Is there a way to figure the size square you need for the rectangle you are using? say the rectangle is 2x5. I know one side of smaller piece would be 2, what about the other side. Sorry, know this is kinda stupid question, but I am very math challenged. I want to place a row of flying geese along side a block and I can figure the size of rectangles I need to make it as long as the block but the other part is eluding me, especially when rectangle is not in exact inches.

i am totally dependent on my flying geese ruler, so when a mathy person responds I'll bookmark that answer!!

I'm going to write it in BIG letters and post on my bulletin board. Maybe I need to buy one of those rulers.

sorry I don't know either. I use HSTs instead. 2 half square triangles works and is easier to do as far as I am concerned.

Try this method. She tells you how to get the size you want with no wasting fabric. I will keep looking the original way ..putting a square on two corners, sewing the diagonal and trimming to see if I can find one that shows how to calculate size too...

http://www.patchpieces.com/files/flyinggeese.pdf

also, if you read what she wrote at the top of that tutorial, she says:'just remember that the width of the finished unit is twice the height'

And I found a site that makes them the traditional way. Altho I do 'square in the top two corners, sew on the diagonal, trim 1/4 inch and press' method too.

http://www.guidelines4quilting.com/H...locks/FG1.html

and ONE more link! I think I'm done now...lolol

http://www.quilterscache.com/H/Howtomakegeese.html

This link has all THREE methods in one place...and you can make the size you want.

Your rectangle needs to be half as wide as it is long. So you need a rectangle either 2x4 or 2.5x5. Your squares would be the same size as the width of the rectangle - 2x2 or 2.5x2.5.

Thank you all so much. I want to use the continuous flying geese method I just saw video tutorial for that someone posted tonight. Seemed like it would be easy but wanted to make them the size I wanted.

http://www.connectingthreads.com/tut...tars__D12.html

You have to cut each cross piece 1/4" bigger than to the center. Most of the time the size is based on a starting square. It makes the marking on the diagonal easier.

Thanks much-I bookmarked that link for further use!

Thanks..

I made over 150 this way - it was great!

oh my, never knew this was so simple, silly me, I've been dependent on my special ruler for this!!

But in ontheriver's example, she's not using a standard FG where the length is double the width.

If the FINISHED FG were to be 2.5" x 5", then the two squares would be cut 3", and the starting rectangle would be 3" x 5.5" (addition of the seam allowances).

You always add 1/2" to the FINISHED width of the FG to get the size of the squares (or just use the width of the rectangle - IF it's a 2:1 ratio).

In ontheriver's case, her starting rectangle is 2" x 5" so her FINISHED FG will be 1.5" x 4.5". She wants/needs a specific size for her project.

So she needs 2 rectangles for the background, but rectangles don't work up the same way as the squares.

If you try to place it, sew on the diagonal and fold it back like you do with a square, it won't work.

Try it with a small piece of paper.

The measurements for those background rectangles would be 2" x 2.75" (I'm pretty sure - it's early), but they get placed at a weird angle before they're sewn on to the starting rectangle.

And my scanner and camera aren't cooperating right now so I can't show you. I'll see if I can find a picture somewhere.

this is an excellent resource... i've bookmarked it AND saved the file. hopefully i can find it, then, when i need it.

As usual, I forgot that Quilters Cache is the 1st place I should look! I guess I didnt' realize that she had basic piecing tutorials. I will send my beginner friends there from now on!