Tutorial: Fly with Me Quilt Block

As promised I (Megan) have a tutorial to share today!  Yay! :)  It is always best to promise a tutorial, that way I actually (usually) follow through.

I am going to use a quick and easy method for creating flying geese.  The math for flying geese has always thrown me, so if I've needed a specific size it stressed me out to try to get it right!  But I finally figured out the trick!  Yay! I think I've been resistant in the past because it doesn't give a "pretty" number (ie 2 7/8") in the end.  But at least it is one simple formula every time.  So this is the formula.  You should add 7/8" to what you want the finished size of your "sky" squares.  You should add 1 1/4" to what you want the finished size of your "geese" squares.  Confused?  I'll show you here:

Finished sizes I wanted for Momma Geese (larger) was 2" x 4".  So for the sky I cut the pieces 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" and for the momma geese I cut the pieces 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".  For the Baby Geese (smaller) I wanted the finished size of 1" x 2".  So for the sky I cut the pieces 1 7/8" x 1 7/8" and for the baby geese I cut the pieces 3 1/4" x 3 1/4".  See below for cutting requirements:

Each geese square uses four sky squares; yielding 4 flying geese.  Giving a total of 12 flying geese each for Momma and Baby.

If you have not seen or used this method before prepare to be confused, slightly enlightened, confused again and then AMAZED! :)  At least that was how I felt the first time I tried it :)  Start by drawing a line from corner to corner on each sky piece.  Sorry for the awful photo.

Next take two sky pieces and place them in opposite corners of the same geese piece.  They will overlap a little in the middle.  Sew 1/4" on each side of the line.  Cut down the line.

Press the two sky triangles at the top out, the piece will kind of look like a heart.  Take another sky square and place it on the remaining corner of the geese piece.  Sew 1/4" on each side of the line, cut down the line and press out.  Repeat on all pieces until you have 12 Momma Geese and 12 Baby Geese!

Amazed!! Fancy right??

Piece the geese on top of each other, two rows with 6 Momma Geese and one row of the Baby Geese.

Piece together side to side....

Add the borders to each side and you've got one Fly With Me Quilt Block, 12" x 12".

I am using this block in our Block of the Month series, June's theme is Flying Geese!

Hope you enjoy the tutorial and block!  Feedback on tutorials are so great and let me know if you see any problems, please! :)  Also if you use this tutorial please link back to our site, we really appreciate it!