“Flying Geese” is the name of a small quilt block used in a lot of larger quilt blocks. Follow thee directions to make 4 flying geese that are exactly 3.5″ by 6.5.” These dimensions include 1/4″ seam allowances, so the finished block size will be 3″ by 6.”
Note: These directions make the blocks a little big and have you trim them down. This method works for any level of quilter but is especially foolproof for beginning quilters.
Save time, make 4 flying geese at a time
These directions will make four flying geese blocks. It is a little faster than making 4 separate blocks, and a lot less fussy. The only fussiness in these directions are when you trim the blocks at the end. But trust me when I say it’s a lot easier to trim a slightly-too-big block than to make a block bigger after you’ve made it too small!
Set up your sewing machine
It’s all in the preparation. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, they say!
- Set your sewing machine up for a scant 1/4″ seam allowance. This is a couple of threads less than 1/4 inch. Using the scant 1/4” will make your blocks turn out a bit better.
- Clean it out if it needs it.
- Put on your walking foot, if you have one.
- Put in a new needle, especially if you don’t remember the last time you changed your needle.
Prepare your fabric
I prefer to use pre-washed quilt fabric. Measure at least twice before cutting! You will need:
- One 7.5″ square (in the background color)
- Four 4″ squares (in the triangle color)
Make the Flying Geese
Take each 4″ squares, turn it over, and with a ruler, draw a diagonal line across the back with a #2 pencil.
Lay out the big background square and pin two smaller squares to it, pretty side down, with the diagonal lines lining up.
Sew a seam a scant 1/4″ away from the pencil line, all the way across the block.
Turn the block around and sew on the other side, a scant 1/4″ away from the pencil line.
Using a rotary cutter, carefully cut down the diagonal pencil line.
Press the seams to one side.
Repeat the following twice, once for each triangle heart.
Take one triangle/heart you just made, and add a small square to it, over raw edges on the background fabric, with the diagonal line going into the space between the already sewn triangles.
Pin.
Sew a seam a scant 1/4″ away from the pencil line (a couple of threads smaller than 1/4”), all the way across the block.
Turn the block around and sew on the other side, a scant 1/4″ away from the pencil line.
Using a rotary cutter, carefully cut down the diagonal pencil line.
Press the seams to one side on each block.
Trim each flying geese block to 3.5″ by 6.5″. Do not skip this step! If you do not trim the block properly, it will be too big, and mess up your project!
Be careful to cut no more than 1/4″ away from the sewn point and ensure the corners with seams hit the corners of the block.
Repeat the last 6 steps with the second triangle/heart.
You now have 4 flying geese blocks! These can be combined in many ways to make fancier blocks, so you’ll find you use this method over and over.
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