Post on 14-Aug-2020
Flying Geese Quilt Block
A staple in quilt making. Uses 2 different fabrics. Chart of Flying Geese trimmed sizes: 1 by 1 ½ inches 1 ½ by 2 ½ inches 2 by 3 ½ inches 2 ½ by 4 ½ inches 3 by 5 ½ inches 3 ½ by 6 ½ inches 4 by 7 ½ inches 4 ½ by 8 ½ inches 5 by 9 ½ inches 5 ½ by 10 ½ inches When sewn into a quilt or quilt block the final measurements will be ½ inch smaller. I always start my Flying Geese pieces 1 inch larger than the trimmed size measurements so that I can square them up and trim them to the correct size and shape.
The video uses the 5 by 9 ½ inch size. I therefore cut my initial pieces 1 inch larger to have room to trim. Cut Fabric A 2 rectangles -‐ 6 inches by 10 ½ inches Fabric B 4 squares – 6 inches Place the Fabric B square on the left end of the Fabric A rectangle lining the edges up carefully.
Draw a line from the top right corner to the bottom left corner of the square.
Sew seam along the drawn line. If you choose, you may sew an additional seam ½ inch from the original seam more toward the outer corner. (When trimmed, you will be left with a half square triangle.) Trim the corner ¼ inch from the seam line.
Press open.
The most important part of sewing Flying Geese is leaving a ¼ inch seam allowance at the top center so that you do not cut off the top point when incorporating the Flying Geese into the rest of the quilt top. Place the next square on the right side of the rectangle lining up the edges.
There must be overlap between the two square pieces.
This will ensure space for seam allowance at the top to the block.
As with the first square, mark a line diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner (top center to bottom outer edge).
Sew along that line (and an additional line ½ inch further toward the outer edge If you want another half square triangle). Trim ¼ inch from the seam line and press open.
Square up and trim the Flying Geese to the desired measurements. Give special care to maintaining the point at the top of the Flying Geese by cutting a generous ¼ inch from the point. Line up the 2 diagonal lines so that the entire block is perpendicular. If not, the geese will “fly” at an angle and will look funny in the quilt top. My favorite tool for this is the Wing Clipper Ruler by Deb Tucker.
When sewn into other fabric, that ¼ inch left above the top point allows for the Flying Geese point to remain and not be cut off.
Sew as many Flying Geese together a necessary for your pattern. Flying Geese are used in many quilt blocks, in borders and you can use them as long strips in the quilt top.
Here is a square Flying Geese Quilt Block