Modern Flying Geese

Category: Quilts

This bold, modern quilt makes a statement in a variety of solid fabrics. The piecing easy is, especially once you learn the “heart” or “no-waste” method to make perfect flying geese.

What you need to make this project

Materials
Noire Cotton Blend Batting
30 fat quarters solid fabric
4 yards backing fabric
1/2 yard binding fabric
thread to match
Supplies
Sewing Machine
Rotary Cutting Supplies (mat, rotary cutter, rulers)
Creative Grids Ultimate Flying Geese tool optional
Mechanical pencil

Quick Shop

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Noire Cotton Blend 72″ x 90″

Quantity

Price: $32.99

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Instructions

Step One

Please read directions thoroughly before starting. Use a 1/4″ seam allowance throughout.

From each fat quarter, cut (2) 7 ¾” squares and (8) 4 ¼” squares. The 7 ¾” squares will become your “geese” (larger triangles) and the 4 ¼”squares will become the “sky” (smaller triangles. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step Two

Pair a 7 ¾” square of one color with (4) 4 ¼” squares of a second color.

Place a 7 ¾” square on your cutting mat, right side up.

Place (2) 4 ¼” squares of a different color, right side down, on top of the larger square, in opposite corners, making sure the edges of the corners align. The smaller squares will overlap in the center of the larger square.

Using the mechanical pencil, draw a diagonal line, through the centers of the smaller squares.

Pin the smaller squares to larger squares if desired.

Step Three

Sew a ¼” seam allowance on both sides of the drawn line.

 

 

Step Four

With a rotary cutter, cut directly on the drawn line. You’ll have 2 units.

Step Five

Press the small triangles away from the larger triangle. Repeat for second unit. (Sorry for the color change!) Now you should have 2 “hearts”!

 

Step Six

Draw a diagonal on the wrong side of remaining (2) 4 ¼” squares.

Place one square in the corner of the unit from step 5.

Sew a ¼” seam allowance on both sides of the drawn line. Repeat for the second unit.

With a rotary cutter, cut directly on the drawn line. Press to make (4) flying geese units.

 

 

 

 

 

Step Seven

Trim each unit to 3 ½” x 6 ½”. I like to use the Creative Grids Ultimate Flying Geese tool. If you don’t have that tool, square the unit as follows:

    1. Place your unit, right side up, on your cutting mat, with the point of the goose facing you. Place your ruler on top of the goose so that the intersection of 3 ¼”and 3 ¼” is directly on the point of the goose, and the diagonal line of your ruler is on the seam line of the goose. Trim the right side and top of the goose.
    2. Rotate your goose so that the goose is pointing away from you. Place the bottom left corner of the goose is at the intersection of 6 ½” and 3 ½”. Trim the right and top of the goose. Your goose should measure 6 ½” wide and 3 ½” tall.
    3. Square all 4 flying geese units.

 

 

Step Eight

Sew the 4 flying geese units into a column. The block should measure 6 ½”x 12 ½”.

Tip: When sewing geese units together, sew your seam so that it intersects the 2 seam lines of the goose that make an “X”. That will prevent your goose points from being chopped off!

 

 

 

Step Nine

Repeat the above steps to make 60 units total.

Sew blocks into rows and then columns. I alternated rows with the geese facing upward and then facing downward. Feel free to experiment with the orientation of the geese!

Cut backing fabric into (2) pieces approximately 40” x 72”.

Remove selvages and sew together on the long cut edge. Your backing will measure approximately 72” x 80”.

Layer quilt top, batting and backing.

Quilt as desired.

Cut binding into (7) 2 ¼” strips.

Join strips together on the diagonal. Fold in half and press.

Bind quilt using your preferred method.

You’re finished! Enjoy your new quilt!