DON’T: Post unit sizes or piece counts when posting to social media! You can say things like “One set down…” (But leave off the number of sets to go and don't state the unit size!) Please take photos away from your cutting mat lines and rulers.
Cobblestones and horse drawn carriages.
Assembly for these units is the same as the Essential Triangle Tool method below.
Using the Essential Triangle Tool will have you cutting easily from strips, saving time and increasing your piecing accuracy.
Cutting Quarter -square Triangles
Unlike having to cut 5 1/4'’ and 2 7/8’ squares as in the
traditional rotary cutting method above, I used my Essential Triangle Tool to
cut the quarter-square and half-square triangles from 2 1/2’’ strips.
2 1/2’’ strips are something I keep readily on hand so I can
easily go to my strip stash and pull what I need.
To cut quarter-square triangles, place the fourth green line from
the top (Look for the 2 1/2’’ strip width marking down the center in green) at
the bottom edge of the strip with the green line ON neutral background fabric, not
below it on the mat.
Trim 2 sides as shown. The upper tip of the ruler will extend
above the top of the strip just a bit creating a flat spot at the top of the
cut triangle. This flat spot becomes a placement guide.
Pivot the ruler, placing that fourth green line at the top of the
strip, ON the fabric. Cut.
Cut 4 matching base triangles for each set. Cut 25 sets.
Fold a 2 1/2’’ strip with right sides together so you are cutting through two layers. Right sides together is needed as we are cutting in mirror image pairs.
Square off one end of the strip set.
Using the third red line for 2’’ finished half-square triangles,
place the red line ON the fabric at the top of the strip set (Don’t place the
line on the mat above the fabric or you will be one line width too small.) and
make a cut.
Pivot the ruler, placing the 2’’ finished red line on the bottom
of the strip set and cut.
Pivot the ruler again and cut for the third
and fourth pair of matching triangles, right sides together.
Trimmed corner to trimmed corner!
All of the notched corners go at the top of the unit – the flat spot on the top of the base triangle becomes a placement guide.
Start with the right wing first!
Place the right wing triangle on top of the base triangle with right sides facing. Align the bottom edge and the diagonal.
Stitch. Gently press toward the neutral base triangle so as not to distort it. Trim dog ears.
Be consistent with always stitching the right wing triangle on first and pressing that seam allowance under toward the base triangle.
As blocks are joined together in the quilt top, this pressing will help distribute the bulk that happens during quilt assembly. (You can also always press everything open if that is your choice.)
Add the left wing triangle in the same manner. Press toward the wing triangle. Remove dog ears and trim to 2 1/2'’ X 4 1/2’’ as needed. Make 25 sets of 4 matching.
I know that folks love to talk "scant" - but be careful when sewing these. Seams that are "too scant" will not leave you with a 1/4'' seam allowance at the top of your unit. You'll lose your point in the next seam. Or your unit will be too big and you'll lose it when you trim.
The only scant that is the "right" scant is the one that takes you to unit size without losing your margins.
More Flying Geese Options:
(Without Essential Triangle Tool)
“I don’t like to sew triangles, is there another way?” “My machine
EATS triangles! What to do?”
You can make flying geese units with neutral 2 1/2’’ X 4 1/2'’
base rectangles with 2 1/2’’ aqua/turquoise squares to become wing triangles in a
stitch & flip method.
This method creates quite a bit of waste, but if it works for you – GREAT! Please remember that you may need more fabric yardage if you use methods like this.
Drawn Lines or Simple Folded Corners Method:
For each set:
Cut 4 neutral rectangles 2 1/2'' X 4 1/2''
Cut 8 aqua/turquoise squares 2 1/2''
Cut 25 sets.
Draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each of the 8 squares.
Place a square in the right hand corner of the rectangle with right sides together.
Place the sewing machine needle just barely to the RIGHT of the
drawn line into what will be the seam allowance.
