half square triangles? They intimidate me but I am up for the challenge! Thank you for your tutorial.

[@PattymacMakes]

Hi Jan!! YES!! The starch helps so much. I have a video on making HST blocks, and maybe I neglected to link to that. It might really help you to watch that, and then make a few of these blocks. I have another block coming next week, and you can pair them which is what I'm planning as a project video in a couple of weeks. I make my initial HST blocks a little over sized and then I trim them down with a specific square ruler. That's how I get them to come out and keep my points. It's a little extra fabric and a little extra time, but it works for me. Give that method a go and see how you do! I also have blog posts on all of this information....which I should do a better job in sharing with everyone. Anyway, please try it!! Don't be intimidated! Once you figure it out, so many wonderful doors will open for you quilting wise! Don't be afraid to mess up a few things. It's how we learn.

[@jankubillus7157]

Thank you for all the advice. I will definitely experiment with this process and check your blog, didn’t know you had one ☺️

[@PattymacMakes]

@@jankubillus7157 I don't promote myself enough. LOL I'm kind of a soft sell, so I guess I need to work on that a bit.

[@Tadi3a]

Lovely. How would I go about resizing it to a really big block like 45”. Supersized!

[@PattymacMakes]

Actually, I would say 45/3.... so you would want blocks that are about 15.5" each. Which is a little on the large side and squaring up could be a challenge. But it could be done. Take the finished size and divide by how many individual blocks go across and down...in this case 3. So 45 inches divided by 3 squares equals 15, and and half an inch for seam allowances. Are you going to try it??

[@Tadi3a]

@@PattymacMakes thanks for taking the time to reply. I have to reread your directions as math is not my strong suit. I really would like to . Maybe just make one 45” block, add some bordered and call it a day. Let me reread and get back to you to see if I am understanding it correctly. Thanks again.

[@craftoncue]

Patty, I love everything about your block. Your sewing is flawless. I’m excited to see what the project you are making with this block. I have a question please. What size and name of the Creative Grid rulers are you using? I’m thinking a 5 1/2” square, but don’t know for sure and I am not familiar with the one you used for the HST. Thanks so much. Linda

[@PattymacMakes]

Thank you Linda! I wouldn't say flawless, but I would say carefully constructed. LOL I use the 6.5" x 24.5" ruler to cut the initial strips and blocks and the 5.5" square ruler to do the final trim. I should link the rulers in my description for all of these tutorial videos. The Triangle one I used to mark my sewing lines is something I use, because it's easy to handle and has that 1/4" line to make drawing the sew lines easy. This is a great block to dip your toe in the HST pond, and I have another coming next week. And then a couple weeks later, I'll have a finished project using the blocks!