Flying Geese Tutorial
by Sarah Fielke

Learn how to make Flying Geese units without having to cut a single triangle.

These Flying Geese are in my quilt, Down the Rabbit Hole that I made to showcase Momo’s Wonderland line for Moda. For a pattern for this quilt, you can click here to purchase.



You can also see Flying Geese units in my quilt, Jungle Boogie, which is in the second Material Obsession book, Shared Inspiration. Click here to purchase.



Jungle Boogie from Material Obsession: Shared Inspiration, photography by John Doughty

So here goes! This is a fabulous method of making Flying Geese which is quick, accurate and eliminates dealing with too much bias.

Step 1


Cut a large square 6 1/2" and four small squares 3 1/2". These ratios stay the same depending on what size you want your Flying Geese. This size squares produces Geese 3 1/8 x 5 3/4.

Step 2

 
Using a sharp pencil and a patchwork ruler, rule a line from point to point in one direction on each square. Then rule a line 1/4 to either side of that line.

Step 3

 
Place a small square at each diagonal corner of the large square, right sides together. The small squares will overlap in the centre by 1/4".

Step 4
 

Sew up both of the 1/4" lines that you ruled, but NOT up the centre line.

Step 5


Cut along the centre line, giving you two triangles.

Step 6
 

Press the two small triangles you have created open.

Step 7
 

Place another small square in the corner of the large triangle with the lines you ruled running towards the corner.

Step 8
 

Sew up the 1/4 inch lines as before.

Step 9

 
Cut the triangles apart along the centre line.

Step 10
 

Repeat with the other half triangle you have left, and you have created four Flying Geese!

Step 11

 
I know this is very patchwork teacher-y of me, but PLEASE make sure you trim the "ears" off your geese (and any other triangles you are piecing) before you piece them together! You will have a much nicer and flatter result if you do.

While we're on the subject of triangles, here's a little beauty that Sue in my Wednesday night class whipped up. Flying Geese again, just made a little differently!!