Help with flying geese - AGAIN. I am so dense :)
 

I am attempting (miserably) to conquer flying geese. The pattern says to cut 1 1/2 inch squares and put them on the corners of a 1 1/2 x 2 5/8 rectangle. Sew diagonally. Anyway, long story short, where the two squares cross at the top, that ends up being the pointy part of the flying geese. Problem - I never end up with 1/4 inch at the top of my point. How can I sew a 1/4 inch seam to add it to another piece of material if I don't have 1/4 there. My points are always cut off. My seams are a true quarter inch, so I can't figure out what the problem is. Now that I've explained it as clear as mud, can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks for your time.

I understand! For me, I put the FG piece on top of the other piece to sew and make sure my seam goes through the "intersection" a few threads into the SA even if its a 1/16" off the 1/4". You can "fudge" some other place but your points will be really nice! Play with one and see what works, don't drive yourself nuts trying to get it perfect.
:o

I have never been able to do it correctly all these years.

You need to sew just to the right of the center of the line you mark. That allows for the amount of fabric the thread and fold takes up.

From what I have read (I have not attempted myself yet...) your seams should be a scant 1/4"

Your squares are a little small. They need to be half the width of the rectangle plus 1/4" each. Your rectangles is 2.625" wide. 2.625/2= 1.31+.25=1.56". So if you stay with these measurements, you need to cut the squares closer to 1.6" rather than the current 1.5. Not very easy to do with our rulers. You wouldn't think 4/10 of an inch would make that much difference, but apparently it does. I'd use 1 3/4" by 3" for the rectangle and 1 3/4 by 1 3/4 for the squares, then trim them to the needed size.
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...geese_ss1.html

Once you get these figured out, it will be easy. I know I lost a day with my FG trying to find a method and a size I liked.

If you paper piece them you don't have to worry about seam allowances. Ever. I use Triangulations software, print them out and poof, they're perfect every time.

when joining your 'geese' put the one on top that you will be stitching though the point---wrong side up- place a pin straight through the point-into the bottom piece- then when you stitch your seam sew just to the (outside) of the point- where the pin is (remove the pin when you get to it- don't run over it- but you will be able to see the tip of your point and not cut it off this way- if you add each one in this way you will have all of your 'goose points'

Thanks so much :)

try another style...i never make them like this...i sew two HSTs and sew together... much easier and i have color choices if i want... the 'geese' nor the 'sky' has to be the same color... and they are much faster...

Quilt In A Day rulers for flying geese are worth the cost to make 4 perfect flying geese at a time. I have collected all sizes and use them alot. Each ruler is for 2 size geese.

the best flying geese method ive found is the ricky tims version go to utube and check it out there is minimal triming involved to square it up and its so easy i couldnt even mess it up which is really saying something lol. the best thing is you can watch it as many times as you need to get it down. lol ive got a flying geese quilt on my bucket list now ive always wanted to make one but just never could master the flying geese and as frustrated as i used to get over them
i figured it would never happen. but now it can.
carla m

Get Eleanor Burns flying geese ruler and her directions. Quilt in a Day. The best ever. They always are a bit bigger and you trim down. Perfect every time.

I agree with Rose

If you like to use templates get Eleanor Burns flying geese templates. They come is a few different sizes and they work perfect every time.

Check out Eleanor Burns videos. I watched her program the other night and she had a very slick way of doing FG.

Thanks everyone!

If you Google "flying geese" and "Ricky Tims" with YouTube, you will see a great way to make flying geese. I have hated flying geese, but I have made hundreds in just a couple of day using his fast method. You make them with one seam and it is like magic.

Thanks Lynda! Can't wait to try Ricky's method.