FLYING GEESE BLOCK

I will cover three ways to make the flying geese block. Regardless of the way you make the unit, the width(base) is always twice the height. The three ways are: the traditional method, an easier method, and a quick way to make at least 4 flying geese.

A. The traditional method: In the traditional method triangles are make first. These can be made using patterns or by cutting squares on the diagonal. I will be covering the second method here.

1. For the geese fabric you need to cut a square that is 1 1/4" larger than the base. For example: if the base is 4" the square will be cut 5 1/4".

2. Cut the geese fabric twice on the diagonal. This will make 4 triangles, but you will only need one for each flying geese unit

3. The sky fabric is cut 7/8" larger than the height of the unit. For example height 2" cut square 2 7/8". Cut once on the diagonal.

4. Line up the bottom straight edge of one sky triangle with the bottom straight edge on one corner of the geese triangle. Stitch together.

5. Press back on itself. Repeat on the other side.

1. Cut a rectangle for the geese fabric. The width(base) is 2x the height. For example base 4" height 2". Add 1/2" for seam allowance.

2. Cut 2 squares the size of the height on the rectangle plus 1/2" for seam allowance.

3. Draw a diagonal line on the reverse side of your 2 squares.

4. Place on sky square on top of the one side of the geese fabric. Stitch on the diagonal line. If you are doing multiple pieces you might want to chain piece.

5. Press back the sky fabric and repeat on the other side on the geese fabric.

6. Fold back triangles and trim the back excess fabric.

C. A easy method if you are making at least 4 geese.

1. Cut a square of geese fabric the finished width of the geese unit plus 1 1/4 inches. Cut the sky fabric the finished height of the geese unit plus 7/8". For example: the width is 4" you will cut a square 4 7/8". The height is 2" you will cut a square 2 7/8"

2. Cut one geese fabric and four sky fabrics.

3. With right sides together lay 2 of the small squares on opposite corners on the large square. Using a ruler draw a pencil line diagonally from top left corner to bottom right corner. (See example)

4. Stitch 1/4" from both sides of the drawn line. Cut apart on the center line. Press toward sky fabric.

5. Draw a diagonal line on the 3rd and 4th sky fabric squares. With right sides together place one sky square on the sewn unit. Place it on top of the geese fabric with one corner coming between the sky triangles.

6. Stitch 1/4" on both sides of drawn line. Cut on diagonal line. Repeat for other unit.

7. Press your four geese units. You are ready to use them in a quilt.

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