Flying geese are our first block for May. They are fun to make in a traditional or in an improv manner.
Decisions
- Decide if you are going to put a spacer between the Rail Fence and the Geese.
- When deciding on the size of the geese, consider how many and the finished size that you want.
Making Single Geese
- For 2 1/2” x 5″ finished geese, you need one 3” x 5 1/2” rectangle and two 3” squares.
- For 2 3/4″ x 5 1/2” finished geese, you need one 3 1/4” x 6” rectangle and two 3 1/4” squares.
Hints or Things to Try
- Sew on the side of the line towards the corner.
- If you sew a second line 1/2” over towards the corner you will gain a HST (Half Square Triangle) to use later.
- Use rectangles and randomly sew pieces to it to make improv geese.
Making Four Geese with the No Waste Method
- This is a fun method of making geese. There are links below for this method, but I agree with Niki at Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild that making four Flying Geese by the No-Waste Method works more easily if one increases the size of the smaller squares by a scant 1/8”.
- For 2 1/2” x 5” finished geese, cut one 6 1/4” square (the geese) and four 3 3/8” squares (the background).
- For 2 3/4” x 5 1/2” finished geese, cut one 6 3/4” square and four 3 5/8” squares.
- These are the sizes of small squares given in various directions online. Try them out to see what works for you.
Helpful Resources
- Canadian Quilters’ Association (CQA) Blog – “Stitch & Flip” Method for making 1.5” x 3” single geese. A particularly useful method for a scrappy look. Keep in mind that the large rectangle is the goose.
- Spruce Crafts – Directions for the No Waste Method.
- Spruce Crafts – Cutting Chart for the No Waste Method.
- Seymour Quilters Guild Blog Post – Block of the Month November 2017. Shows step-by-step pictures for No Waste Method.
- Suzy Quilts – Flying Geese Tutorial. A bit of history surrounding Flying Geese and directions for single and multiple Flying Geese.
Happy Quilting,
Marilyn, Barb and Les
Seymour Quilters Guild 