The drawn line is not the seam line. It is the FOLD line where your fabric has to
fold up and over the thread to reach the edges of the base unit. DO NOT SEW ON THE LINE. Sew next to it.
Sew slowly, and carefully. Press.
*Pressing Tip! *
Instead of pressing blindly from the fold toward the corner, align
the edges of the triangle you are pressing even with the edges of the base
rectangle FIRST. Once these are even,
press down on your unit. This will block
your unit to help it keep its shape and size.
Once pressed correctly, fold triangle back and trim seam allowance 1/4'' from stitching.
Remember to start with the right wing triangle and press the seam
allowance under toward the neutral rectangle after trimming to press.
Repeat to add the opposite corner, pressing the trimmed seam
allowance toward the left triangle just added.
Repeat the process for the remaining side of each unit. Make 4 matching per set. Make 25 sets.
Don’t like drawing lines?
This is where the Simple Folded Corners or Simple Folded Corners Mini come into play.
Start as with the basic Stitch & Flip method above, but
instead of drawing a diagonal line, place the 1/4'' line on the diagonal of the Simple Folded
Corners ruler (mini shown) on the diagonal of the corner square and trim
leaving 1/4'' seam allowance.
Remember to sew just shy of 1/4'' because the FOLD has to happen
on the diagonal of the square for the triangle to reach where it needs to
go. A couple of tests should help you
adjust where you need to sew to achieve unit size.
After the first corners of all the units are sewn on and pressed under, take them back to the cutting table to put the next corner squares in place, trim, sew and press toward the left wing triangle.
View from the back side.
There is more than one way to make a successful flying geese unit!
Repeat after me:
25 sets of 4 matching.
Units will measure 2 1/2'' X 4 1/2'' at this point.
If the method you use creates more fabric waste, you may need more fabric.
I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive a Moonflower PDF pattern from me, and a Moonflower cotton roll from Cotton to Quilts.
And don't forget to check out their neutral rolls as well - I love the variety in these cotton rolls!
We'll be drawing for those winners on Monday, 11/25/24.
Get your entry in on the Gift-Away Post.
To use a coupon code - click REDEEM YOUR COUPON beneath the the total in the shopping cart. Enter the coupon code in the box that opens up. Click enter.
*NOTE* You need to put the code in BEFORE you click to your payment method for discount coupon to be applied.
International Customers Purchasing PDF Patterns: Do not use the BUY NOW button on the pattern page to check out with autofill. Place the item in your shopping cart and then go to the cart page to check out choosing either your credit card option or Paypal. Shipping addresses should not apply as this is a digital pattern purchase. I don't know why it works this way, but it does.
And since we are headed into the holidays (And holiday sewing as well!)
I've also placed a 25% discount on Pine Tree Point. Price good through 12/15/24.
This quilt reminds me of all of the Christmas Tree trucks I see daily - pulling their tree harvest up and down these mountain roads, eventually to wind up in people's homes to become Christmas memories.
If you have one started from last year - why not pull it out and get going on it again? It's the perfect time!
I think that covers it for this morning!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
This mystery pattern is given for personal use only.
No part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any
means, electronic or mechanical including printing or photocopying for sharing,
scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission
in writing from the author.
Please no uploading and saving of this file with intent to
share, email or distribute, either digitally or in hard copy.
It is a reader appreciation mystery, something I give back
to my readers for their support over the years.
Please help me continue to design and show your support by
sending your friends to my blog to print their own copy.
Please check out my other designs found in
the Quiltville Store where my books (paperback) notions, tools, and
other goodies along with my digital patterns are found right at your
fingertips.
©2024
Bonnie K Hunter. All Rights Reserved
Thank you Bonnie! Printed and saved. Miriam Cox X
ReplyDeleteAs always Bonnie, thank you! Each year my sister (NY) and I ((FL) do the mystery together across the miles! Enjoy your day!!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for this years mystery quilt! Thank you so much Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteAs always Bonnie, thank you! Each year my sister (NY) and I ((FL) do the mystery together across the miles! Enjoy your day!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth J, FL
Thank you, Bonnie. Thinking of the pictures you shared of your trip to Poland and their colorful ways has me thinking this is going to be really something!
