Improv Flying Geese
How about making some improv flying geese? Those of you who have been following the Stay at Home Round Robin might remember my post showing Eva’s SAHRR quilt where one of her borders included the flying geese (seen above).
Eva and I chatted back and forth, and she sent me a quick photo of how she constructed that top flying geese block with the two geese together. Following her photo and instructions, I made one. It’s easy and fun to do, so let me take you through Eva’s steps.
This is an improv block, so I didn’t use any rulers to cut the pieces for the block. I did use a ruler to trim the block when finished. Also, I will not be giving any measurements for the block; it can be made to any size you prefer.
Eva’s Improv Flying Geese
Step 1. Construct a small flying geese block. Cut a triangle and then add the side pieces. Make sure the side pieces are long so that you can add the second flying geese unit easily.
I numbered the side pieces so you could see which piece I sewed on first (it really doesn’t matter). Make sure you allow enough fabric above the tip of the triangle for the seam allowance when trimming the block.
Step 2. Add a wide strip to the bottom of the unit. It should be the full length of the Step 1 unit.
You’ll want to have plenty of fabric on each side of the triangle, especially the side you plan to add the second flying geese unit, which is the next step.
Step 3. Place a larger piece of fabric at an angle on top of the flying geese unit so it overlaps the bottom corner of the first flying geese triangle. Sew, using the edge of the larger piece (the purple in the photo) as your guide. Trim, using the edge of the larger piece as your guide. Set the extra piece from the Step 1 unit aside.
Open and press the seam allowance to the right.
Step 4. Take a large rectangle of the background fabric and lay it across the Step 3 unit as shown. You may have to play with this a bit to get the right look to the larger triangle, so check that before you sew.
(Yes, I’m using the backside of some green Grunge scraps.) Sew along the upper long side of the background (green) rectangle, using the edge of the background fabric as your guide. Trim, again using the edge of the background fabric as your guide. Your unit will now look like this:
Step 5. Trim your block. See that notch on the lower righthand side of my block? I need to trim the lower edge of my block just above that notch. If I would have angled my purple fabric just a bit differently, I could have avoided that, but it’s improv, and we just go with it!
And here is the finished block:
In Eva’s photo, she added larger flying geese below her block. You can add additional flying geese to this block however you like.
Thanks, Eva, for sharing your tutorial with us! I’m linking up today with Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd over at Kathleen McMusing.
Wendy
Katherine's SAHRR
17 Comments
marissthequilter
This is very useful. Thank you Eva and Wendy
quirksltd
Thanks for sharing this with us. I love to do improv triangles and this is a great addition for that.
Stitchin at Home
An interesting take on flying geese, well done Eva and Wendy.
Vicki in MN
Ladies, thank you both for sharing the method, looks like fun! Will you be using this block in an upcoming project Wendy?
The Morning Latte
Great tutorial. I love flying geese–why not try variations!? :o)
Karen
I like your improve geese!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Fantastic method and tutorial; thank you Eva and Kathleen!
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
That looks like a fun technique to try! I’m going to have to do that. I love the look of the layered geese (which actually look like mountains to me)! Thanks for the tutorial, Wendy and Eva!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Since I’ve had issues with my FGs turning out correctly, maybe wonky FGs will be my go-to in the future! It doesn’t look like you can make a wrong move making these. HAHA! Thank you for sharing Eva’s technique and thank you to Eva, as well. I love her zebra FGs! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Laura
Fun little tutorial and I really like the end results! Thank you Eva and Wendy for sharing! 🙂
texasquiltgal
What a neat idea – I love both versions! Your tutorial makes it look/sound pretty straightforward, so thank you for that!
Katherine Duquette
Eva and Wendy thanks for the detailed instructions and pics.
aquilterstable
oh this was good to see – thank you both!
Kathleen McCormick
Thank you Eva, and Wendy, too, for sharing this fun tip. I was wondering where you were going with it for the second one, but it makes perfect sense. Glad its on Tips and Tutorials so I can find it again!
laura bruno lilly
I’ve been waiting for this! And it makes 100% sense – thanks for sharing you two.
🙂
The Joyful Quilter
That is SEW cool!! Thanks for sharing, Eva!
Andrée
Thanks Wendy, that sounds really great!