SEW & FLIP FLYING GEESE
With this method, squares are sewn onto opposite ends of a rectangle.
The rectangle will be the center of the flying geese unit and the squares will become the “wings.” After sewing in place, the squares are trimmed and flipped open to create the unit. The bias edges aren’t exposed until after sewing so there is no concern about stretch and distortion.
Cutting
Refer to the pattern for the sizes to cut the rectangle and squares. Cut as directed in the pattern.
Determine the finished size of the flying geese unit you’d like to make and add 1/2" to the desired finished height and width of the flying geese unit, then cut a rectangle that size.
Cut two squares the same size as the height of the cut rectangle.
For example, to make one 2" x 4" finished flying geese unit, cut a 21/2" x 41/2" rectangle and two 21/2" squares (Photo A).
Assembly
1. Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of each small square.
Place a square, right sides together, on one end of the rectangle. Sew just outside the drawn line (Photo B). 2. Using a rotary cutter, trim 1/4" away from sewn line.
Open and press to reveal the corner triangle or wing (Photo C). 3. Place the second square, right sides together, on the opposite end of the rectangle. This square will slightly overlap the previous piece.
Sew just outside the drawn line and trim 1/4" away from sewn line as before.
Open and press to complete the flying geese unit (Photo D). 4. If desired, square up the finished unit to the required unfinished size. ●
3. Arrange and sew two rows using three small stars and an E square (Figure 3). Sew the rows together to complete a Triple Star block. Make seven Triple Star blocks total. 4. Join a small star and an E square (Figure 4). Sew an F rectangle to the top to complete a Single Star block. Make six Single Star blocks total.
5. Again referring to Sew & Flip Flying Geese, use eight matching D squares and four G rectangles to make four matching large flying geese units (Figure 5). Make seven sets of four matching large units. 6. Arrange and sew three rows using four H squares, four matching large flying geese units and a matching I square (Figure 6). Sew the rows together to make a Big Star block. Make seven Big Star blocks total.
COMPLETING THE QUILT
1. Referring to the Assembly Diagram, lay out the blocks in five rows of four blocks each, noting the placement of the blocks. Add K rectangles between the blocks as shown. 2. Sew six sashing rows of five J squares and four K rectangles each. Sew five block rows of five K rectangles and four blocks each. Join the sashing and block rows, alternating, to complete the quilt center. Press.
3. Sew the L–O border strips to the quilt top in alphabetical order.
4. Layer, baste, quilt as desired and bind referring to Quilting Basics. The photographed quilt was quilted with an edgeto-edge looping meander design.