Thursday, May 4, 2023

Flying Geese (An easy method to make 4 at a time)

Learn to make the classic flying geese quilt block unit. Flying geese are used in so many quilt blocks. It's one of those foundational blocks that can be used in so many ways. 

Today, I'm sharing a method to make 4 flying geese blocks at one time. This technique starts out with slightly oversized blocks. Once finished, trim them down to the exact size for perfect flying geese.

flying geese

FLYING GEESE (An easy method to make 4 at a time)

These flying geese units were used to make a sawtooth star quilt block. The sawtooth star and a 16 patch quilt block were used to make this darling baby blanket.

Check out this post for more quilt ideas using flying geese.

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flying geese with text overlay
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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR QUILTING

Below are some quilting tools that will be helpful making flying geese. I don't always recommend specialty rulers. Most of the time quilting rulers can be used for multiple purposes. However, I have found that a flying geese ruler really helps to get an accurate sized block. Since they have built in lines, it's an easy way to trim up your blocks.

FORMULA FOR FLYING GEESE

When I quilt, I like to make things just a little bit bigger than needed and then trim them down to be the exact size I want. 
The reason is because no matter how hard I try, I'm never 100% accurate with my sewing. If I make my blocks slightly larger than needed then there is a little wiggle room.

Once I trim the block down, I end up with the perfect size without all the stress of perfection.

Each flying geese quilt block is twice as long as it is tall. Determine the final size you wish the block to be.

 Add 1 1/8 inches to the short measurement. Add 1 1/2 inches to the long measurement. Make the block as instructed below and then trim to the finished size.

The new short measurement will be used to cut out 4 squares of colored fabric. The new long measurement will be used to cut out one square of white fabric. 

 


fabric squares ready to sew


I've created a printable flying geese cutting chart with a variety of sizes. It's a handy resource that includes instructions on how to make them as well.

Simply print it out and you can have it to reference any time you make flying geese. Make sure to grab your flying geese cheat sheet at the end of the post. 


HOW TO MAKE 4 FLYING GEESE AT ONCE


This is my favorite method to make flying geese because you can make four at once. If you learn better by watching, here's the video tutorial for this easy technique.

This flying geese method is in essence a no-waste method. The only scraps you'll toss are when you trim up the block at the end.

Gather and cut out your fabric. For this example, I am making a 2" X 4" flying geese unit. So cut out four 3 1/8" squares from white and one 5 1/2" square.

Draw two lines on the back of each colored smaller square. These lines are 1/4 inch away from the center.

I line up the quarter inch markings on a ruler with the points of the square. Then draw a diagonal line. Turn the square and draw a line on the other side.



making flying geese

Place two of the colored squares at opposite corners of the white large square with right sides together. The middle will overlap.

making flying geese

Sew along the lines and then cut down the center of the square from corner to corner between the two sewn lines.

making flying geese

Press open with the seam toward the colored fabrics.
 
making flying geese

Place the last two colored small squares on the remaining white corner with the lines vertical.

making flying geese

Again, sew along the lines. Cut between the lines.

flying geese

Press each unit open with the seam toward the color.

trimming up flying geese


Using a flying geese ruler, trim up the block to create the perfect flying geese unit. 
flying geese



Want to watch the video?  ↓↓Click the link ↓↓

MORE QUILT BLOCK TUTORIALS


MORE QUILT PATTERNS


Don't forget to pin it!!



flying geese quilt block

flying geese quilt pattern

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