Quilt block · Pinwheels · Intermediate
Flyfoot quilt block
Sixteen half-square triangle units, turned so the dark triangles make four arms spinning round the center. Also called Devil’s Puzzle and Fly Foot.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 3⅛″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 3⅛″cut once on the diagonal
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 16 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark A triangle to a Background A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 2″ (1½″ finished).
- Sew the units into 4 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 4 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 4 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 16 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark A triangle to a Background A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 2¾″ (2¼″ finished).
- Sew the units into 4 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 4 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 4 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 16 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark A triangle to a Background A triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units into 4 rows
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 4 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 4 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
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More like this: Pinwheel quilt blocks · Four-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Flyfoot the same block as Devil’s Puzzle?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Devil’s Puzzle and Fly Foot as other names for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 4 × 4 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, 14″, 15″, 16″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 4 sections (A, B, C and D), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s an intermediate block: 32 pieces in 1 shape and 9 points to match. Take it slowly and pin the points. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.