The April Block of the Month is the traditional Shoo Fly block. You can find a detailed tutorial linked here. The tutorial also shows a finished quilt top which can be used for color inspiration. Basically, brights with white. Make as many as you want. You get an entry for each block you make, and you might just win them all.
The Shoo Fly block is thought to be named after the Nicandra plant which is part of the Nightshade family. The juices of the plant were used as a natural fly deterrent, which is how the plant got its shoo-fly name. This popular quilt block can be traced back to the mid-1800s and there is also a pie with the same name.
Shoo Fly Pie
1 c. flour
2/3 c. brown sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. shortening
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. hot water
1 c. molasses
1 egg, beaten
1 9" unbaked pie shell
Combine flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Cut shortening into flour mixture. Mix until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup crumbs. Dissolve baking soda in hot (but not boiling) water. In a bowl, combine crumbs, molasses, egg, and baking soda water and beat well . Pour into unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until filling is set and crumbs are browned.
Happy stitching!
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