Thread: Why do I struggle so much with Flying Geese?

I have taken so much time cutting, measuring, sewing....ripping, measuring, trimming, sewing.....and on and on. For some reason, I just have problems with these triangles altogether. Either they don't fit with the blocks I am trying to sew with them or I can't get the points right when I piece them to something else. I have one point sewn in the seam and one point not close enough to the seam.....it's my kryptonite. I have been working on the Taos Quilt Pattern for over a year. I got so frustrated with the last blocks I made and I put it away - since last May. I have pondered it over and over. I went back this past weekend, ripped all the piecing out, re-measured, cut and tried again - a few times. Finally, I got them to a point that I guess they will have to do. I have watched videos and tried different methods. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Originally Posted by Tartan

If I need Flying Geese, I always use the method where I use a rectangle and place squares on each end of the rectangle. I sew the diagonal on one square and flip out the fabric (trim the extra away on the corner) and then do the other side in the same way.

This is the same process I use and have never had any problems. I think sometimes we create our own kryptonite because we expect to have problems. I realize several have issues with Flying Geese and HST's due to the bias, but once I learned to cut slightly larger squares for HST's and trim them to the size needed after stitching and pressing -- I haven't had any issues. Squares are a lot easier to cut then triangles and I sew the smaller pieces removed into squares for scrap quilts later.

This pattern relies heavily on the Easy Angle, Tri Recs and Companion rulers. I think this may be part of my problem. I thought these would make it easier. I am feeling quite incompetent.

The tri recs ruler makes a triangle in a square patch, not a flying geese unit. You can cut the triangles with the easy angle ruler, but I think you will have better success cutting squares, sewing then cutting off the excess.
I have pretty much given up on perfecting my flying geese. I just make 2 half square triangles. There's an extra seam, but the visual impact is the same.

Did it work well?

Originally Posted by Nammie to 7

The newest Love of Quilting magazine (March/April issue) has the formula for how to make 4 flying geese units at the same time. Flying Geese blocks are the next round in my medallion quilt so this came just at the right time.

Determine the finished size -- cut small pieces 7/8 " larger than finished height of the FG unit. Cut large square 1 1/4" larger than the finished width. (finished size 2 x 4 -- cut small squares 2 7/8" and large squares 5 1/4") Good luck with your flying geese! I'm going to try this method tomorrow!