Non-Traditional Flying Geese 4 at a time
What are non-traditional flying geese you ask? They’re flying geese that are NOT twice as wide as they are tall. Traditionally they are. 2 x 4, 2 1/2 x 5, 3 x 6 and so on. Kathy needed a bunch that were 3 1/2″ wide and 2″ tall. And the idea of fussy cutting all those triangles didn’t excite her.
Does that part of a quilt block make you grit your teeth, too? All those triangles! You need to cut WHAT? And the height is supposed to be half of the length? No problem, see where I used a few by clicking here.
Well, what if it’s not a traditional size?
Maybe you want to make 4 at a time. Sounds good to me. So, here’s how I made 4 non-traditional flying geese that were NOT twice as wide as they are high. 3 ½” x 2-inch Unfinished Flying Geese, 4 at a Time, dedicated to my friend Kathy.
Cut 2 Squares
For the goose fabric – cut 1 square that 1 inch larger than your unfinished width. (3 ½ + 1 = 4 ½”)
For the sky fabric – cut 1 square ½ inch larger than the goose fabric. (4 ½” + ½” = 5”
Sew the Block
With right sides together center the goose fabric on top of the sky fabric.
Draw a line diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner.
Sew a scant ¼” on each side of the drawn line, then cut apart on the line.
Open each piece out and press the seam allowance toward the goose fabric.
Place those pieces with right sides together, rotating the top one, with the outer edges even. The goose fabric will be on top of the sky fabric and the seams are parallel but not touching.
Draw a line from point to point, crossing the seam, then sew a scant ¼” on each side of it. Cut apart and press open.
Each unit will result in 2 flying geese as shown.
To separate them, first cut across the top of one, leaving 1/4 “ seam allowance. Use that cutting line as a guide to trim the bottom 2” away.
Trim the sides evenly so the block ends up at 3 ½” wide. Those cuts should meet up at the diagonal seams.
Trim all 4 that way.
No little triangles, just some trimming these non-traditional flying geese. I hope this is useful to you.
Click here for a free printable PFD.Flying Geese with SewWhatYvette
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Thank you Yvette you always come up with amazing tips and they are so appreciated!!!!!
thank you Jan. When one of my sewing sistas has a sewing challenge, I “need” to help solve it.
Thank you Yvette….this is such a great way to do the flying geese,….yes I would love a printable version. ..to add to my wall…..along with your zipper tutorial…😊
A free PDF is now available at the bottom of the page. Thanks for asking
Very good instructions as usual, you never let us down. PDF please and thak you
Lucie, ask and it becomes reality, A free PDF is now available at the bottom of the page.
I tried making a 2 x 4 1/2 block. (2.5 x 5 unfinished) Since my width is more that twice the height (your width was less than twice the height) it didn’t work. I cut my 2 squares 6 (5+1) and 6 1/2. (6+ 1/2). Once I finished there was only 1/4 inch between the points so I could on leave 1/8″ for the seam allowance at the sky fabric. Then my sky fabric didn’t meet at the corner at the bottom (The diagonal coming down) to get the correct width. (Not sure this makes sense without a picture) Not sure what adjustment needs to be made for this to work.
Thinking about this more I am not sure it would work for any nontraditional flying geese. In a traditional flying geese (width is twice the height) you have 45 degree angles between the geese and the sky. (You could make them with half square triangles and a seam down the middle.) In a nontraditional flying geese there are not 45 degree between the sky and geese so since this method uses squares you end up with 45 degree angles.
hi Beth, thank you for your observations. I need some time to digest and sample, and I will. Hopefully I figure it out.