MARCH 2005
FLYING GEESE
This month Flying Geese will be our block since it is one of the elements needed for the current Santa Monica Quilt Guild Challenge Quilt. There are several ways to make Flying Geese: Traditional cutting triangles, quick method of using a rectangle and two squares for each goose, several rulers you can purchase and paper foundation piecing. The method below was on several websites on the Internet.
You can make Flying Geese blocks with this method in any size you need for your quilt. Just remember that the width of the block is twice it’s height. Whatever width goose you want, add 1 ¼ in. and whatever height background, add 7/8 in. Also, feel free to arrange your geese any way you like. This block uses 8 geese. Because all the blocks in the Technique of the Month finish to 8" these are cutting measurements for that size. Each goose is 4in. wide and 2in. high.
Fabric A is your goose and Fabric B is your background. To make as pictured cut 2 different Fabric A and 2 different Fabric B.
To make 4 Flying Geese cut 1 square of Fabric A - 5 1/4in. and 4 squares of Fabric B – 2 7/8in.
With right sides together, lay 2 B squares on the A square. Draw a pencil line diagonally, top left to bottom right.
Stitch a 1/4in. from both sides of the drawn line. Cut apart on the line. Press seams toward Fabric B.
Now draw a diagonal line on a small B square and put it, right sides together, on top of one of the sewn units, stitch a 1/4in. from both sides of the drawn line. Cut apart on the line. Repeat with the last small square and sewn unit. Press them all open and now you have 4 Flying Geese blocks.
Repeat with the same fabrics, or use 2 different ones for a look similar to the example, your choice!
Examples of Flying Geese Blocks made by guild members.