ReplyDeleteSo excited. Thanks Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteWoo-Hoo, I'm ready and excited to get started! Thank you, Bonnie, for providing different ways to make Flying Geese. Your clear instructions are great~~thanks for the time you put into them. My favorite part was "Repeat after me." That's short and to the point so we don't mess up. Love it! :) Happy sewing everyone! Jenny
ReplyDeleteExcited to see the Quiltville mystery clues showing up on the blog!! I’m not sure if I will join in this year, but I’ll probably make a few sets of each clue. If family lore is correct, I am probably 100% Polish so I am feeling like I should make this one!! Thanks Bonnie!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Very excited to do my first ever Mystery quilt.
ReplyDeleteReally excited to start this quilt! My paternal grandparents were from Poland, and we plan to travel there next year. Thanks so much for the mystery quilt and photos!
ReplyDeleteMy husband just laughed when I told him how he could live longer and read the quote of the day!!
ReplyDeleteYour photos of Poland are reminding me of a special trip I took there. So excited to get sewing on these clues. This mystery is helping me to find my quilt mojo. Tara B
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt behind your quote today.......I have printed out the Mystery pattern and saved to my desktop. So excited to get started....Mystery #9 for me!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the quote of the day … too funny! I’m glad to see the start of the mystery quilt. I learn something new every year. I save all the steps and read through them, even if I’m not making the quilt. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSincere thanks, Bonnie! I have tried and tried to understand the Folded Corners method, but your instructions and photos finally did it. I appreciate all the work you put into this blog and the many helpful hints I have found here. May your holidays be happy! Lynne
ReplyDeleteBonnie’s mysteries are AWESOME. I have participated in four and I have four flimsy waiting for a border, but I can’t stop jumping into the next mystery project. I usually make them in Christmas colors so one day, everyone in my family may get a beautiful Christmas Quiltville quilt! Thank you for the inspiration and learning tools!
ReplyDeleteI honestly thought it was only my sewing machine that ate triangles! Wow! I don't feel so persecuted anymore--but just as frustrated....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnie. Every year I look forward to the Mystery Quilt :) Krakow is definitely a beautiful city. Have you ever been in Bohemia or Moravia? We have a long tradition of production of fabrics, beads, lace and embroidery... and beautiful nature. And hundreds of medieval monuments - towns, castles and chateaux ;)
ReplyDeleteYay!! Sew very excited! I didn't post a fabric pull because I am waiting to see what sizes are for each color. I have different sizes for each stashed in some scrap box or another... HA!! Thank you so much for always giving us something exciting to look forward to & I absolutely adore the quote of the day. I will use that the next time my mister decides to start grumbling about how much I have...;)
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous weekend & happy quilting!
Thank you so much Bonnie, this quilt will be beautiful !
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Bonnie! I love the pressing tip on the Simple Folded Corner method. Not sure which method I'm using this go around. I've done 'em all. I think I'd like to try your tip and see if it helps. I do have your tool though and like using that...decisions, decisions!
ReplyDeleteI'm making mine with black used for the background. Not a flat black, but one with little flowers and just a hint of gray spread throughout. I just loved the look of those embroidered flowers on the vest. This will be a first for me using a dark background. Can't wait to see the finished quilt.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting for another great year. I hope I can make it this year.
ReplyDeleteLove the quilts and color play. Thank you for the article
ReplyDeleteAfter my husband died suddenly in the spring of 2022, I completely lost my sewjo. In Fall 2023, I stumbled onto your blog post regarding your Indigo quilt and how you offer free quilt patterns on Black Friday in part to give those who grieve something else to think about over the holidays. It took me 11 months, but I finished the Indigo quilt and am sewing again. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteGreat article! You always have a way of making complex topics easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteAdobe Express
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