wonky flying geese - need help
 

I am currently piecing a top with 3 flying geese units in each block before adding triangles around the FG. I am very careful to mark my little squares diagonally for the flying geese and sew very straight down the diagonal lines, etc. I press carefully after each corner is sew, the add the other corner and repeat. Nonetheless, I still do not end up with a perfect rectangle. It's always smaller than the 5 inches it's supposed to be in some part of the FG. It will be 5" in some places but not consistent through out the rectangle. Any suggestions....how do you prevent this? I'm open for all kinds of suggestions.

There are a few different techniques to try here http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilt...-flying-geese/ or perhaps look up some videos on flying geese, they might help.

Run, don't walk to your LQS and get a Wing Clipper. I was amazed at how much that helps. I have Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper and I just love it. I use it all the time, works great to trim HSTs too.

Well, AFTER I had cut out all of my flying geese pieces and started sewing them, I remembered that I had bought the Wing Clipper several years ago at a quilt show!! I found it last night and "looked" at it. Made me so mad at myself. Too late now to use it. I can't remember if I had better luck with it when I tried it or not. I'm sure I probably did!! Oh well....such is the life of a quilter.

I always use Eleanor Burns method making 4 flying Geese units out of two squares. I am sure there is a video on her website. They come out perfect every time. But if you happen to be off a bit, you can always make the correction before trimming them down.

Sew to the seam allowance side of your line and that should give you enough extra to make up for the thread thickness.

http://www.patchpieces.com/files/flyinggeese.pdf I found this method worked for me way better then the rectangle and sqs in the corners...ugh!my geese were coming out so wonky I gave up, in the future if I have a need and make flying geese more often I will consider getting the wing clipper

I will definitely try this, since I've already cut all my pieces and can't start over. I do have the Wing Clipper and will use it next time...or even the method of making 4 at one time as several have mentioned. Thanks everyone!

Starch your fabric very well before cutting. This has helped me alot. I used to never starch and now, well, I can't live without it.

I love Ricky Tims' One Seam Flying Geese - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Mu0C_QL8Y EASY!!!

I also starch, and do not use steam when pressing them open.

I sometimes only trim the back piece of the triangle and leave the backing piece intact. Then I don't have to worry about the triangular piece when sewing the geese together because I can focus on the backing piece.

I was admiring a fabulous quilt top at a local quilt shop; I looked at the back to look at the seams and I discovered that the shop owner had not trimmed her blocks she used for her flying geese. I commented that was interesting, all of her flying geese were perfect. She told me maybe she shouldn't have hung the top because "professional" quilters would say she is all wrong by not trimming the blocks but she has tried everything and that is the only way she can make perfect geese. The small untrimmed blocks really didn't add bulk - much like having a bigger than 1/4" seam. She figured keeping the block whole didn't stretch the fabric on the bias. Just a thought!

If you are sewing on the diagonal line, that is the problem. Sew just beside the line towards the corner to give you the necessary fabric to make the fold.

Yep, this is a great way to have them come out "poifect." (perfect)

awe now I'm gonna have to go on a flying geese kick and see which way works best for me. I don't have a wing clipper and no money to buy one but I'm going to make tomorrow a geese day. I too have a history of the geese not being a rectangle when I am done. discouraging to say the least

Also a fan of Eleanor Burns geese rulers.

If you Google "Dutchman's Puzzle" the video has a really good demo for flying geese. I've added to my favorites. It is a YouTube. You can also just google "flying geese" Dutchman's is best and least waste.

The "Dutchman's Puzzle video of the flyin geese does not need an EB ruler. Money saved.

DITTO!!! It cured my errant geese like a charm!

This is the first time I've seen this way and I love it. I've been doing the E. Burns ruler type and they do turn out quite nice although the sizing is limited to the size ruler you have. With the R Tims style, you could also roll the middle back like a cathedral window type quilt. Of course, once on youtube I had to investigate the other methods and found another one where you end up with a row of geese rather than single geese. Pretty cool, although the video nearly put me to sleep!

Fabulous site. I had not used it before. Thank you for introducing me to more ways to spend my money.

I am very bad at making flying geese. Can't help, but you have my complete sympathy.

Last week I just got done making 120 flying geese for the border on a quilt, 40 on each side. And they all are perfect --- I was so proud, especially since my ordinary square pieced blocks seem to always be different sizes. I did them via paper piecing Whenever I do a quilt with points, this is the only way for me to do them, and I love it. You can just google flying geese paper piece and get patterns that way. I have a lot of paper piecing software as well as EQ and books. I then print them out on newspaper print paper (from pads from local craft store). Karen

Neat site. Complete coverage of techniques. Thanks for sharing. Great to have them all in one place.

Totally cool way to make 10 flying geese at the same time!! I need to try this out...of course, they also show you a way to make a cool border or sashing easily before you cut into geese!!! Thanks for mentioning this :)

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful suggestions! Love this quilting board!

Farm Quilter, would you please post the website to make 10 flying geese at the same time? Thanks.

Sure - they are called Fast Flying Geese on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRdlJ_GqfH8