Quilt Tips: Flying Geese

Hello Quilters!   Flying Geese are a common type of pieced unit used in many quilt blocks.   They can be pieced from three triangles, a rectangle and two squares, or a number of other clever cut and sew methods.

Most of the Quilt Blocks designers use the rectangle and two squares method. Unlike the half-square triangles, the pencil line is the sewing line. The square is matched to the edges of the rectangle. The corners should match exactly, not show any rectangle underneath.  Mark the line from corner to corner. Sew on the line.

Press, then check to see if the corners match. Then, trim away that excess fabric leaving the seam allowance.

It is important to complete the left side (marking, sewing, trimming and pressing) before completing the right side of the rectangle.

Note that when you place the square on the right side it will overlap the left square slightly. This overlap will become the ¼” seam allowance at the top when the unit is finished.  Sew directly on the line, press back to check, and trim.

With this method, there are no dog ears or bias edges to stretch.  Usually Flying Geese are used to make star points, but in Indigo Square Block 5, they show up in a the Millwheel block. Can you find them?

If you can master this basic patchwork unit, you can create a number of beautiful blocks.  There are so many design possibilities!