This block is built of 4 flying geese along with a 2 inch square. There are SEW many ways to make a flying goose block. I'm going to use easy angle and companion angle rulers tonight because I haven't in a long time, but feel free to use the method that works for you. I'll come back at the end and link to some other techniques for you to consider. The key is that each goose should be 3.5 by 2 inches unfinished. (Finished size = 3 by 1.5)
To use the specialty rulers, start with 2 inch strips of two contrasting fabrics. I chose black and grey.
With the darker color, use the companion angle ruler to cut 4 goose bodies. If the strip is folded in half you can cut two at a time.
Next, use the lighter color to cut 8 goose wings. Again, if you fold your strip in half you can double your productivity.
Add a 2 inch square of light fabric and you are all set.
Sew one wing onto the right side of each goose body. Finger press before sewing the other wing onto the left side.
Press your flying geese and trim the dog ears.
Start placing your geese around the center square. This block is just like the friendship block we did a couple of weeks ago, but with flying geese instead of plain rectangles. It uses the same partial seam method. So if you made that block you will be ready to go.
Continue to rotate the geese around the center square working in a clockwise direction.
Sew the top goose to the center square using a partial seam. This means that instead of sewing end to end, you will start in the center of the square and sew to the right hand end. If you look carefully at the picture, you can see that the left hand end of the seam is open.
Move on to the block in the upper right and sew using a regular seam.
Continue to rotate around, each seam is regular until you get back to where you started.
The top seam is already half sewn, so you just have to finish off the other half.
To use the specialty rulers, start with 2 inch strips of two contrasting fabrics. I chose black and grey.
With the darker color, use the companion angle ruler to cut 4 goose bodies. If the strip is folded in half you can cut two at a time.
Next, use the lighter color to cut 8 goose wings. Again, if you fold your strip in half you can double your productivity.
Add a 2 inch square of light fabric and you are all set.
Sew one wing onto the right side of each goose body. Finger press before sewing the other wing onto the left side.
Press your flying geese and trim the dog ears.
Start placing your geese around the center square. This block is just like the friendship block we did a couple of weeks ago, but with flying geese instead of plain rectangles. It uses the same partial seam method. So if you made that block you will be ready to go.
Continue to rotate the geese around the center square working in a clockwise direction.
Sew the top goose to the center square using a partial seam. This means that instead of sewing end to end, you will start in the center of the square and sew to the right hand end. If you look carefully at the picture, you can see that the left hand end of the seam is open.
Move on to the block in the upper right and sew using a regular seam.
Continue to rotate around, each seam is regular until you get back to where you started.
The top seam is already half sewn, so you just have to finish off the other half.
Press the seams on the back to help them lie flat and you are good to go.
Back in a flash with some links to other geese methods.
This is going to be a spectacular block. I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteNice block
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great block! Thanks, Angela!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely sewed my geese facing the wrong direction the first time through! That’s my fault for not checking the directions one more time when I laid them out. I’m always too nervous to try blocks with partial seams, so thank you for the small challenge.
ReplyDelete