How to Sew a Basic Flying Geese Block
The Flying Geese quilt block is one of the most versatile and essential building blocks in quilting, showing up in everything from stars to borders to complex traditional designs. While it may look a little intimidating at first, my simple no-trim method takes out the guesswork and makes it easy to sew perfect Flying Geese every time—no trimming required! In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions so you can master this classic unit and use it confidently in your quilting projects.
Fabric Requirements:
The finished foundation rectangle is always twice as long as it is wide – 2″ x 4″, 3″ x 6, 1.5″ x 3″, etc. and the squares that are used to make the corner triangles are always the same as the width of the rectangle. Of course you need to add 1/2″ to your finished size to figure out the size of the rectangle and squares. So if you want a finished patch that measures 2″ x 4″, you need a rectangle that is 2.5″ x 4.5″ and two 2.5″ squares.
For this example I've used:
- Light/Yellow: 2 - 2.5" squares
- Dark/Black: 1 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangle
Sewing Directions:
Step 1:
First you will need to mark a diagonal line on the back of the two Light/Yellow 2.5" squares.
Step 2:
Place one square on one end of rectangle, right sides together. Sew close to the marked line in what will be the seam allowance. By sewing what will be a scant 1/4″ seam allowance, you are allowing for the space that the thickness of the fabric and thread take up when turned and pressed. It is easier to start sewing at the corner of the square that is in the middle of the rectangle.
Step 3:
Match the corners of the square and press. When you match the corners, there is no need to square up your patch.
Step 4:
Open up the square and trim the seam allowance.
Step 5:
Turn the corner back and you have half of the Flying Geese block done.
Step 6:
Place the other square on the opposite end of the rectangle and repeat Steps 2 through 5. You’re done!
Blocks that Use the Flying Geese Unit:
Here's an example of the Ohio Star block that uses similar colors to the tutorial.
This is an Amish Star block. Notice that the center of this block is an Ohio Star block.
The Fox and Geese block is a great example of how the Flying Geese unit creates movement in a block.
Another example of movement in a block is this scrappy Wild Goose Chase block.
The Aunt Sukey's Choice block uses Flying Geese to create a chevron shape.
Conclusion:
I hope you've enjoyed my method for making a Flying Geese quilt block. I prefer my method for making them as I don't have to trim/square up each and every unit. It is also easy to make scrappy units with this method.
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Happy Quilting!
Elaine
Here are some more examples! Follow the attached links for four select tutorials YOU can make now that you understand the Flying Geese block!