{I love the idea of “paying it forward”. I think the world would be a better place if we could spread some joy and acknowledgement of good deeds done by others. I try to do that once a month for my Sew Thankful Sunday posts. I highlight some great content that I’ve found on other people’s blogs that I hope will inspire you and reward the originator by bringing traffic to their site. If your blog has been mentioned without your consent, please let me know and I will take you off the current list of featured bloggers.}
(This blog post is a few days late. Thanks for your patience!) I love the long days of summer as June brings us warm weather and plenty of sunshine in the Northern hemisphere. It also means vacation plans, summer break,and perhaps some new projects to start. There are plenty of ideas to keep you busy in today’s Sew Thankful Sunday for June.
Note: If you use Pinterest, please pin from the original source and not this blog post. Remember, you can click on any of the images in this post and it will open up a new tab to the associated link.
If you are ready to stitch up some 4th of July projects (or you’re just a fan of red/white/blue) then look no farther than Diary of a Quilter. Amy recently shared 25 Patriotic Quilting and Sewing Projects for the 4th of July. This is a nice assortment of projects from small to large that makes for some beautiful eye candy!
Check out this beautiful Blooming Star Free Quilt Pattern from Corey at Coriander Quilts. This is a gorgeous quilt that Corey shared seven years ago, but she’s re-shared it in some lovely color combinations. Quilts made with stars are some of my favorites and they’re great for summer décor!
Blooming Star Free Quilt Pattern @ Coriander Quilts
It’s time to get ready for the Macaron Mystery Quilt at Meadow Mist Designs! Every year Cheryl hosts a FREE monthly mystery quilt along that results in a generous lap-size quilt. The fun starts July 1, 2021 and continues through April 2022; all you need to do is subscribe to Chery’s blog at Meadow Mist Designs.
I get asked a lot about how to change the size of a quilt and/or quilt block. I was happy to see that Sylvia at Flying Parrot Quilts tackled that question with Resizing Quilt Patterns (part 2). She has a link to part 1 of that series which covers resizing paper piecing and other template based blocks as well as adding blocks to a quilt.
One of the necessary steps of the quilting process is basting a quilt. Carolyn at Sew Can She has a great tutorial on How to Pin Baste a Quilt. It’s a great way to baste a quilt without using sprays or chemicals.
Sometimes we are lucky enough to find an antique quilt in our possession, but don’t know how to care for it or repair any damage. Brittany at Lo & Behold Stitchery has written a fantastic series of blog posts on vintage quilts, starting with How to Repair an Antique Quilt. Definitely worth bookmarking!
I know I’ve got some catching up to do with quilting (and just about everything else in my life), but I am always excited and inspired to read about what the rest of the quilting community is up to. It seems we’ve all been busy in our own way, and I appreciate you taking the time to read this bit of quilting news. Thanks to everyone featured today, and I hope you’re summer is off to a great start!
This is going to be short and sweet. I just wanted to check in and say hello. I’ve been busy prepping and teaching EPP (English Paper Piecing) to 5th graders as well as a lesson on tessellations. I taught a Zoom class on Tuesday and another one is scheduled for this afternoon. The whole thing deserves its own blog post and that will happen soon. It’s been really fun so far, but it’s kept me from my usual quilting and blogging activities (along with the fact that I caught a nasty cold over Memorial Day weekend).
We’re also getting on a plane tomorrow morning and flying to Seattle to visit our daughter, Nicole, who lives up there. We’ll be gone until Monday afternoon. I don’t think I’m going to get my June Sew Thankful Sunday posted this weekend either. Time has just gotten away from me, but I will get caught up next week!
I hope you’re all having a great week so far and enjoying some nice weather. Happy quilting!
Last week I cut a rainbow of 3 3/4″ squares using fabric from each of my scrap bins. I was preparing for a project I’m doing with my daughter’s 5th grade class (she’s the teacher) involving hexagons and tessellating shapes. I’ll give you the full report on that later next week. Anyways, it turns out that 2 1/2″ squares will work better, but I didn’t want to trim the previously cut squares. Too much work and who wants to waste fabric? I had a bunch of mini charm packs that were perfect and 5″ charm packs that were easily cut into 2 1/2″ squares. One problem solved!
Now I had all of these beautiful 3 3/4″ squares just staring at me and wondering what to do with themselves. The perfect answer was found in Sampler Spree, 100 Fresh & Fun Quilt Blocks by Susan Ache. I just purchased this book last week at my local quilt shop and it’s full of the cutest 6″ (finished) quilt blocks. Susan sprinkles her own scrap fabric wisdom throughout the pages and it’s just full of tips and inspiration.
I skimmed through all of the blocks and found that roughly 70 of them could be made using my fabric squares (after cutting to the required sizes). A rainbow of sampler blocks are in my future friends!
I just finished my first block today. I’m picking blocks randomly and I chose to start with Dandy, #25, and the color blue. Isn’t that fussy cut butterfly adorable?
I recently started using a Tailor’s Clapper when pressing seams. If you want a thorough education on how a tailor’s clapper works, check out this excellent blog post at Suzy Quilts. Combined with a wool pressing mat, this makes my seams lay really flat. This is especially helpful with small piecing! The size of my wool pressing mat is approximately 14″ x 19″ which is versatile and works great for me.
