Quilt block · Logs and strips · Beginner
Flying Geese quilt block
Eight flying-geese units in two columns, all pointing up: dark geese on the left, medium on the right. Also called Flying Goose.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 geese
- A1 square 4¼″cut twice on the diagonals
Medium · Denim in the picture
4 geese
- A1 square 4¼″cut twice on the diagonals
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 3⅛″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 geese
- A1 square 5¾″cut twice on the diagonals
Medium · Denim in the picture
4 geese
- A1 square 5¾″cut twice on the diagonals
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
16 triangles
- A8 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
4 geese
- A1 square 7¼″cut twice on the diagonals
Medium · Denim in the picture
4 geese
- A1 square 7¼″cut twice on the diagonals
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 flying geese units: Dark and Background
Sew a sky triangle to one short side of the goose triangle and press toward the sky; then the other. The goose’s point sits ¼″ below the top edge. Each measures 3½″ × 2″ (3″ × 1½″ finished).
- Make 4 flying geese units: Medium and Background
Sew a sky triangle to one short side of the goose triangle and press toward the sky; then the other. The goose’s point sits ¼″ below the top edge. Each measures 3½″ × 2″ (3″ × 1½″ finished).
- Sew the units into 2 columns
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 2 columns. Press the seams in column 1 up, column 2 down, and so on, so they nest when the columns are joined.
- Join the columns
Join the 2 columns, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 flying geese units: Dark and Background
Sew a sky triangle to one short side of the goose triangle and press toward the sky; then the other. The goose’s point sits ¼″ below the top edge. Each measures 5″ × 2¾″ (4½″ × 2¼″ finished).
- Make 4 flying geese units: Medium and Background
Sew a sky triangle to one short side of the goose triangle and press toward the sky; then the other. The goose’s point sits ¼″ below the top edge. Each measures 5″ × 2¾″ (4½″ × 2¼″ finished).
- Sew the units into 2 columns
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 2 columns. Press the seams in column 1 up, column 2 down, and so on, so they nest when the columns are joined.
- Join the columns
Join the 2 columns, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 flying geese units: Dark and Background
Sew a sky triangle to one short side of the goose triangle and press toward the sky; then the other. The goose’s point sits ¼″ below the top edge. Each measures 6½″ × 3½″ (6″ × 3″ finished).
- Make 4 flying geese units: Medium and Background
Sew a sky triangle to one short side of the goose triangle and press toward the sky; then the other. The goose’s point sits ¼″ below the top edge. Each measures 6½″ × 3½″ (6″ × 3″ finished).
- Sew the units into 2 columns
Lay out the units as in the picture and sew them into 2 columns. Press the seams in column 1 up, column 2 down, and so on, so they nest when the columns are joined.
- Join the columns
Join the 2 columns, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
More like this: Log Cabin and strip quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Flying Geese the same block as Flying Goose?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Flying Goose as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 4 × 4 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, 14″, 15″, 16″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 2 sections (A and B), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s a good block for a beginner: 24 pieces in 2 different shapes and 9 points to match. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.