Free Tutorial for the Easy Chicago Geese Quilt Block

The Chicago Geese block is easy and quick to sew together. It's sort of Log Cabin, sort of Flying Geese, and looks very similar to the Wild Goose Chase block. Traditionally, the pattern is made with a background and two colors but...you know me, I had to add more fabrics to the mix! Let's get started!

(Update: You can purchase a PDF download of this block at Chicago Geese Quilt Block Pattern for $5).

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Chicago Geese Quilt Block:

• White: 1 - 5" square
• Pink: 1 - 5" square
• Dark Aqua: 4 - 4.5" squares
• Light Gold: 1 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle, and 1 - 2.5: x 6.5" rectangle
• Light Aqua: 1 - 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle, and 1 - 2.5" x 8.5" rectangle
• Light Yellow: 1 - 2.5" x 8.5" rectangle, and 1 - 2.5" x 10.5" rectangle
• Medium Aqua: 1 - 2.5" x 10.5" rectangle, and 1 2.5" x 12.5" rectangle
• 1/4 yard of each color will make approximately four blocks

Sewing Directions:

Step 1:

Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the Light/White 5" square and the four Dark Aqua 4.5" squares as shown in the picture below.

Half Square Triangle Unit:

Step 2:

Using the White 5" square and the Pink 5" square, make a Half Square Triangle (HST) unit. Trim/square up the HST to a 4.5" square. You only need one HST for each block. You can find a tutorial for making a basic Half Square Triangle block at https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

First Flying Geese Corner:

Step 3:

Match up the Light Gold 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle with the Half Square Triangle as shown below and sew together.

Step 4:

Press the seam allowance toward the rectangle as shown in the picture below.

Step 5:

Sew the Light Gold 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle to the Step 4 unit as shown.

Step 6:

Press the seam allowance toward the Light Gold fabric as shown below.

Step 7:

Lay out one of the Dark Aqua 4.5" squares as shown and sew a thread or two away from the marked line in what will be the seam allowance (this allows space for the fabric to fold in the next step). 

Step 8:

Match up the corners of Dark Aqua square and press as shown in the picture below.

Step 9:

Trim away the excess seam allowance.

Step 10:

Refold the Dark Aqua to complete this first Flying Geese corner.

Step 11:

Here's a picture showing the direction of the seam allowances. Notice that all of them go away from the Half Square Triangle unit.

Second Flying Geese Corner:

Step 12:

Repeat Steps 3 through 11 substituting the Light Aqua rectangles for the Light Gold rectangles. 

Step 13:

Here's a shot of the back showing the directions of the seam allowances.

Third Flying Geese Corner:

Step 14:

Repeat Steps 3 through 11 again only using the Light Yellow rectangles.

and press the seam allowances outward just as before.

Fourth Flying Geese Corner:

Step 15:

Repeat Steps 3 through 11 again but substitute the Medium Aqua rectangles for the Light Gold ones. 

Step 16:

Here's a picture of the back of the final block. You're done!

Layout Options:

Here's just a normal 4 x 4 layout using similar colors to what I sewed up.

 

Here's the traditional coloring of a background and two colors and rotated around a bit.

And a bit more fun just rotating the blocks around.

And a couple of on point layouts.

Conclusion:

The Chicago Geese block was fun and quick to sew together! I love the different designs you can get with this block. I think it would be a lovely block to make out of left over 2.5" strips and scraps and one dark fabric for the Flying Geese shapes.

I hope you've enjoyed this Chicago Geese quilt block tutorial. If you liked this post and want to see more quilting tutorials like this, simply click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and also receive a free PDF called "Chained Weathervane".