I’ve mentioned making Flying Geese  for my Post-surgery Quilt of Valor and my February QOV finish. I used two different methods in the two quilts.

I was thinking of doing a tutorial for the method I used for the Marching Stars quilt top. But then I realized others had done it & included a very helpful size chart. So why re-create the wheel and just share a link and a few thoughts.

Many Methods Making Flying Geese

There are several methods of making Flying Geese. Two make one at a time and one will make 4 identical Flying Geese.

One method uses 2 squares & 1 rectangle, marking the squares on the diagonal, stitching on the diagonal, trimming & flipping. This is fine for making a single Flying Geese (Goose) or if they all are different colors. But there is a bit of waste when corners are trimmed.

Another method uses two different rulers (or a creative use of a regular ruler). The Easy Angle & Companion Angle Rulers are used by Bonnie Hunter and demonstrated in her YouTube Video here.. There is no waste using this method but each of the Flying Geese are stitched separately. I’d probably use when hand piecing.

No Waste, 4-at-a-time Flying Geese

For my Post-surgery Flying Geese I chose the No Waste, 4 at a time Method.

Each set of 4 requires a large square and 4 smaller squares. A diagonal line is drawn on the back of the 4 smaller squares. Two smaller squares are lined up on the diagonal of the larger square with the lines drawn laid corner to corner.

A scant 1/4″ seam is stitched on either side of the drawn line (similar to making Half Square Triangles). When cut on the line there will be 2 triangles with 2 smaller triangles. These two smaller triangles are flipped & ironed.

One small square is added to each unit and a scant 1/4″ seam is stitched on either side of the diagonal line. After cutting on the line flip & iron the last triangle.  I trim all sides of all 4 units giving me 4 finished Flying Geese.

American Patchwork & Quilting Editors shared a tutorial on the All People Quilt site. There are lots of pictures plus a chart to download with different sizes as well as step by step pictures.

I’ve used all these methods, but definitely when making lots (and lots) of them I think I like the 4 at a time the best. Do you have a favorite method of making Flying Geese?

Hope you are making progress on whatever you are stitching this week!

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse