Shoo fly Quilt Variations

Shoofly is a traditional quilt block with a lot of possibilities. It can look very traditional, but some quilts make this block almost unrecognizable. Get inspiration with these shoo fly quilt variations.

These ideas will get you started designing your own quilt with the friendship star block. For more inspiration, check out the Shoo Fly Inspiration Workbook.

Layout one – Just the block

Shoo fly blocks can be used all by themselves with no other blocks, borders or sashing.

Multi-coloured blocks give many different design possibilities.

Layout two – With alternate blocks

Adding plain alternate blocks makes an interesting quilt, and it is a quick and easy way to make your quilt larger.

Alternate blocks can be all the same colour, or they can be different.

Layout three – With Sashing

Sashing gives a bit of separation between the blocks.

Layout four – On point

Turning blocks on point always makes an interesting quilt.

Layout five – On point with alternates

Adding alternate blocks to the on-point design can make the rows stand out.

The colour layout in this quilt makes it hard to find the “shoo fly”. It looks modern, but it’s still a traditional block.

There are many more ways to use the shoo fly block, but this will get your ideas flowing.

Tutorial

See how to make a shoo fly quilt block.

Want colouring pages to play with colour and design your own churn dash quilts? Get the Shoo Fly Inspiration Workbook.