Exploring the Basics: Three Easy Ways to Make Flying Geese Units

Ah, the flying geese unit - a terrific block on its own, but also a major component of other quilt blocks, especially stars (hint hint - you'll use this unit a LOT in our Adventure In Color Luminous Quilt Along!).  Like many units/blocks, there is more than one way to tackle making it.  I have three different methods I've used that I want to share with you.

3 Easy Ways to Make Flying Geese Units:

Let's start with an oldie, but a goodie - what I refer to as the Stitch'n Flip method.  To use this method you will have one rectangle (your goose) and two squares (your wings).  The formula for this method is simple: the length of the finished Flying Geese unit is twice the height, such as a 4" x 8" Flying Geese unit.  The squares that make up the wing are the same size as the height, or 4".

Using my 4" x 8" Flying Geese unit as an example, I would begin with a 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangle and TWO      4 1/2" squares.

My next step would be to place one square, RST (right sides together) at one end of the rectangle, matching up raw edges.  I would then draw a line corner to corner.  In my example above, I'm using my Magic Wand ( a handy dandy tool with a laser line down the center).  I've drawn a line from corner to corner on my square, and a second line 1/2" away, which I will use to create a bonus Half Square Triangle (HST).  Note:  You don't have to draw and stitch the second line, but do be aware that you will trim away that outside corner, so it is a great time to turn that waste into a unit you can use later!

Next steps: sew on the drawn lines, cut between the sewn lines, press away from the rectangle.  If you did draw and sew the second line, you'll have a bonus HST and a partial Flying Geese unit.

The process is repeated on the opposite side.  A second square is placed, RST, on the opposite corner of the rectangle, lines are drawn (corner to corner as well as 1/2" away), and then I stitch on the lines.  Cut between, press away from the rectangle, and ta da!  A Flying Geese unit is born!

Be aware that sometimes quilters find that their unit is a little wonky, or if they aren't careful, the seams do not go EXACTLY to the corner, which can impact the overall look of the unit when sewn into a block, and detract from the accuracy.  And some don't like those "waste" corners (you know, the ones I turned into HSTs).

So what to do?  

Let's try the No Waste Flying Geese method:

For this method, you will need one large square (your goose) and four small squares (your wings).  There is a formula for this (of course there is!).  I first learned of this method YEARS ago from Patch Pieces, and have included a link to her worksheet on this method below.

Begin by placing two squares in opposite corners of the large square, RST.  Yes, the squares will overlap.  They are SUPPOSED to.  Using a ruler - or the Magic Wand from Studio 180 - draw two lines, 1/4" off the corner to corner mark.  Sew on these drawn lines, and cut apart down the middle.

Press AWAY from the large square.

You will have two units at this point.  On each unit, place a square, RST, on the remaining free corner of the large square (which is now a HST).  Again draw lines 1/4" off the corner to corner point, and sew on those lines.  Yup, you guessed it.  Cut apart, and press away from the large square.

You now have four - count 'em, four - Flying Geese units.  And - wait for it.....no waste!  It may feel a bit awkward at first, but it is pretty quick and easy.  Remember that formula I told you about?  No Waste Flying Geese Formula by Patch Pieces - find it here.

You may have noticed that the final units, while pretty good, are just a BIT less than perfect.  So if perfection is your goal, try the Wing Clipper tool from Studio 180 (yes, I'm a fan - and a certified instructor).

Wait a minute, you may be thinking.  Didn't you just show me this?  Well, yes and no.  It does begin much like the No Waste Flying Geese method.  You WILL begin with a large square and four small squares.  The sizes you need will be determined by the size Flying Geese unit you desire.  But no formula here.  The tool comes with a chart showing you exactly what size to cut for everything.  Whew - less math!

Step 2 is just a bit different.  Instead of lining up the edges of the small squares with the edges of the large square, you will "nudge" the small squares in just a bit.  Then it proceeds much as the No Waste method does.  Draw lines.  Sew on the lines.  Cut between the sewn lines.  Press away from the large square.

Step 3 is EXACTLY the same as the No Waste method - place another square, just a BIT inside the edge of the large square, mark, sew, cut, press.

At this point, the slightly oversized Flying Geese units will be trimmed down to PERFECT size using the - you guessed it! - Wing Clipper tool.

Trimming Flying Geese Units:

Trimming is easy.  With the Flying Geese unit pointed TOWARD you, align the seam lines and the cross lines on the tool, and trim any excess on the right and top of the unit.

In case you were thinking that there would be a ton of waste in those oversized units, relax.  There isn't.  As you can see above, trimming is minimal.  Of course, if you want more wiggle room, you can always make the units MUCH larger than you need and trim down to the desired size.  Once you've trimmed the first two sides, you'll rotate the block and trim the remaining two sides.

The result?  Perfect - or reasonably perfect! - Flying Geese units.  Deb Tucker, creator of the Wing Clipper tool (and many others) has a great video on using it.  Find the video here!

These are my top three ways for creating Flying Geese units.  Kate is going to have more tips and tricks for making Flying Geese units as well, so hop on over to her blog to get more helpful suggestions!

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