I am making a star quilt using flying geese... I was looking for an easy way to construct the geese and came across this blog
http://blockaday.com/making-your-geese-fly

well, I need 2X3 1/2" width for sky and 2x2" length for the geese to finish 2x3 1/2"

I tried this technique adding 1 1/4 " to the 3 1/2 to = 4 3/4
and 7/8 to 2 to = 2 7/8... it is a great technique, but my geese ended up 1/2 " bigger all the way around, with 1/2" at point instead of 1/4.

Can anyone tell me what I did wrong??? I am pretty frustrated at this point. Thanks. Quilter 1234

Part of the problem might be the size you want your finished geese. Usually the width of the finished piece is twice the hight. 2 x 4 would be more common. With the more common size your squares would be 5 1/4 and 2 7/8. To use this size geese the rest of the block pieces would be 4 1/2 (finished at four) inches for the center and 2 1/2 (finished at two) for the corner squares. The block will be 8 1/2 inches and finish at 8 inches. Using this small size change will save you a lot of headaches. If you must keep the original size I would say don't use any shortcut method and just do them the old fashioned way.

Quiter those directions seem confusing to me..if you want flying geese that are 2" x 3 1/2" start with a rectangle that size. Then cut 2" squares draw a line diagonally across it from corner to corner. Lay it on the corner of the left side of the rectangle. Stitch on the diagonal line from the top center of the rectangle to the bottom corner. cut the excess off leaving a 1/4" seam press it upward. Then do the same for the other side. I find that easier than the other way..othewise you can buy some "thangles" to make them with. It is like paper piecing them Good luck
Happy Stitchin' Linda B.
Check out this method its a good tutorial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y

Try one with your squares at 2 5/8 inches on scrap fabric and see if that works. I tried one with your measurements and same thing. Then I tried 2 1/2 squares and it's just a bit too short for the 1/4 in seam. Trial and error is the only way I can do it. Otherwise, try one the old way and see if you can figure it out from there.

thanks... I will try it that way... just wondering why it doesn't work with their calculations... will keep working on it... you are all the best . Thanks for taking the time to help me. Quilter 1234

thanks... I will try it that way... just wondering why it doesn't work with their calculations... will keep working on it... you are all the best . Thanks for taking the time to help me. Quilter 1234

Dear Kat , I think you are right, I will change my measurements all the way around... easier cutting. Thanks again, quilter 1234

The problem is probably the measurements you are wanting your unit to be...Kat sews is correct, the width of unit is twice the height for this math formula to work. You may be able to do a sort of foundation piecing to make the units you want.
I love the method shown in the video and use it for flying geese all the time.
Hope you can find a way to make your project!

got a block done with Kat's directions.. Thought you might like to see. Thanks everyone for your help. Quilter 1234

Is your pattern in a book or magazine? or is it your own design? Atkinson Designs does have a star pattern where the points are further than 1/4 from the edge, and I was wondering if it is one of hers. Your star looks great.