The Flying Geese Project

 The other day I got a wild hair to start a new project featuring Flying Geese.

I've made quilts before that have Flying Geese in them.  But not a quilt of just Flying Geese.

I've made a couple of Welcome Wreath quilts...

And, of course, some star and basket blocks incorporate Flying Geese.

But I think it's high time I make an actual Flying Geese quilt.  I would like to do this

in the same "block-a-day" manner that I've made a couple of other quilts, like my

2-Stars-A-Day quilt and an Hourglass quilt I posted about on Instagram a few years ago.

The block-a-day method is great because it forces you to get into your sewing room, have some creative time, and make a little bit of progress each and every day.  I've found that with this method, you usually end up doing more than just one block.  Sometimes getting to your sewing machine is the hardest part but once you get there you don't want to stop!  But even if you make just one block a day, you can feel good about your progress!  This is also great for someone like me (who is going through a bit of a sewing-slump and needs to get his or her "sew-jo" back!)

I've picked out some fabrics from my stash for this project... I have about 4-5 yards

of this beautiful cream with yellow flowers fabric that I'm going to use for my background.

I'm going to pair it with some pinks, browns, aqua's and greens that will really "pop"

against the background fabric.  I think it will be really scrappy and fun!

PLUS, it will be a great scrap/stash buster project.

And you are welcome to join me!

I have a cutting chart and two Flying Geese tutorials for you, below.

You choose the size blocks you want to make and the layout/pattern you want to make with them!

It will be fun to see what everyone comes up with!

Note: Because there are so many different-sized blocks and quilts that you could make

(and different methods you could use), I will not be able to figure out how much fabric

you will need for your particular quilt.  So sorry about that!  But when in doubt,

either make it scrappy or buy a lot of fabric haha!

Here's the cutting chart.  Click HERE for the printable PDF.

You can choose the method of Flying Geese-making that works best for you!

Minimal Waste 4-at-a-time or the Stitch 'N Flip 1-at-a-time method.

If you don't have very big pieces of fabric or very much time per day, I would recommend

the Stitch 'N Flip method.  If you have bigger pieces of fabric and a bit more time,

I would recommend the 4-at-a-time method.  It's up to you!

Note: There are so many ways to make Flying Geese.  You can make them oversized,

the exact size, 4-at-a-time, 1-at-a-time, you can use trimming rulers, or you can paper piece them.

Find the method that works best for you, your fabric sizes, the gadgets you have or want to invest in, etc.!  You may want to do some more research online if neither of my methods

seem like they'll work for you.  I also suggest making some test blocks to see

what you think before you "lock in" to your method and size.

I might do a combination of both methods listed on my cutting chart, depending on my fabric.

I'll mostly do the 4-at-a-time method with my bigger pieces of fabric and then maybe

a few, using the Stitch 'N Flip method to use up some scraps.

Either way, I'll be making 3" x 6" finished blocks.

That works well for me as they're not too big or too small.

What size will you make?

For the 4-at-a-time method, you will need 1 large square of fabric for the Geese

and 4 smaller squares of fabric for the background.  Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner

on the wrong side of each background square.

Place two small squares in opposite corners of the big square, right sides together (RST)

as shown below.  (Notice the direction of the drawn lines.)  The two squares (and lines)

will overlap a little bit.  Pin in place, if desired.  Use a scant 1/4" seam allowance

to stitch along both sides of the drawn lines.  Then cut on the drawn lines to make 2 units.

Press the seam allowances as desired.  Note: I don't plan to use sashing in my quilt.

I also think most of my Flying Geese will be going in the same direction.  This means

that most of my seam allowances will be going in the same direction.  So I am pressing my

seam allowances open so there won't be as much bulk.  You are welcome to press yours

toward the background triangles if you prefer.

Next, place the 2 remaining small squares in the corners of the 2 units (RST) as shown below.

(Notice the direction of the drawn lines.)  Pin in place, if desired.

Use a scant 1/4" seam allowance to stitch along both sides

of the drawn lines on both units.  Then cut on the drawn lines to make 4 Flying Geese blocks.

Press the seam allowances as desired.

Square up the Flying Geese block to your chosen unfinished block size

(which is the finished block size + 1/2" added to both the width and height.

For example, the unfinished size for a 3" x 6" finished block is 3-1/2" x 6-1/2".)

Some people hate pressing seams open.  I don't mind doing it.

It makes for a flat block with less bulk.

If you follow my instructions (using a scant 1/4" seam allowance and the cutting chart above),

you will only trim off a tiny bit when it comes time to square up your blocks.

If you want more wiggle room, I recommend making one size bigger on the chart

(ie, instead of cutting for a 3" x 6" finished block, you could cut for a 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" finished block

and then square it up to 3-1/2" x 6-1/2" unfinished).  It will waste a little more fabric, though.  

That's what I did here, with this chartruse gingham fabric.  I'm going to stick with the original way

but it's up to you!

Note: Several people on Instagram recommended the Studio 180 Design

Wing Clipper Ruler for trimming Flying Geese.  I got it and am really happy with it!

Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.  There is also a video tutorial on how to use the ruler

on that Amazon listing.

For the 1-at-a-time method, you will need 1 rectangle of fabric for the Geese

and 2 small squares of fabric for the background.  Mark a diagonal line from

corner to corner on the wrong side of each square.

Note: This method is exact and you won't need to square anything up if you follow my

cutting chart for your desired finished block size.  Feel free to make them bigger though,

if you want room to square them up.

Place one small square on one end of the rectangle, right sides together (RST)

as shown below.  Pin in place, if desired.  Stitch on the drawn line and then trim 1/4" away

from the stitches.  Press the seam allowances as desired.

Repeat those steps with the remaining square on the opposite end of the rectangle.

Note: You will have some waste with this method.

The triangles you trim off could be used for a bonus project.

I hope you have found all of this information helpful!  Like I said, there are so many options for

how to make Flying Geese.  You can do your own thing but I hope you'll join me in this

fun, block-a-day project!  Please send me pictures of your finished quilt, if you do!

P.S. I don't really know how many Flying Geese blocks I'll be making.

I'll see how far my background fabric takes me.  If I run out of background fabric,

I'll either buy more of the same one or start using multiple background fabrics.

I'm not afraid to mix it up/make it extra scrappy.

Leave a comment below if you're going to join me and if you

have any questions or comments.  I'd love to hear details of what you plan to do!

Happy quilting!