Thread: How do you press your flying geese blocks?

I am making the Snow Geese pattern:
http://www.fonsandporter.com/article...ng_geese_quilt

using the new Accuquilt Go die for 3"x6" finished flying geese (correct size for the pattern).

The pattern says to press the seams open, but my machine tries to "eat" the beginning of every seam. It doesn't usually do that, but there's something about the angle of the feed it doesn't like about these pieces. This makes me leery of pressing seams open, as the seams aren't entirely uniform.

For this pattern, would you recommend pressing seams towards the small triangles or towards the center? Or should I try pressing them open as the pattern suggests? I haven't made flying geese blocks before.

I would still press open - then again, I generally do anyhow. Are you using a leader when starting your piecing? Are you chain piecing? Machine still eating the edge doing either of those?

I usually press my flying geese seams outward since that is the way they want to go. In the picture, they are recommending pressing them open so that the dark seam allowance doesn't shadow on the white. If you are not using a white background with dark geese, press them how you want.

I think I will try pressing them open and see what happens.

NJ, I am chain piecing. Now I am using a leader in-between each section to minimize the "eating". Never had this problem before with my old Bernina, even with other triangles. There is just something about the angles that my machine doesn't like. I would switch to a single-hole throat plate, but I have to move the needle to the right to get my scant 1/4" seam. I do think part of the problem is the zigzag throat plate.

Have you tried a new sharp needle? I think that sometimes if the needle is even a little dull, it pushed the fabric instead of piercing it.

Originally Posted by krafty14

Have you tried a new sharp needle? I think that sometimes if the needle is even a little dull, it pushed the fabric instead of piercing it.

krafty, you are a GENIUS!!! I changed to a new needle and the machine is no longer eating my triangles. This is making my piecing SO much more enjoyable. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!