I need to make this block, and know there must be a way to reduce the amount of triangles needed. Does anyone know a way to do this?

http://www.quiltinaday.com/freepattern/
click on the one that say homestead...that may give you a few good ideas.

http://www.patchpieces.com/files/flyinggeese.pdf
This is a no waste method for flying geese. If you are able to use it, you won't have to cut any triangles for the 12 flying geese in your block.
There appears to be a total of 8 triangles in the N, W, S, and E positions on your block. You can combine them to make 4 triangles. If you do your math right, you could cut squares and simply cut them in half (I think you'll add 7/8" to the finished size).
The middle four triangles can be cut as a square.
If you do this, you'll only need to cut the 4 triangles in the corners. You could cut them as squares and cut the diagonal like described above.
When it comes to piecing, you will take the N Triangle, piece it to the NE Flying Geese section, and that to the E Triangle.
Then, Take a flying geese unit and piece it to the center square. On the other side of the square, put another flying geese unit.
Next, piece the last flying geese unit between the W and S triangles.
Last, stitch these three units together. It'll be like piecing on point.
Did I confuse you?

This is what I came up with :D:D:D

You can do it the way shown above and have less triangles but it would appear that you will be doing the Y seams that some dread so much?

You can do a 3D goose with no triangles at all and only one seam. It uses a lot more fabric but it sure is easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y&NR=1
Go to this site and Ricky Tims will teach you how to do it.
Here's one I did with this method

My vote is no waste flyine geese. Do it all the time..fast. Four blocks out of two fabs!!

Actually, that makes sense. I also used the Eleanor Burns flying geese video..will give it a try this week. Thanks!

Thanks for the info everyone. Big help

Have you tried the snowball method? Or even paper-piecing the flying geese? You wouldn't have to even cut a triangle for that block (except for corners).



@raptureready,

Brights and B&W - how could it not be fabulous!

I love your layout. I think that just became my new go-to baby quilt. :thumbup:

Was it a pattern?

What aboutnmaking it paper pieced?

Awesome!

I would go with the no waste flying geese as well

no Y seam... you start with the square in the corner, add the two green triangles to each side and then work your way to the center block. Then do the next section starting with the square and working inwards, and sew this section to the center block.

The two side pieces are sewn separately the same way, and then add the large triangles to them. Sew these 3 separate pieces together.

Basically you are piecing it in thirds :wink:

You could cheat and use a solid white material, then sew the green triangles onto it.

Try this site for One Seam Flying Geese:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y&NR=1

Here's another. 3 squares make 2 flying geese with cutting chart for different sizes.

http://members.shaw.ca/beverlysquiltingpage/ffg.htm

oops...sorry, 5 squares. Now going to the kitchen to get my coffee.

"If" paperpiecing this could be done without y-seams. Do in 3 sections and then sew 3 sections together which would be the bigger triangle each as one section and then the middle piece being 2 squares and section with flying geese.

My favorite way to make flying geese is to cut rectangles the size of the finished flying geese piece and 2 squares equal to the width of the rectangle. Place a square at each end of the rectangle and sew across the diagonal of the square. Trim to a 1/4 in. seam allowance and press as usual. I'm more accurate this way than cutting a bunch of triangles and don't feel I waste that much fabric. If you piece the block on the diagonal you can use a square in the middle and larger triangles on the sides instead of two.

How about 1/2 square triangles for the geese?

Very beautiful b/w and multicolor quilt!

Dana

I would paper piece and not have any bias edges to be concerned with matching, stretching, etc. Quilter's Cache has wonderful free patterns and I've used several of her patterns.

Try making the flying geese the way Billie Lauder shows in her Quick Quilt Tricks book. It is method #2 in the book using squares.

My suggestion as well.

If you start with the outside squares, then do the Geese, then add the large triangles to two geese (the ones on the opposite sides) you wouldn't have any "Y" seams. I usually do paper piecing for my geese.
Susan

PS, how do some of you get your name in large letters on this blog at the bottom of your messages, Judy is one example

I love your quilt, it's so pretty and colorful!!!

I'd definitely go with Eleanor Burns's flying geese ruler. No waste; no points lost and so much easier and faster than triangles.

I like Ricky Tims way of doing the flying geese, one seam. Is that the same as the no waste one?

I would look on youtube.com and search for the one seam flying geese tutorial, It's awesome! It's with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims.

Sorry I don't but the block looks great.

no Tippy this is a great way to do it and not have the "Y" seams. Just sew the middle cross section separate from the other sides, it will look like 2 triangles with a short side of the cross, then you can sew the 2 side onto the center cross section. no "Y" seams doing it that way.

I tried Ricky Tims method also...love it. I even recalculated and made small sizes. This is such a time saver. Watch the UTube.

Thank You for sharing this site what a great comcept!!!!

I make flying geese by making a square in a square (using the square in a square ruler, makes it so easy) and cutting them in half. Eliminates the need to make triangles completely.

Is that the ruler that is almost $30? If I am off on that price, could you send a link to where we'd get one?

I will give it a try. Right now I am working on the border first. (A new thing for me). I am piecing it to make chevrons and using up my scrap box at the same time. Since it is a scrap quit--I figured it was time to stretch a little for a different kind of border. :-P

Judy,
How do you get your name on the bottom of your messages?
Is it an attached picture or something?

I am sorry I do not remember and can not find the paper that I printed off on how to. Maybe do a search, or ask the question on the Main section. I know I had gotten the information from this board to do it though.
I'll keep looking but I think it (the paper) got thrown away.
Sorry..