Tutorial Tuesday – Piecing Flying Geese Units

After trying three different ways of making Flying Geese units, I have concluded that this is my absolute favorite. The advantages to this method of piecing flying geese are:
-making four flying geese units at once.
-no waste of fabric.
-it’s very accurate.
I must tell you that I did not discover this method piecing flying geese. I was first introduced to this method while making my Moda Greenpiece quilt last year. I have been so excited ever since, I seriously can not shut up about it!

To make four flying geese units as shown in this tutorial, you will need:
one square for background fabric measuring 7 1/4 inches,
and four squares for geese fabric measuring 3 7/8 inches.
You will also need a ruler handy, pins, and a marking pencil.

Small squares to be made into Flying Geese Units. These pictured are 3 7/8 inches.

Begin by laying out the small squares 2 at a time.

Lay a ruler diagonally on the square and mark with a pencil from corner to corner.

This fabric is the background for the flying geese units. Pictured is a 7 1/4 inch square.

Place one small square in one corner of the large square lining up the raw edges.

Place a second small square in the opposite corner lining up the pencil lines and the raw edges.

Place a pin at each corner, and one in the center to hold all the patches in place.

A better close up view of the pins holding fabrics in place.

Use the pencil line as your quarter inch guide and stitch on the left side of the marked lines. Turn patch around and sew on the other side of the pencil line as well.

This is how your patch will look once both seams have been stitched out.

Place a ruler on the pencil line and cut the patch in half.

This is what your patches will look like once you have cut in half.

Press seams towards the darker fabric.

With one of units you've created, place another small square in the corner lining up the raw edges. Make sure the pencil line runs through the midle of the two peaks. Pin in place.

Sew down both sides of the pencil line, like you did in the previous step.

Line up the ruler with the pencil mark and cut the half unit into quarters.

Press seams towards the darker fabric, and trim the little doggie ears that hang off the edges.

This recipe yields four flying geese units. These are now ready for piecing into any quilting project. Each unit will measure 6.5 by 3.5 inches.

Give this a try the next time you are making a star block. I’d love to hear what you think.

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Quilty Hugs,
Bradie

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