Flying Geese makes so much waste!
 

I am working on The Three Tours QOV. Oh my have I learned something.

I'll never make flying geese the traditional way again. At least I think it was the traditional way. Whatever you call it there is so much waste.

I drew the line on the back and sewed and then cut away.

This quilt has a gazillion too.

I like a challenge. I guess it keeps it interesting to me.

I found the "make four at a time" way AFTER cutting. So I was stuck. Then I watched a video on the Accuquilt way. Wouldn't that be nice!

SVAL

I prefer EB method because using two different sizes squares and they come out perfect every time. I had to make almost 100 geese for a quilt's border.

the method that requires you to draw lines and sew two squares to one rectangle; cut away excess; end up with one flying goose is not the traditional method.

the traditional method is to cut the goose triangle and the sky triangles so that when you sew them together there is no wasteful trimming away of excess. also no wasting time drawing lines.

the "make four at a time" method is ok if you need four (or sets of four.)
we experimented with that in class this weekend and found that it's essential to sew a precise, full quarter-inch seam in order to have the FGs come out the correct size.

i am not familiar with "EB method" so can't comment on that.

do you have a link to "the Accuquilt way?" i'm curious and couldn't find it by using google.

I also use El Burns method. She makes 4 at a time all a little oversized so you trim down and they are perfect.
You don't have to use her rulers but I do, they are worth it.
Accuquilt is too expensive just to cut out shapes.

http://www.patchpieces.com/files/flyinggeese.pdf
"No waste method"
Only a straightr ruler needed to measure squares and make a diagonal line!!

I keep coming back to EB method for all my blocks. I have her Egg Money book. I made a sampler out of it and all her methods end up with the most accurate block for me.
I've been sewing a long time, but still perfection eludes me. I don't get how I can sew a whole string of pieces and some are just right and others not so much.
Does EB have a book that has all her techniques in it? I'd like that.

If only I'd had this a week ago.

Depending on how big your geese are you could end up with a lot of bonus triangles.

I use the EB way too. A little waste but they come out perfect. Sval if your geese are big enough yow can use the trimmings for HSTs

I use the EB rulers and love that method. The geese are so accurate, and there are only little shavings of waste.

The method the OP did sounds like sewing a square to either side of a rectangle. Yes you have to trim away the excess triangles in the corners but I have found the resulting triangles that are trimmed away can be sewn together to form HST. If your finished FG measures 2" x 4" your "scrap" hst will be 1 1/2" after trimming. I have loads of patterns that use that size and am saving them up to make a scrappy quilt in one of those patterns. It is only a waste if you toss the triangles bits you cut away. But if you save them in a ziploc baggie and sew them together ala Bonnie Hunters "leaders and enders" method they will accumulate quickly. And you will have them in perfect colors for more QOV quilts.

Well, I wouldn't have thought to do that. What a brilliant idea. Maybe next time. Thanks.

I made three borders using this method. Made almost 250. Works fantastically. I made the just a bit bigger and trimmed a bit off.

Here is the finished quilt

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t247453.html

I use Accuquilt Go dies.

I love the Wing Clipper from Deb Tucker. This one ruler will make 11 different sizes - no waste method as described in other posts. The trim down cut is less than 1/8th. I met her at the AQS show in Syracuse, NY, had her sign a pattern for me and also had a pic taken!

I saw a blog post recently by Anita Grossman Solomon in which she sewed the square on with the diagonal seam then moved out 3/8" toward the corner and stiched another diagonal seam beside the first seam. Next, she cut between the two seams and had a square made from the leftover half square triangles. She saves them for other projects.
Hope that makes sense... :o

I use my Accuquilt, the only way I have been able to make good flying geese.

Which Accuquilt do you have? I have been toying with the idea of getting one. Any advice? It seems you have to make the same blocks all the time or invest in a lot of dies. And you have to use certain sizes. so what do you do to follow a pattern that calls for a different size?

It does make sense. I read that somewhere too. But after the fact. The pattern had two different size geese. So it would've made a lot of HSTs doing it that way.

I use Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper. Little waste and high in accuracy. Check out her video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7WQpzknLGg

I made a quilt that had 206 flying geese blocks. I thought I'd never get them all finished!! I tried all kinds of methods to find a way to make accurate blocks. I love the Eleanor Burns method. After I found that procedure I loved making the blocks - 4 at a time - and cominhg out perfect every time. Life was much simpler and I was a happier quilter :-)

PatriceJ. The accuquilt way is using dies to cut the pieces.......

Wow, Kitsie! This is amazing. I'd like to try that one. I don't like wasting those little triangles. I know I can collect them and sew them together to make HSTs but I don't like sewing on tiny pieces.

I'm with you!

I make a lot of scrap quilts and sometimes use Bonnie Hunter's method for flying geese. Before trimming away the excess fabric on the corners you stitch another line and then cut...and get a bonus half square triangle. I made an entire quilt border with the last batch. I just got the Eleanor Burn's flying geese ruler and will try her method next time.

With the Eleanor Burns method, there is still quite a bit of waste. I use the "No Waste" method. It is so easy. You get used to the look of the strange pieces while they are being made, but making four at a time, it sure is a good way to go. Watch Deb Tuckers video to see how to do it. You can use her ruler if you like, but any ruler will do. Just be sure your diagonal line on the ruler is on the diagonal seam before you trim.

I'm glad someone brought this up. We have been making lots of flying geese, usually at least four per block, in our block of the month quilt. The rectangle and two squares method was new to me, but leaves such small triangles as waste, that I trembled every time I cut that fabric away. I started quilting 150 years ago when every piece was traced and cut with scissors! I suppose that had plenty of waste, too.

Thanks for this wonderful link!

I use the EZ angle ruler for the wings and the EZ companion ruler for the geese. Perfect every time.

This is the way I make them also. Love it

thank you for the link. When I loaded it, I discovered that this is the way I was taught to make them. LOL.

Thanks for the great info. Going to try the No Waste method.

Yep, I've tried all kinds of ways to make flying geese and, for me, Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper ruler makes the most accurate ones with the least waste. Watch her video for extra tips. The instructions that come with the ruler are also excellent.

there doesn't have to be any waste, what you trim off in the method you use, run them through the machine when you are trimming and shortly you have a box of 1/2 square triangles to use in the border or in a different quilt.

I have the dies for different sizes of flying geese and so far the sizes are the most common size needed for the one I need. I don't invest in the dies, I buy one when I want one. If you aren't comfortable buying dies and mats then a die cut machine will not be for you.

What is the EB method? I use the one in the video above and they come out perfect every time with very little trimming.

Which Accuquilt do you have? I like the idea of the BOBs. I'd be fine with buying dies as long as I can use them over and over again for different quilts. It's getting harder and harder to see those blasted lines on the ruler. ha

i would recommend the accuquilt go big which is electric. cost around $500
but i got to where my shoulder wouldn't take the manual turning on the non electric go machine. i now that's a lot of money but i don't eat out, smoke or drink so i figure i'm worth it. the dies i use most are the strips in 1-1/2", 2-1/2", 3" & 6". you can then sub cut strips into blocks or rectangles. oh and the hexagon die. if you applique there are dies for flowers, etc that save a lot of time too.

So no complaints about the crank one, except you got so you couldn't turn it? It's half as much money. Also, does it seem like the electric one should have an exit platform for the die to "land" on on the way out of the machine? I've watched some videos and it seems it comes out and starts to fall towards the table. Is that a problem?

I do it this way too. Absolutely NO waste.