Flying Geese 20+ at a time
 

Here is my method for making lots of flying geese at the same time. These graphics are for making 20 but it could be for more by adding length to my strips or extra strips. Enjoy!

WOW, that is great. But what room is if you are off a bit with your straight stitching. I like EB method with two squares 4 because before the final cut, you can make some adjustments.

there is a little wiggle room at the top of the geese. I use the lines on my ruler to make sure the sides are exactly perpendicular to the bottom. Any other adjustments due to being off with the straight stitching I make when I sew the geese together, slightly adjusting my 1\4" seam allowance if needed.

Thanks for sharing your method. You must have put a lot of thought into this or did it just come to you one day? Sometimes, if we are lucky, we have an AHA moment and from that moment, great ideas are born.

What size finished Geese do you end up with? I have lots of patterns and they all seem to require different size geese. I'd like to be able to use your method and adapt it to any size finished geese.

The instruction was for a finished size of 4 x 2 (4-1/2 x 2-1/2 raw size). You need to do a little math to find the other dimensions:
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For a 5 x 2-1/2" flying geese unit (5-1/2 x 3 raw size):
take the long dimension and square it (i.e. 5-1/2 squared would be 30-1/4)
divide that in half (15-1/8)
take the square root of that (4 when you round up)
add seam allowance to give you a 4-1/2" strip for the geese and a 5-1/4" strip for the sky (always 3/4" larger).

So your Step 3 strips would be 4-1/2" wide
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I haven't tested this though - let me know if it works for you!

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Wow! I've got to try this! Thanks!

Thank You. You are so clever and I am so math challenged I will surly try this.

This is something I have never seen and what a time (frustration saver). Thank you for posting in such detail.

Ellen

This looks interesting. I may give it a shot next time I need a lot of flying geese. Thanks.

Interesting

I really will have to try this looks like a really neat technique!

Wow I thought I was doing good making the 4 at a time with the fancy flying geese ruler. This is fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing.

wow, thanks for sharing this

Looks like a simple way to make lots of flying geese.

Thanks for sharing> I needed that size to.

Thank you the explanation. I am definitely putting this on my to do list. It's amazing how math can play a part in our quilting calculations. I won't be able to test it any time soon. I have to finish half of my UFO's before I can start any new projects...my rule to myself because I got totally out of control with almost 50 of them....Got 9 done, still have 16 to go. 8 are ready to quilt. I am making great progress this year, but don't look to start anything new until 2016, if then. Happy quilting!

Presented like a true designer with understandable directions. I hope you continue to share your "worksheets." Thank you.

That is so great..but the math is beyond me, so will have to get my husband to help me!?!?!

Thank you so much!!!! This looks really good!

That is such a good idea. Making sure I try this.

Interesting, but the resultant patches have bias edges. I must be too rough because I always stretch bias pieces.

Yes, that's the bad news about fabric - it stretches. But the good news is... fabric stretches. I make pieces fit at the sewing machine and they always end up flat. I make sure there is enough seam allowance at the top of the geese so the point is not cut off and that the sides are perfect diagonals so there are nice points there as well. I always sew my geese (or other units) to an exactly measured piece and again, work it to make it fit - so no flairs in borders. Being aware of the stretch is the first step in fixing the problem.

Could one cut the strips diagonally instead of cross or lengthwise cut and then use the assembly method you showed?

If you start with the same size of strips that should work. So your 3-3/4 x 21 would be cut on the diagonal but the size would end up the same. However, you are then sewing strips on the diagonal - no way around it if you have triangle shapes. I think sewing long strips would be way more difficult than 4-1/2" geese on the diagonal.

I don't mind sewing on the diagonal.

I try to avoid bias edges on the perimeter of blocks.

Thank you for posting this. I printed a copy to keep in my sewing room. I won't be afraid of flying geese with this great method.

thank you so much for sharing this Method! We, Quilters can use all kind of easy tips technique, all short cut! so we can start another quilt, another one!:thumbup::wave:<3

Here is a revised pdf file.

thanks, carla!

Wow..That is great..Thanks for sharing...

Just a word of caution, you end up with bias edges and as with most flying geese units these bias edges will be on the outside edge of your block. I avoid bias edges if at all possible on my blocks. I am a longarm quilter and it does not matter what you do to bias edges they still prohibit a quilt top from laying nice and flat when loaded on the longarm machine.

Neat method, I'll have to try it!

Wow! Fabulous. It looks a bit like a Chinese puzzle. I'll have to try it the next time I need lots of identical geese. Thanks!

Wow, I just saw this, looks amazing, especially if you need a lot of the same colored geese!

fantastic...I will be sure to give this a try!

I will be giving this a try the next time I need to make geese. Clever method. Any problems with bias edges?

Haven't had any problems with the 4" size. You would need to be careful with the larger sizes. I always recommend gentle handling of all bias edges and no pinning to a design wall for extended periods unless they are sewn in place.

Awesome! Is there anyway I can get a print out of your great illustration? If I control P I get all of out comments . Thank you. I understand if not possible.

That is great, and what a good visual tutorial!