✈️ Flying Geese Quilt Blocks ✈️
Master this classic quilt unit with the easy 4-at-a-time method!
Make four identical Flying Geese blocks quickly and accurately.
What You'll Need:
- Fabric for "geese" (the large triangle)
- Fabric for background (the small triangles)
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat
- Pencil or fabric marking pen
- Sewing machine
- Iron
Cutting Chart for 4-at-a-Time Method
This method makes FOUR Flying Geese units. Finished size is always half the height of the width (2:1 ratio).
| Finished Size | Large Square (Geese) | Small Squares (Background) |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 4" | Cut 1 at 5.25" | Cut 4 at 2.875" |
| 3" x 6" | Cut 1 at 7.25" | Cut 4 at 3.875" |
| 4" x 8" | Cut 1 at 9.25" | Cut 4 at 4.875" |
Formula: Large square = finished height + 1.25". Small squares = finished height + 0.875"
For this tutorial, we'll make four 2" x 4" (finished) Flying Geese.
- Cut ONE 5.25" square from your "geese" fabric
- Cut FOUR 2.875" squares from your background fabric
On the WRONG side of each small background square, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner with a pencil or marking pen.
Use a ruler to keep your lines straight and corner-to-corner. This diagonal line is your sewing guide!
Place TWO small squares on OPPOSITE corners of the large square, right sides together. The diagonal lines should point toward each other.
Sew directly on both diagonal lines. Start and stop at the edges of the small squares.
Cut 1/4" away from the sewn lines (on the outer edge). Press the small triangles open. You now have a unit with two "sky" triangles!
Position the two remaining small squares on the opposite corners, right sides together. Make sure the diagonal lines point toward the center of the large square.
Sew on both diagonal lines. Cut 1/4" from the sewn lines. Press the triangles open.
Cut the unit in half vertically through the center. Then cut each half horizontally through the center. You now have FOUR identical Flying Geese units!
You've made four perfect Flying Geese units with no waste! Use them in quilt borders, sashing, or as the main design element. The possibilities are endless!
Pro Tips for Perfect Flying Geese:
- Press seams toward the background triangles to reduce bulk
- Use a quarter-inch foot on your machine for accurate seams
- Chain piece multiple sets to save time and thread
- Square up units if needed, but they should measure perfectly if you follow the cutting chart
- Practice with scraps first if you're new to this technique
