The flying geese pattern is a staple for the serious quilter. They may not look a lot like geese (in fact, they look more like “flying triangles”), but they are a great way to jazz up almost any quilt top.
Flying geese are relatively simple to make, and there are three different ways that you can go about it. This article will cover the traditional method, the rectangle method, and the speed-piecing method or "no-waste" method. You can try out each one to find out which technique works best for you!
Advertisement
Watch the flying geese technique video tutorial:
Materials
Two different color fabrics (one for the “sky” and one for the “goose”)
Thread
Sewing machine/sewing needle
Ruler
Scissors/rotary cutter
Pencil
Two different color fabrics (one for the “sky” and one for the “goose”)
Thread
Sewing machine/sewing needle
Ruler
Scissors/rotary cutter
Pencil
Written Instructions
1. Traditional Method
1. The traditional method is so-called because it is the oldest and simplest of the three techniques. To start, take a square of fabric whose sides are equal to the width you want your finished flying goose to be, plus an extra 1 ¼ inch to allow for the seams.
2. Cut an “X” across the square, cutting from corner to corner to create four triangles. These will be your geese.
3. Take the fabric you would like to use for your sky, and cut two triangles from it. To start with, the fabric should be the height you would like your finished goose to be, but in the end, these triangles will be a bit smaller than the ones for your goose. (QuiltersCache.com has a more detailed description.)
4. Once you have two triangles for the sky and one for the goose, flip the small triangles over, so that they are face to face with the goose, with their joined edges pressed together. Stitch along the side of the triangle, joining goose triangle to the right sky piece, then joining the goose triangle with the left sky piece, allowing for a ¼ inch seam.
5. Unfold the triangles to make a rectangle, and press the seams open. You should be able to make four geese with this method, using the squares that you started with.
2. Rectangle Method
1. This method begins (as expected) with a rectangle instead of a square. You will need one rectangular piece of fabric measuring the length you want your finished goose unit to be, plus a ½ inch extra to allow for the seam, as before. This will be your goose, so choose the color accordingly. You will also need two squares that are each half of that desired length, plus ½ inch.
1. This method begins (as expected) with a rectangle instead of a square. You will need one rectangular piece of fabric measuring the length you want your finished goose unit to be, plus a ½ inch extra to allow for the seam, as before. This will be your goose, so choose the color accordingly. You will also need two squares that are each half of that desired length, plus ½ inch.
2. Flip over the squares and draw a diagonal line across the back of them that splits the square in half.
3. Place one of the squares on top of the rectangle, face down on the right side. Karen Walker of Craftsy’s blog calls this method the “Corner Triangle Method,” because you have to make sure that the corner of the square and the corner of the rectangle match up.
4. Sew along the line you drew.
5. Cut away the excess fabric to the right of the line you just stitched (leaving a ¼ inch for the seam), and unfold the flap of sky you just made. Press the seam.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 with the other square on the left side, and you’re finished!
3. Speed-piecing method
1. Last on our list is the speed piecing method. It is also referred to as the “no-waste method,” because it allows you to use every piece of fabric you start out with, without leaving anything for the scrap pile. To start, you will need basically the same materials you needed for the traditional method: One large square for the geese, and four smaller squares for the background or sky.
1. Last on our list is the speed piecing method. It is also referred to as the “no-waste method,” because it allows you to use every piece of fabric you start out with, without leaving anything for the scrap pile. To start, you will need basically the same materials you needed for the traditional method: One large square for the geese, and four smaller squares for the background or sky.
2. Draw a diagonal line across the back side of the smaller squares, just like in step two of the rectangular method.
3. Place two of the smaller squares atop the larger square in the corners, as shown. The diagonal lines you drew should combine to form one long line that goes through the center of the piece.
4. Stitch two ¼ inch seams – one on each side of the line you drew.
5. Cut on the line to make two triangles. Unfold, and press the sky fabric upwards.
6. Take one of your two remaining small squares and place it face down atop the piece you just made, lining it up with the corner, as shown.
7. Sew two more ¼ inch seams, one on each side of the line, and cut again. Then open up the two units and press them flat.
8. Repeat this process on the other unit. In the end, you will have four flying geese units, and zero waste!
Whichever flying geese method works for you, you will end up with a beautiful quilt that looks like a flock of geese (or maybe a flock of triangles!) taking flight.
Advertisement
