Flying Goose Quilt Block Pattern

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To sew a flying goose quilt block, follow these steps:

Materials:

• Fabric for the goose (larger triangle)
• Fabric for the background (smaller triangles)
• Sewing machine
• Iron and ironing board
• Rotary cutter or fabric scissors
• Cutting mat
• Ruler
• Pins

Instructions:

1. Cut one large triangle from the fabric for the goose. This triangle will be the body of the goose. Its dimensions will depend on the size of the block you want to make.

2. Cut four smaller triangles from the fabric for the background. These triangles will be the wings of the goose. To determine the size of the smaller triangles, take the desired finished size of the block and add 1 1/4 inches to each dimension. For example, if you want your finished block to be 6 inches square, cut four triangles that measure 4 1/4 inches on each side.

3. Place two of the smaller triangles right sides together with the large triangle, aligning the edges. Pin in place.

4. Sew along the long edge of the two small triangles with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

5. Press the seam allowance toward the small triangles.

6. Repeat steps 3-5 with the remaining two small triangles, sewing them to the other side of the large triangle to form the goose's wings.

7. Trim the excess fabric from the back of the block.

8. Repeat these steps to create as many flying goose blocks as needed for your quilt.

Tips:

• Pressing the seams well is crucial to making sure your block lays flat and doesn't have any puckers or wrinkles.
• Using a consistent seam allowance is important for ensuring all your blocks are the same size.
• Make sure your triangles are cut accurately for best results.

Happy quilting!

This is a great technique for making half square triangles that eliminates the need to directly manipulate the stretchy bias of the triangle. It utilizes two easy to cut squares producing two half square triangles.

On the back of the lighter fabric, draw a pencil line, diagonally from corner to corner.

 

Stack a pair of light and dark squares, right sides together. Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance on each side of the line.

You will end up with something like this.

Now cut along the diagonal line.

 

Press the seam together to set the seam. Then press towards the darkest fabric.

To trim the block to the exact size line up the diagonal 45°angle with the ruler on your seam.

And then carefully trim your block with a rotary cutter.

Sew the squares together.

Mark the wrong side of the unit with a pencil line aligning the corners of the squares and the intersection of the seams.

Line up the corner of the square or triangle you will add to the corner of the unit:

Sew a seam one thread's width from the marked / ironed line. This tiny allowance makes room for the fold of the fabric so that the point isn't cut off the triangle.

Then fold the triangle into position, using the squares to assist alignment then press.

Trim away excess fabric to reduce bulk. Leaving a 1/4" seam, and trim the ears.

How to Resize Quilt Blocks:

The first step in modifying any quilt block is to decide on the size of your finished quilt block. You can come to a decision based on a number of factors: doubling a pattern, cutting your pattern in half, or choosing the size based on your available fabric.

NOTE: When working from a pattern’s cutting instructions, make sure you remove the seam allowance before doubling or tripling the size. For instance, if your pattern calls for 3-1/2″ squares, first you’ll subtract the sum of the seam allowances (1/2″), double the finished block size (from 3″ to 6″), and add the seam allowance back in (1/2″). So, when all is said and done, you will cut a 6-1/2″ piece of fabric.

Resizing Square Blocks:

Square blocks are the easiest to resize. Simply add to your finished block measurement. For example, if you’d like your finished block to be a 4″ square, you’ll need to cut a 4-1/2″ square of fabric.

Resizing Rectangular Blocks:

Similarly to the square, for rectangle blocks, you’ll add to the length and width measurements of your finished block. If you’re doubling block that measures 3″ x 4″ in your quilt, you’ll cut a 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ rectangle of fabric.

Resizing Half-Square Triangle Blocks:

When you want to change the size of a Half-Square Triangle block, add 7/8″ to the desired finished block size. To make a 4″ finished block, you’d cut 4-7/8″ squares.

Resizing Quarter Square Triangle:

Since there are two cut lines and two seam lines in a Quarter-Square Triangle block you’ll need to add 1-1/4″ to the desired finished block size. For a finished block that’s 4″, you’d cut your squares 5-1/4″.