when i use a ruler for FG, i use the wrights ez rulers. they're much less expensive; good for just about everything; you don't need to buy special sizes; and they are super easy to use.

you've convinced me. no template needed.

I love Eleanor Burns way and have all her rulers. If there is a simple way to do things she finds it. Mainly they always turn out perfect. Cutting out just two squares for 4 geese is so easy.
I also love the triangle square up ruler, it saves so much time.

the thing that concerns me is that her rulers make only certain sizes. does anyone find that they need other sizes, either for geese or for star points?

when you read a pattern, they give you instructions for their own method. i have always followed that method, except where i made up my own pattern. i'm not sure that the methods are interchangeable. i have a lot of trouble with math so i don't know if i'd be able to change the instructions to accomodate a different, more efficient method and still come up with the right size. if they tell me to start with a rectangle and put little squares in the corners and stitch on the diagonal, then cut away the waste, can i change that to the 3-triangle or no-waste (for example) method and still come out with the same size? how do i transpose the measurements?

Thanks for the links!

All three ways listed here are great. The one seam by Timms, and Eleanor Burns way looks so easy. I hate Flying Geese, but may begin to like them with these methods. Thanks for posting.

She has a formula to use for all sizes. Here is a sample. For the 3 in by 6 inch geese. Take the 6 in and add 1 1/2 in for the points square then add another 1 1/2 in for the larger backgrd square. Your points are a 7 1/2 in square and the background is a 9 inch square. It makes 4 geese.
This formula is for all sizes. Just use the length of the goose you want and add 1 1/2 in. You dont have to use her rulers but you do need to know how to sew the squares.
To see her video go to the http://quiltinaday.com
and click on the television and video button.

Quilter's Cache has a good method too. Her patterns list the geese and square in a square blocks just using squares or rectangles and squares.

I start with a rectangle and put squares on the two sides. I sew corner to corner and a scant 1/2" away I sew again. I cut between the seams and I have one flying geese unit and 2 Half Square Triangle blocks to be used in a scrap quilt somewhere. That way, it wastes no fabric and I don't have scary biases everywhere.

A girlfriend who makes some of the most intricate pieced tops uses the original link with 5 squares and you end up with 4 geese units. She loves that way. I personally haven't tried it yet, but I've not seen the link with instructions either. I sure saved it.

this is the same method Jo Morton uses and they turn out great

I have the EB Large and Small Rulers and they are good. I recently saw a demo on the Wing Clippers or Wing Trimmer by Deb Tucker. They seem to be even better than EB's. My quilting neighbor ordered them recently and said that she liked them. I also saw them at the local quilt shops now. FYI