I'm making a Flying Four Patch block and the Flying Geese part of it is coming out awful. The tips of the points keep getting cut off, the blocks are coming out crooked, and it's not ironing out right. What am I doing wrong?

I'm using a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle and then I'm trying to sew on two 2 1/2" squares. I got the measurements here:
http://www.quilterscache.com/F/Flyin...atchBlock.html
And on Page 2 you'll find the instructions on how to sew them together to make the Flying Geese.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

some random suggestions:
pin the pieces together
starch the fabric really well
don't chain piece. I rush alot when I chain piece and tend to get sloppy so take it slow
mark your sewing lines (some people just sew straight across)
recheck your measurements and try sewing the scant 1/4 inch seam.

Also, don't "iron." Just "press" and don't use steam. Steam distorts the fabric

I pressed the fabric, used my pins, marked the line and they still came out looking horrible. I give up for tonight. I might come back and look at it again tomorrow. Thanks for your help, hopetoquilt.

If you still have trouble tomorrow, post some pix and maybe that will help trigger a solution from one of us.

Good idea, will do. Thanks!

Ellenor Burns has a beautiful flying geese ruler, it comes in several sizes and makes life so much easier for those of us who need that little bit of extra help. Good luck.

Someone here on the board said that with QuiltersCache, you need a scant 1/4" seam to make the pattern come out right. That can make all the difference, good luck.

I used the Elanor Burns method and mine came out perfect. Look it up on Quiltinaday.com

I use that method and here is the order that I do it:

1. Make sure the pieces are cut correctly.
2. I draw the line across each square and stack them up.
3. I lay out the rectangles and put one square on each, making sure that they all face the same way. (Sometimes I stick a pin in the side that stays - across the bias)
4. I sew all of the squaeres on the line making sure that nothing shifts during the process.
5. I trim ONLY the triangle from the square fabric - leaving the rectangle behind it intact. That creates slightly thicker geese but it seems to create a more stable block.
6. I press the triangle back. If it is a little off, it won't matter because you have the rectangle as the perfect size.
7. Repeat steps 3-6 on the other side. Make sure to orient the square correctly. (Easy to get the geese going in the wrong direction).

See if it works for you.

Try this method
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y