I really feel a need to share this. It can't just be me who knows how. Flying geese are so simple to do. I read instructions for cutting off corners, or working with triangles, or expensive rulers and I just don't get it. Instead....
Add 7/8" to the finished height of the small triangle. Cut 4 squares this size.
Add 1 1/4" to the finished base of the large triangle. Cut 1.
On wrong side of small squares: Draw diagonal, then draw sewing line 1/4" from both sides. There are awesome 1/2" rulers that make this a snap.
Place 2 small squares on top of one large square across one diagonal- right sides together. Sew on marked sewing lines (both sides). Cut on diagonal, press. (I usually press to the darker fabric.) Place the remaining squares in the blank spot of the resulting pieces. Sew on the sewing lines. Cut again on the diagonal.
You now have 4 completed geese, no waste, and accuracy beyond belief.
A few examples:
For a 2" x 4" goose - cut 4 @2 7/8, cut 1@ 5 1/4. Makes 4.
For a 2 1/2 x 5 goose - cut 4 @ 3 5/8, cut 1 @ 6 3/4. Makes 4
This is really simple math. Anyone can do it. No waste is a fabulous thing.
Try it. I hope you love it as much as I do.

i bookmarked this! Thanks for sharing.

So did I- thanks so much!!

I use the one seam method for making all flying geese blocks and it's super simple but makes only one at a time. Do you mind if I use your method for a demo at my guild?

I don't mind at all. Like I said - I felt a need to share this. It's super easy!

thanks

Ayiyi!
I just read through my careful directions. When you add 1 1/4" to the size of the base of the large triangle - cut a SQUARE that size. Most of you saw that error but I don't want to mess anyone up. 5 squares = 4 geese. Couldn't be simpler - unless the directions aren't clear enough.
Make a note...

can you do a tutorial on this and put in the tutorial section here on the board, thanks

Thank you.

Thanks...I bought the fancy ruler and got great results, but the total amount of waste was way too much...and I was just making a baby quilt. Can't wait to try your method.

Okay I cut my squares and have them marked. I'm lost to how to place them on the bigger square. Please if possible post some pictures.

Thankyou!

I'm saving this post!! Thanks!

Center the smaller square exactly in the middle of the larger one!!

Do you know how to do curved flying geese?

My daughter is going to lend me her camera - Avast is giving me trouble posting pictures to the site but... Try this.
Place the large square right side up - square to you. Place on small square in the northwest corner and one in the southeast corner. They will overlap a little in the middle and your drawn lines should line up over the diagonal of the large square. After you have them cut and pressed, place one small square on each of the halves over the remaining "empty" square (from unused corner to center of sky pieces. Your lines go from center of skies to the unused corner. Sew marked lines - cut on diagonal. Press again. You're done! Whew! I hope that works for you.

Thanks for trying basketlady - but that isn't going to work.

No - but if you do maybe you can share!

Sorry, but I cannot figure it out. I have put the squares everywhere on the big square and I get nothing that looks like a flying geese. LOL. It's me, not your instructions. I am a visual learner, words wont' convert in my mind.

It won't begin to look like flying geese for awhile. Trust me here. Just follow what I wrote. You will be amazed! Remember that the large square is the sky fabric. You;re making 4 at a time. You've already cut and marked the fabric. Leap of faith time. Just do it!

I've tried this method and it works really well. Maybe a few pictures
will help. Try here:
http://www.patchpieces.com/files/flyinggeese.pdf

Thank you so much - others thank you too. This is exactly it BellaBoo. Good luck to all who try it. And you won't need luck - it WORKS!

Thanks so much for the visual.
I was reading 'Place 2 small squares on top of one large square across one diagonal- right sides together' as the two squares were right sides together when placed on the large square. Now I see it is put one square in the corner of the large square and one in the opposite diagonal corner. This will make a good demo for my 15 min. slot at guild meeting.

Thanks this worked great.

Would love to know how to make curved flying geese... please....