How to Make Flying Geese Quilt Blocks
Flying Geese are a classic quilt block that appear in all kinds of quilt patterns. They’re recognizable by their large triangle, or “goose,” surrounded by two smaller background triangles. You can use them to create borders, stars, chevrons, and all sorts of beautiful quilt designs.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make Flying Geese one at a time using an oversized cutting method. This method uses easy, whole-number measurements and leaves extra fabric around the finished unit, giving you room to trim it accurately.
What Are Flying Geese Quilt Blocks?
A Flying Geese unit consists of one large triangle set against a rectangular background, with two smaller triangles filling the corners. The finished unit is twice as wide as it is tall.
Flying Geese are often used in traditional quilt blocks, but they work just as well in modern designs. Try arranging them in rows, turning them in different directions, or combining them with other geometric shapes to create a variety of patterns.
What You’ll Need
- Quilting cotton in two contrasting fabrics: one for the goose and one for the background
- Rotary cutter and cutting mat
- Quilting ruler
- Sewing machine and thread
- Iron and ironing surface
- Fabric marker or pencil
- Pins or clips, if desired
Flying Geese Cutting Chart
This tutorial uses an oversized, trim-to-size method. Instead of cutting your fabric to the exact dimensions of the unfinished unit, you’ll start with larger pieces and trim the completed unit to size.
| Finished unit size | Rectangle to cut | Two squares to cut | Trim completed unit to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2″ × 4″ | 3″ × 5″ | 3″ × 3″ | 2½″ × 4½″ |
| 3″ × 6″ | 4″ × 7″ | 4″ × 4″ | 3½″ × 6½″ |
| 4″ × 8″ | 5″ × 9″ | 5″ × 5″ | 4½″ × 8½″ |
| 5″ × 10″ | 6″ × 11″ | 6″ × 6″ | 5½″ × 10½″ |
For a 3″ × 6″ finished Flying Geese unit:
- Cut one 4″ × 7″ rectangle from your goose fabric.
- Cut two 4″ × 4″ squares from your background fabric.
The unit will be trimmed to 3½″ × 6½″ before it is sewn into your quilt. It will finish at 3″ × 6″ after being sewn into the quilt top with ¼″ seam allowances.
Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric
Cut one rectangle and two squares using the measurements in the chart.
Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each square. These lines will serve as your sewing guides.
Step 2: Sew the First Background Triangle
Place one background square right sides together on one end of the rectangle, aligning the edges. Position the marked diagonal so it creates the first background corner when the square is sewn and folded back.
Sew directly along the marked diagonal line.
Before trimming anything, fold the square back along the seam to check that it creates the intended corner. If the fabric covers the wrong area, reposition the square before continuing.
Once the placement is correct, trim the excess fabric from the corner, leaving approximately ¼″ beyond the stitching line. Press the seam toward the background triangle.
Step 3: Add the Second Background Triangle
Place the second background square right sides together at the opposite end of the rectangle. Position its marked diagonal in the opposite direction so the two background triangles frame the central goose.
Sew along the marked line. Check that the square folds back correctly, then trim the excess corner fabric, leaving approximately ¼″ beyond the stitching line.
Press the seam toward the background triangle.
You should now have a Flying Geese shape with a large central triangle and two smaller background triangles at either end. The unit will still be larger than its final size, which is intentional.
Step 4: Trim Your Flying Geese Unit
This is where the oversized method comes in handy. Trimming helps correct small differences in sewing and gives you a consistent unit size.
For a unit that finishes at 3″ × 6″, trim the completed block to 3½″ × 6½″.
Use your quilting ruler to center the goose and check the placement of its point before cutting. The point should sit ¼″ below the top raw edge, leaving enough seam allowance to preserve it when the unit is sewn into the quilt.
Trim the sides and top and bottom as needed to achieve the required unfinished dimensions. Take your time, checking the ruler placement before each cut.
If you’re making a different size, use the final column in the cutting chart to find your target unfinished dimensions.
Step 5: Press and Check Your Unit
Give your Flying Geese unit a final press. Measure it to confirm that it matches the unfinished dimensions in the chart.
For a 3″ × 6″ finished unit, the completed piece should measure 3½″ × 6½″ at this stage.
If your unit is slightly off, check the ruler placement and seam allowances before making further adjustments. When you’re learning, it’s worth taking a little extra time to make sure your units are consistent.
Tips for Making Accurate Flying Geese
- Use a sharp rotary cutter. Clean cuts make it easier to align fabric edges and trim accurately.
- Sew carefully along your marked lines. Consistent stitching helps your finished units match their intended dimensions.
- Check the point before trimming. Make sure you leave a ¼″ seam allowance beyond the goose point.
- Press rather than drag the iron. Lifting and lowering the iron helps prevent the fabric from stretching out of shape.
- Practice with a test unit. Make one Flying Geese unit before cutting a large batch. This gives you a chance to check your sewing and trimming technique.
- Trim consistently. Matching unfinished dimensions makes assembling your quilt much easier.
Ways to Use Flying Geese in Your Quilts
Flying Geese are wonderfully versatile. Arrange several units in a row to create a border, point them toward one another to form chevrons, or combine them with squares and half-square triangles to build larger quilt blocks.
You can also experiment with contrast. A bold print for the goose and a quieter background fabric will make the triangle stand out, while low-contrast fabrics create a softer, more subtle effect.
Ready to Make Something?
Once you’ve made a few Flying Geese units, try combining them into a quilt block or using them as a repeating pattern across a quilt top. They’re a useful skill to have in your quilting toolkit, and a little practice with trimming will help you get more consistent results.