This tutorial is my preferred method for making 4 flying geese blocks.
For this you will need one large square and four small squares of a different fabric. The large square makes the large triangle and the smaller squares make the two little triangles.
There is a graph for common finished block sizes here, but the math is pretty simple to determine the size of squares you need to cut.
Flying geese blocks are always rectangles - the length is twice the width. The large square is cut the finished length of block (the long side) plus 1+1/4" (just like the hourglass blocks), and the 4 small squares are cut the finished width of the block (the short side) plus 7/8" (just like the half square triangle blocks).
Lay two small squares as shown above on the large square. Draw a diagonal line.
Stitch scant 1/4" seams on both sides of the line. Cut on the line and press towards the small triangles.
Lay the other 2 small squares on the units and draw a diagonal line. Stitch scant 1/4" seams on both sides of the line.
Cut on the line and press the flying geese blocks open.
Trim the blocks to the finished size plus 1/2" for seam allowance. It is handy to use a square ruler and line the diagonal line up with the edge of the large triangle making sure there is 1/4" seam allowance above the point (click on the picture to make it bigger).
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| "Plan C" from 2010 |
For variable star blocks the print fabric would be the small squares and the large square would be from the background fabric.
So many different, classic quilt blocks are made with combinations of half square triangles, hourglass blocks and flying geese blocks, and the quilt blocks can be made any size with the easy math for them. I am also finding the simple math for the blocks handy when making the Dear Jane blocks I am currently working on.
I am planning on posting a little quilt pattern in May using these tutorials. I will post one block a day, plus layout and quilting ideas at the end. I loved making the recent Temecula Quilt Co little quilts and thought I would do the same.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!❤