Saturday, April 13, 2013

Block of the Month Club #3...Flying Geese

Hi everyone! Here is the 3rd block for our Block of the Month Club. If you are just joining us, you're not late at all. You can jump in at any time and start with this block or catch up on the last 2 blocks. This quilt block club is an easy one. Each month, I will share a 12.5 inch traditional quilt block pattern. You can stop at any time and make your quilt any size you want.

I will add tips and tricks along the way too. These blocks are for the beginner and the experienced quilter...so fun for all!! You can click HERE for the first post and block in February and click HERE for the March block.

April is the Flying Geese Quilt Block

flying geese quilt block


For a 12.5 inch unfinished quilt block, you will need...
  • 8 rectangles in a medium or dark color cut at 6.5 inches x 3.5 inches
  • 16 squares in a light color cut at 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches

flying geese quilt block

The first step is to take one light square and place it right sides together on the left side of the rectangle.

flying geese quilt block

To make it a little easier and accurate, draw a pencil line from corner to corner as shown below.

flying geese quilt block

Here's the pencil line.

flying geese quilt block

Now sew on the pencil line.

flying geese quilt block

I sew just a smidge to the side of the pencil line going towards the corner.

flying geese quilt block

You can also use your center line on your sewing machine.

flying geese quilt block

I love to chain piece, which means to keep on sewing one after the other with out stopping until you're done.

flying geese quilt block

This is what all 8 rectangles should look like in this step.

flying geese quilt block

You can trim to a 1/4 inch with scissors or rotary blade and ruler.

flying geese quilt block

Trimmed.

flying geese quilt block

However, here is this month's TIP!!!

Let's not waste this corner, because there is a half square triangle in there just crying to come out!!

flying geese quilt block

BONUS...

If you want this bonus square, sew on the pencil line as above, but DON'T TRIM.

Take your quilt ruler and place the 1/2 inch (half inch) line on the stitching you just sewed down the center and draw another pencil line.

flying geese quilt block

this is a close-up.

flying geese quilt block

Now stitch on that line.

flying geese quilt block

Here they all are with 2 stitched lines on each.

flying geese quilt block

Now you can just cut up the center of the 2 stitched lines or place your ruler with the 1/4 line on the second stitching.

flying geese quilt block

and cut with rotary blade.

flying geese quilt block

Cut up the middle with blade.

flying geese quilt block

or cut up the middle by hand with scissors.

flying geese quilt block

Here are all 8 rectangles trimmed.

flying geese quilt block

Iron back each light colored square on the rectangle.

flying geese quilt block

Iron open your half square triangle too!!

flying geese quilt block

The flying geese are for this month's block and the half square triangles are your bonus. I am looking for the next block to incorporate these extra squares!!

flying geese quilt block

These are the 8 flying geese half done.

flying geese quilt block

Now take the other 8 light colored squares and place them on the right side of the rectangle.

***You MUST have the first squares on and ironed open before you add this second square***

flying geese quilt block

Do the same thing as before.

Draw your pencil line...making sure you're seeing the "triangle forming", which means you are stitching in the right direction.

flying geese quilt block

Stitch on the pencil line.

flying geese quilt block

Draw your bonus pencil lines 1/2 inch away from the first stitch lines.

flying geese quilt block

Close-up of bonus pencil line 1/2 inch away from first stitching.

flying geese quilt block

Stitch on bonus line.

flying geese quilt block

Close-up of both stitching lines.

flying geese quilt block

Trim those corners away.

flying geese quilt block

Close-up.

flying geese quilt block

8 flying geese.

flying geese quilt block

16 bonus half square triangles that would have been in the trim pile in the garbage!! (these are not for this block though)

flying geese quilt block

Back to the flying geese.

flying geese quilt block

This intersection is critical for a nice point in this block. You need to have the 1/4 inch there.

flying geese quilt block

Once you make lot of these, you can "eye" it,  but you can use a ruler to check if this is your first time.

flying geese quilt block

Now to assemble the Flying Geese Block...

This is the placement of the geese.

flying geese quilt block

You will be sewing 2 geese together at a time into 4 squares.

Fold over the geese, right sides together according to the arrows shown below.

flying geese quilt block

For example, fold over the bottom one to the top one.

flying geese quilt block

Like this.

flying geese quilt block

Pin to secure.

flying geese quilt block

Now sew with a 1/4 inch seam.

flying geese quilt block

MOST IMPORTANT PART...the "X" intersection that I'm pointing to below.

flying geese quilt block

Sew through this "X" intersection and you will get a perfect point on your flying geese.

flying geese quilt block

Sew just a smidge to the right of the "X".

flying geese quilt block


flying geese quilt block

2 rectangles sewn together. Iron open.

flying geese quilt block

Sew the rest into the squares to look like this below. Iron.

flying geese quilt block

Now sew the top 2 squares right sides together and then the bottom 2 sets. Iron seams open but in opposites directions.

Then you will sew the top row to the bottom row, right sides together.

flying geese quilt block

Make sure you match that center seam

flying geese quilt block

Pin, sew and iron open.

flying geese quilt block

Done!!

flying geese quilt block

Here are the three month's of blocks all together. Bowtie, Linoleum and now Flying Geese

flying geese quilt block

I also wanted to show you how to trim your flying geese.

flying geese quilt block

I love these bias rulers.

flying geese quilt block

Take your ironed half square triangle and place the center line of the bias ruler on your center line of the square.

Line up the 2 sides that are "under" the ruler with the measurement that fits the square. In this example, it is 2.5 inches.

What ever is left over outside the ruler will be trimmed away with your rotary blade.

flying geese quilt block

Perfect half square triangle measure and trimmed at 2.5 inches!

flying geese quilt block

I will be doing a whole post just on the different methods to make half square triangle, so stay tuned.

flying geese quilt block


Happy sewing,
~Karen~

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14 comments:

  1. Karen, thank you very much! I began to understand how blocks are sewn! I am more and more like kviltting! You are my first teacher!

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  2. Excellent tutorial! and I love the bonus square!

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  3. Well presented tutorial with such detailed step by step pictures.

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  4. Great tutorial! So glad I stopped bt.

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  5. BEAUTIFUL FABRIC+BEAUTIFUL PIECING TOO!

    msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

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  6. Excellent! This block is one of my favorites to paper piece in itty bitty size for pins. It is also called Dutchman's Puzzle.

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  7. I have just discovered your blog today and just want to say you are very talented. I have loved reading your posts. :-)

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  8. I love bonus HSTs!! Been collecting bunches in a couple shoeboxes, and one day I'm gonna have some fun with them. :)

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  9. Karen,

    Thank you so much for all the details you give on the BOM. I enjoy reading your blog as you always have such helpful information.

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  10. Hi Karen, super tutorial. Love your time saving ideas. Thanks for sharing. Blessings and smiles, Emilou :-)

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  11. Followed your tut to the tee and made my first flying geese block that actually looks right! Thanks for the great information :)

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  12. Did I miss the BOM for May? Love your blog & have used many of your great tips.

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  13. Easy to understand and follow as always, thank you you're a star :0)

    Peg xx

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  14. I have just discovered you and am really looking forward to emails. I love the easy and perfectly presented tut on flying geese so can't wait to receive more. WoW !
    Caroline in the UK.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!

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