I know this will turn into a long term project and something I can look forward to in between my other big quilting “jobs”. If you’re interested, Moda is hosting a Summer Spree quilt along this summer using the book, Sampler Spree. Every week, a new color and block assignment will be given. You just have to raid your stash and then follow the instructions in the book. I guess I’m already ahead!
That’s all for now. I’m looking forward to a long Memorial Day weekend at home. We have one graduation party to go to, but that’s it. I have some gardening to do and look forward to making some more 6″ rainbow quilt blocks.
Thanks for visiting today. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Lately I’ve been making lots of flying geese units for various blocks. There are so many ways to make flying geese, but my favorite way is to make them oversized and them trim them to the correct size. Today I’m going to show you my two favorite methods for making oversized flying geese and several ways of trimming them. I’ve also included a cutting chart for each method that you can download and print for handy reference!
Method 1: 4-at-a-time oversized flying geese
The 4-at-a-time method of making flying geese is my favorite way to make them. This is also called the “no waste method” and uses a formula to come up with exact measurements to cut and then sew the pieces together. If you’re not really careful and you don’t use a scant 1/4″ seam, these flying geese units can turn out a bit small and possibly wonky.
I much prefer making them oversized using the same 4-at-a-time method, but changing the formula to make the cut pieces bigger. This allows me to trim them down perfectly and I don’t worry about being so perfect with my stitching. I will show a few of my favorite trimming methods at the end of this blog post.
Making flying geese this way is so fast and efficient! The only time I don’t use this method is when I only need to make one or two flying geese or if I have directional fabric. Stripes and one way designs can sometimes work in your favor with this technique, but most often not. It also depends on if the directional fabric will be used for the geese body or for the geese wings. You can see in the example below, a large square of striped fabric. It will eventually get sewn and cut up diagonally. The resulting large triangles (body) will have stripes running horizontally and vertically.
Flying geese body will produce stripes running vertically and horizontally
Stripe orientation comparison
I’ll be referring to the parts of the flying geese as the body and the wings. Some people call it the goose and the sky, but body and wings makes more sense to me. And then there’s the singular goose vs. the plural geese which is a whole other discussion! Here’s a labeled flying geese unit so we’re on the same page.
In order to convert any flying geese instructions to the oversized, 4-at-a-time dimensions, you need to know the FINISHED size of the flying geese unit. Then you need to add 1 1/8″ to the short measurement (wings) and 1 1/2″ to the long measurement (geese body). For example, if you need to make a 2″ x 4″ finished-size flying geese unit, the formula will be 2″ + 1 1/8″ = 3 1/8″ for the wing pieces (cut 4) and 4″ + 1 1/2″ = 5 1/2″ (cut 1) for the body piece. But you don’t need to remember that formula because I have a handy cutting chart for you! You can save and download the PDF below or Pin the image for future reference.
Instructions for oversized flying geese, 4-at-a-time
Draw a diagonal line on the small squares (A). You can also draw stitching lines 1/4″ on each side of the center diagonal if you choose to.
With right sides together, place a square on two opposite corners of the large square (B). The squares will overlap in the center.
Stitch 1/4″ on each side of the drawn line.
Cut apart on the center diagonal line.
Press towards the small squares. The resulting shape will look like two hearts.
Place the remaining small squares, right sides together on the opposite corners of the units from above and stitch 1/4″ on each side of the drawn line.
Cut apart on the center drawn line. Press towards the corners. You will have four flying geese units that need to be trimmed.
Method 2: Stitch & flip oversized flying geese
The stitch and flip method of making flying geese is most commonly used. I see this technique used in patterns and magazines frequently. The advantage of this method is that you have more control over directional fabrics and it’s simple. The disadvantages are that it’s slightly wasteful and that it requires greater accuracy. You need to stitch right next to the diagonal line to account for the fold-over of fabric and the seam thread. I often forget which side of the line to stitch on! My flying geese almost always turn out wonky.
My solution: oversize the stitch and flip pieces! I just recently tried this on my quilt blocks from the Strawberry Garden Sampler BOM by Fig Tree & Co. I wanted all of the stripes to run in the same direction, and it worked like a charm!
In order to convert stitch & flip flying geese instructions to the oversized dimensions, you need to know the FINISHED size of the flying geese unit. Then you need to add 3/4″” to the square measurement (wings) and 3/4″ to both sides of the rectangle measurement (body). For example, if you need to make a 2″ x 4″ finished-size flying geese unit, the formula will be 2″ + 3/4″ = 2 3/4″ for the wing pieces and (2″ x 4″) + 3/4″ = 2 3/4″ x 4 3/4″ for the body pieces. Again, you don’t need to remember that formula because I have a handy cutting chart for you! You can save and download the PDF below or Pin the image for future reference.
Instructions for oversized flying geese, stitch & flip method:
Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on each square (A).
Place one square, right sides together, onto the base rectangle (B) and stitch directly on the diagonal line.
Trim seam and press to the corner.
