A year or so ago, I did a Christmas lap size quilt with three rows of flying geese going in different directions using Ricky's method and size 8" flying geese. I too did not like the pockets, so I sewed them shut when quilting. It was a very fast way of making flying geese but it also made for very heavy quilt top. I wasn't smart enough to roll the sides down like a cathedral window to make a different design at the time. But I still have it and it holds up well. Next time I want to make one, I will use the old fashion method, takes less fabric.