I have problems sewing flying geese. No matter what method I use they almost always come out weird. Either the top edge is uneven or the seam allowance is too narrow at the point. The 4-geese-at-once method sometimes comes close -accidentally. Is it a 1/4" problem? My other blocks are OK.

Yes, or trying sewing them with a scant 1/4" :D:D:D

When you are piecing, and you add the small triangles to the big ones? Make sure that the little ends that hang over are even on both sides.
They make a tool that you can use to cut those little ears off. Then you can just line them up evenly and consistently every time.
It is called a triangle trimmer, I have the ones made by Fons and Porter.
Or, you can paper piece them like I usually do LOL

It might be a "stretching" problem. If you are using triangles to make your geese, they are far more unstable and tend to shift as you sew. There are a few different methods out there that use a rectangle base and two squares in the corners so you don't have to mess with triangles. My beginner students find this method to be the easiest for accuracy. Go to http://www.allpeoplequilt.com for patterns that use this method. Hope this helps.

Thank you , Amma. You are right, my needle was moved for scant 1/4. I do PP a lot, for geese this time it's the final resort as I need over 2 x 180 of those . I must be out of my mind-

I've heard good things about the flying geese ruler. Maybe it's Eleanor Burns brand? I have both sizes but have yet to try them. I did the 4 at a time method and while it was quick and easy, it was not accurate for me.

Here's another idea. It does make extra bulk though since it's extra layers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y
one seam flying geese

I have used the Eleanor Burns ruler and it works well for me. It does only make specific sizes though.

I do not have a problem if I use a rectangle and squares. Pencil diagonal line on square and sew to ends. Be careful to "press" and not iron to avoid stretching. Acuarate cutting and sewing are still the best solution for any problem.

I had to buy the fons and porter flying geese ruler. It was worth the money.

Same here. I have both sizes ofthe EB rulers for FG...but haven't used them. Some ppl like the Fons & Porter FG rulers.Haven't seen them.Most Joanns carry both brands.You could also try Missouri Trading or Utube for a video to help out.

I have several different kinds of flying geese paper piecing sets, but have not figured out how to use most of them. I am hoping to find someone in a class to help me, or womeone from the guild. I have triangles on a roll, and am wondering if they have geese on a roll. I like the roll things, as they are measured down to the tiniest little decimal point. they are much more accurate than I am on my own.

http:/www.trianglesonaroll.com has the geese on a roll. They may have several sizes. I do like this product as I am not a good quarter incher. I shake one direction, and the geese shake the other. The roll keeps me closer to a qtr inch than I can get on my own. katie

Yes, 2 squares and when you sew them make the diagonal seam just a couple of thread closer to the corner. Extra little bit allows the point of the square to align with the base better. I don't trim off the base rectangle until I've pressed well or even leave it on for stability. I'm always pleased and proud of my geese! Think I may do a tute.

I use the Eleanor Burns ruler and they come out perfect if you keep that scant 1/4 "

If you are coming close with the four at a time method - I would stick with it. It's the only way I do flying geese - even when they are just variable star points. Everywhere I can find them! Obviously - my preference!

Have you considered the no waste flying geese method. I haven't had any trouble using this.

I just posted "Flying Geese..." tutorial in the tutes section. Don't see the second part! Hope it helps.

If I want them to be right I paper piece them. No matter what size. This has ended my frustration.

I needed to make tons of little teeny tiny ones, so I PP'd them. One of my better decisions. Thats how I make all mine now...or you could use the Ricky Timms method- thats really easy too.

I went and did this method and was I surprised!! It went together so easy. I have never been able to do them before and have them come out right.

I had to make lots of small ones and I came across how to make the one seam method. It is so easy! Love it. There is also, I think on this forum, a chart to convert sizes. Do a search for the one seam method. If you will try this I think you will like it.

Or you can buy Eleanor Burns Flying Geese Ruler, It rocks!! They come out perfect Every Time!! They come in Mini, regular and large.

I second this...I have tried several different ways but I always come back to this....Eleanor is the best. Go to the quilt in a day site and check out her video on how to make the geese. Having her rulers help but I have seen her do it with just a square ruler. After making about an eleven million of them I can make them any size. Just remember on square needs to be an inch and a half larger than the other....check it out you will be a flying geese addict in no time. And see if you can find an old book "all the blocks are geese". It features quilts made just from flying geese blocks.

OHHHH...YES. Eleanor Burns flying geese rulers are the way to go. I bought them after having a disaster with my Christmas quilt from last year. My flying geese made it a disaster. I could not quilt it cause it was so out of wack. It is now a table cloth. I started a horse quilt in May and it has flying geese in it and I used the EB ruler and they turned out EXACT on the money. I will even send in this photo so you can see my progress so far and how I was able to get most everything to match. Now the first two rows are sewn together but the other rows to the right are not. The blocks are sewn in verticle rows only. I am fixing to sew it all together this week. I have one more row to go along the bottom then will do my borders. But you see how the rulers really helped me.

Thanks this may help me as my flying geese never want to "fly"

try this--- ex: cut 12 1/2x61/2 rectangle. cut 2 61/2 " squares. draw diag. line across sqs. place one on rec. sew from center of rec to bottom corner of sq. following line. trim excess.press open. now place 2nd sq. on other side. do same. you will have perfect flying geese unit. works with any size you need.

Hevemi, If you haven't tried the square in a square ruler you are missing out. You will never have to sew triangles together again and you get perfect points. Go to www.squareinasquare.com. Jody Barrows is the creator of this ruler and you will save so much time you won't believe it. I cannot find this ruler in any store but you can order it through her site. If you order the DVD that is all you will need besides the ruler. Believe me, my points never met until I purchased this ruler. Now they do. You will be amazed. Good luck. Rose

Jlong - love the quilt. Very nice job.

Thank you very much!!

I saw this on Saturday on Porter and Fons. they put the first block on and pressed(finger) the seam towards the outer edge. they put the next square on but sewed so that they could see the seam allowance of the first square. thus making sure that they crossed the seam at the right place. made good sense to me. Jan

You say you have used lots of methods. I like the method that Joan Hawley uses on Kaye Wood's show. However, the Eleanor Burns method of making the piece and then squaring it off with her tool sounds like the one that might work for you?

Here is a great tutorial for making flying geese that I got in a quilting class a couple of years ago. Hope it helps.

Deb Tucker's ruler is the best. Always works out, no waste and versatile. Well worth the prchase.

I just used this method and it is fast and easy, but you have to really have to focus when you do them.

Jlong what a beautiful quilt and the colors are awesome....well done.
flying geese are not my favourite subject either lol.

Beautiful quilt, JLONG!! Yep, I used my EB rulers too. Definately my choice when doing Flying Geese.

Oh, what a happy quilt.

The only way I get decent flying geese is to make a square in a square (using the square in a square ruler) and cutting it in half!

Well said!

To Farm Quilter, Don't you just love the square in a square ruler. A lot of people haven't heard of this ruler or used it. I found it when I went on the shop hop last year in NC. The quilt store in Morgantown, NC was demonstrating it. I bought both sizes but I like the small one the best. I gave my other one to my sister-in-law in Ohio. She couldn't find one up there anywhere. She loves it!! Happy quilting, Rose

Rose,

I do love my Square in a Square ruler. I had to order mine online - could not find it any where. I didn't know there were 2 sizes!!! What size is yours?