Flying Geese Tutorial

I have had quite a few requests for tutorials since I posted the last one about curvy piecing. I will get to some of the others I promise - especially the colour one, for which I am planning something special! In the mean time though, I have had a few people ask about my method for making Flying Geese blocks, which are featured in my Wonderland quilt in this months Women's Weekly, (UPDATE - believe it or not, I've got two more, extra fabric is coming out of the woodwork from everywhere!)

and also in Jungle Boogie in Material Obsession book 2.

 

Jungle Boogie from Material Obsession: Shared Inspiration, photography by John Doughty

So here goes! This is a fabulous method of making Flying Geese which is quick, accurate and eliminates dealing with too much bias. 

Step 1

Cut a large square 6 1/2" and four small squares 3 1/2". These ratios stay the same depending on what size you want your Flying Geese. This size squares produces Geese 3 1/8 x 5 3/4. 

Step 2

Using a sharp pencil and a patchwork ruler, rule a line from point to point in one direction on each square. Then rule a line 1/4 to either side of that line.

Step 3

Place a small square at each diagonal corner of the large square, right sides together. The small squares will overlap in the centre by 1/4". 

Step 4

Sew up both of the 1/4" lines that you ruled, but NOT up the centre line.

Step 5

Cut along the centre line, giving you two triangles.

Step 6

Press the two small triangles you have created open.

Step 7

Place another small square in the corner of the large triangle with the lines you ruled running towards the corner.

Step 8

Sew up the 1/4 inch lines as before.

Step 9

Cut the triangles apart along the centre line.

Step 10

Repeat with the other half triangle you have left, and you have created four Flying Geese!

Step 11

I know this is very patchwork teacher-y of me, but PLEASE make sure you trin the "ears" off your geese (and any other triangles you are piecing) before you piece them together! You will have a much nicer and flatter result if you do.

While we're on the subject of triangles, here's a little beauty that Sue in my Wednesday night class whipped up. Flying Geese again, just made a little differently!!

Sarah Fielke Material Obsession

Comments

[Sonja]

Excellent tuto! Thank you!!!

[Di]

AAhhhh so that's how you do it! Thanks.

[Natalie]

WoW!!! I love this technique! Thanks

[Donna]

Thanks Sarah - looks easy and makes sense. Will give a try.

[Jenny]

THanks Sarah, looks much easier than the way I do it...love your mix of colors, can not wait until you do a color tutorial!!
Jenny

[andi]

Love flying geese.
Have you seen my post on making them with 1 seam only?
Check out:
http://patchandi.blogspot.com/2008/10/breaking-drought-and-also-little.html
Andi :-)

[craftytammie]

found you through whipup - what a great tute! thanks for sharing!

[Brooke]

I saw you on whipup. What brand is the fabric with the flowers on it in the last few pictures? I looove what you chose!

[Mary]

This is my favorite way of making flying geese - no waste. Thanks for the great tutorial.

[christy]

I am soo lusting after that Wonderland fabric. I love what you did with it. (And yes, it's totally possible to lust for fabric.) :) (My husband is Australian and I soo want to come back there to visit just to go fabric shopping!)

I am really looking forward to exploring your blog!

[Marty]

Can hardly wait to try your method of making flying geese. The method of making the block with a rectangle and two triangles of two squares in each corner was driving me crazy. This looks much easier and more accurate.

[Holly]

Wow, that is GENIUS! I can't wait to try. Thanks for posting this!

[Celeste]

I love this tutorial. It makes it seem so simple and straightforward. And what a wonderful way to get four out of one process. Can't wait to try it!

[Maria Shaikh]

Fabulous...your tutorial has made it seem so easy!! I have just taken up quilting and I have become obsessed with fabric and patterns. And it is people like you who have made it simpler for us to learn. I have learnt loads about quilting thru the Internet!! Thank you so much.
With best regards
Maria

[Nanci]

I love you tutorial on making these flying geese but one thing I can't seem to figure out. There appears to be no extra seam allowance on the sides but when I see them sewn together in your quilts the points don't look like they get cut off. If I take a 1/4 seam on mine it cuts off the corners. Can you help explain this for me?

[ann]

"These ratios stay the same depending on what size you want your Flying Geese. ". how do you adjust the size?