- The large square becomes the 'peaked' portion of the four flying geese.
- The small squares become the side triangles of your flying geese.
Cutting Patches for No Waste Flying Geese
True Flying Geese are rectangular units, twice as wide as they are high. Your pattern may tell you the finished size of its geese, but if it doesn't you can figure that out by reading How to Change the Size of a Quilt Block.The 'Peak' Fabric: The large square. Cut a square that's 1-1/4" inch larger than the finished width of your Flying Geese.
- Example: for geese that finish at 3" x 6", cut a square that measures 7-1/4" x 7-1/4".
Fabric for Side Triangles: Cut four small squares that are 7/8" larger than the finished height of your Flying Geese.
- Example: for geese that finish at 3" x 6", cut four squares that measure 3-7/8" x 3-7/8".
Make Four Flying Geese Units
- Cut one large square for 'peaked' fabric and four small squares for triangle fabric as determined using the instructions above.
- Draw a line from one corner to the opposite corner on the back side of the four small squares.
- Place two small squares on the large square, right sides together and small squares in opposite corners as shown in the center illustration above. The lines on the backs of the small squares should flow together as illustrated.
- Sew two seams, each a scant 1/4" away from the marked lines. Press the unit to set the seams (press flat, as-is, do not flip fabrics).
- Cut the unit in half on the original drawn lines (center illustration, right).
- Press the triangles in each unit open (bottom illustration).
