Question about flying geese
 

I,m trying to make flying geese. I,m using the "Quilt in a day Ruler" and eveything is going fine until I sew them together. If I use a quarter inch seam, it cuts off the point. If I go less, it is ok.
Should this be happening?
Thanks for your input.
Elaine

You have to remember that the point will be in 1/4 of an inch from the bottom edge. This allows you to have really nice points when you put on a border or the next block. I know it looks funky, but it really does work. Also the triangle in a square does the same thing, only it looks funkier....

Where in western NY are you? I grew up near Ithaca/Cortland/Auburn--equal distance from all 3 places...

Make sure that dashed line is above the point when trimming your geese.

I always use a scant 1/4" seam -- but if you haven't you should measure from your needle to the mark you are using for 1/4" (or the edge of the foot). 2 of my 3 machines need to have the needle moved to the right to get an accurate 1/4" seam.
I was at a quilting class about a month ago and we had someone who was consistently off. Come to find out she was was not consistenly cutting on the same side of the ruler line for each piece.

I've never used that ruler but I will say I just made the most perfect flying geese in my life! I don't know how it happened. I'm not looking any gifthorses in the mouth, though. I cut my rectangle and squares to the appropriate sizes, sew on the lines like always and for some strange reason all 10 that I needed for my LQS BOM came out PERFECT! Probably will never happen again in my lifetime!

If you use the ruler and cut where it says you will get a perfect 1/4 in. Check your sewing line is it to wide?
The ruler has the ^ shape to line up on your goose and the cutting line is 1/4 inch above the ^ shape.

If you sign up with "Quilt with Us" on ConnectingThreads, there is a group lesson going on how to make Perfect Points - these include flying geese, square in a square, half-square triangles.

I live outside Buffalo.

I don't use a special ruler for flying geese. I use the no-waste flying geese method.

I don't like flying geese. I get them wrong all the time. I finally had to do the one where you make one seam. It works great but then I have to sew down the middle section on each goose. Lots of extra work. But it's the only thing that works for me. I haven't tried the method you are trying. I love stars so much that I would love a fool proof method of making flying geese. I've asked this question about how to make them without losing your points. And the 1 seam method was the one that worked.

I also hate flying geese, but I keep making quilts that involve them. Even when I do get the points "perfect," the seams are bulky to get to lay flat and SID quilting gets wonky. I've decided if the fabric is interesting enough, no one will look too closely at the points!

Check out this link. I haven't tried it yet but it looks fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y

I paperpiece the flying geese. And to keep them all "Pointy", before I start I decide how long the piece needs to be, use my copier to make multiple copies, tape them together and GO GO GO. You can use a word processing program to print and size the geese to the dimensions you want. Just use the draw / symbol feature, select triangles, make them the desired size. Then copy and paste them on top of each other, until you have exactly what you want.

This advice looks right. I used the rulers a few years back and it was wonderful, as all the points were "just right." Good luck. Did the rulers come with a set of directions? Sometimes I have to reread directions several times before I "get it."

If you go on the 'Quilt in a Day' website, they show how to properly use the ruler. As was suggested earlier, put the dotted line (seam line marker) right on top of your stitching line. This allows for the thread loss when you press the piece open. One other thing that can make the piece a thread smaller is the thread you are using. This is why, by placing the ruler sitting on your stitching line, you should come out with a block that is the correct size.
Charlie

Missouri Star Quilt Company has a great video on YouTube showing how to use the "Quilt In A Day" Rulers.

HoneysMom ~ You are so right Jenny at Missouri Star Quilt Company demonstrates the flying geese Quilt-in-a-Day ruler so wonderfully! MSQ tutorials are addictive! :0) Here's a quick link to the flying geese Eleanor Burns way...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKfM3...SgJbHoFIruY%3D

Thank you for the "Quilt With Us" reference, I hadn't found that, great instructions.

Marysewfun

Go to Eleanor Burn's website...she has a video that shows you how to use her rulers...

Have you tried the No-Waste Flying Geese pattern?
I have found it to be really accurate and easy.
I got the pattern from McCalls quilting.

Try the wing clipper by Deb Tucker. Works great and makes 4 at a time. Tutorial on her website.