Repeat with the remaining square on the other end of the rectangle. They will overlap considerably more in the center than when using standard measurements.
This creates a chunky flying geese unit that needs to be trimmed.
Trimming flying geese with a Bloc Loc ruler
My favorite way to trim flying geese units is to use a Bloc Loc Flying Geese ruler. These are so handy and easy to use! They have a groove underneath that locks into place along the diagonal seam allowance of the block, making it really easy to position. The main drawback is that you need a separate ruler for each size and they are not cheap. With that said, these are my most-used tools for trimming flying geese. I have them in four different sizes from 1″ x 2″ finished up to 3″ x 6″ finished. Once in a while, I need to trim to a different size and I have to use a different ruler.
To use the Bloc Loc Flying Geese ruler, you position it onto your flying geese unit and trim the right side and the top edge. Then you rotate it 180 degrees and trim the remaining two sides. That’s it!
Trimming flying geese using the Wing Clipper Tool
Another great ruler on the market is the Wing Clipper Tool by Studio 180 Designs. The advantage of this tool (ruler) is that it can trim a variety of sizes. There is a Wing Clipper II Tool that trims other sizes that are not as common. The disadvantage is that it’s a little more complicated to use. But still, it does a great job and comes with good instructions.
Trimming instructions using the Wing Clipper Tool (I’m right-handed):
Place the flying geese unit so that the “V” or valley is facing downward.
Line up the diagonal lines of the ruler on the seams. Make sure you’re using the correct cut sizes (2″ x 3 1/2″) for the example below.
Trim along the right and upper edges.
Rotate the flying geese unit 180 degrees (the”V” or valley will be facing upward).
Reposition the ruler so that the “x” at the top falls on the intersection of the seam and the previously cut edges line up with the correct size marks of the ruler.
Trim both remaining sides.
Trimming flying geese using a square ruler
What I like about this method is that it doesn’t cost a penny because you probably have a square ruler already. It’s also versatile and can trim many different sizes for flying geese units (assuming it’s large enough). I use a Creative Grids 6 1/2″ square ruler most often. The drawback is that you have to put your thinking cap on (a little). If you trim this way often enough though, you’ll get used to it.
Trimming instructions using a square ruler. Example shown is being trimmed to 2″ x 3 1/2″.
Place the flying geese unit so that the “V” or valley is facing up. The 1/4″ line of the ruler and the 1 3/4″ line should be on the center seam. The 2″ and 3 1/2″ lines of the ruler should fall on the bottom diagonal seams.
Trim the right and top edges.
Turn the unit and place the diagonal line of the ruler on the seam. The previously cut edges will line up with the 2″ and 3 1/2″ lines of the ruler. Trim the remaining two edges.
Note: in this example, I’m trimming to 2″ x 3 1/2″. To make this work for any size flying geese unit, you need to know the center measurement of the long side of the unit you’re making. For example, to find the center of a 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ unit you would divide 4 1/2″ by 2 which equals 2 1/4″. You would then place the 2 1/4″ line of the ruler on the center seam allowance (point) of the flying geese unit.
That’s a bunch of information about flying geese and I hope it was helpful. I love making flying geese by oversizing them first and trimming to exact size using any of the methods shown here. I didn’t have to search too far to find some of my past quilt blocks that include flying geese. Here’s a little inspiration for you!
Happy Friday! I have some updates to share (including a fun new quilt along) but first, I wanted to thank you for your kind messages from my recent Mother’s Day blog post. I always hesitate to share much about my personal life on the blog. Before I hit “publish”, I wonder if they (you) won’t be interested or you might think I’m “fluffing my feathers” with too many pictures of me and my family. But you always amaze me with your generous and supportive comments. So thank you for that!
On to the new stuff! I just saw through Instagram that Jessica Dayon is starting a new quilt along today. The Holly Jolly Block of the Week just kicked off on May 14, 2021, and will continue through October. That’s 26 weeks of quilt blocks and it’s FREE! This is a gorgeous sampler quilt that will measure 74 1/2″ x 84 1/2″. You don’t need to sign up, just follow Jessica’s blog and the instructions and PDF links will be posted there.
I LOVE quilt alongs (QAL’s), block of the months (BOM’s) and block of the weeks (BOW’s). I think this would be a great quilt to make using fabric from my scrap bins and stash. I am so tempted to join this one, but I feel like I won’t be able to commit with my schedule as it it. So, I’m on the fence with it.
My other BOM’s are coming along very nicely. I’m co-teaching Red At Night 2 at The Granary Quilt Shop via Zoom. This is going to be a beautiful quilt! I have six blocks finished so far. Here are the two most recent from May:
Here are three more blocks (there’s a fourth but I don’t have a photo).
My other BOM is the Strawberry Garden Mystery Sampler by Fig Tree & Co. This one started in March or April – it was a little bit behind due to fabric delays. It will be a sampler quilt with a garden feel to it. I love the color palette! This is my set of blocks for this month:
Lots of flying geese with this month’s blocks! Which is awesome and has prompted me to start a separate blog post on flying geese. I’m working on it now and hope to have it ready soon.
In the meantime, thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
