Dottie pinwheel block with one-seam flying geese!
Hi there and welcome to The Crafty Quilter! My name is Julie, and I am so excited to be participating in the Dots on Dots Blog Hop.
If this is your first time here, you’ll find some great tutorials, a few good recipes and a tip or two to help your quilting and crafting go a little smoother.
I love anything and everything craft-related, but my true love is quilting. I have been quilting for 14 years and I work and teach at a local quilt shop, The Granary, in Sunnyvale, California. I have four children (2 still at home), 2 cats, 1 dog, 1 tortoise and my husband and I just celebrated our 28th anniversary!
My project is a 12 1/2″ (unfinished) pinwheel block made with lots of dots! The “kicker” is the flying geese unit – it’s made with just ONE seam. I can’t wait to show you how easy it is.
To start you’ll need to cut the following pieces for one block:
- Light fabric: (12) 2 1/2″ squares: (8 for the flying geese and 4 for the corner squares), and (4) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles
- Dark fabric: (4) 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ rectangles, (4) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles
One-seam flying geese instructions (I’m switching colors on you):
1. Start with (2) 2 1/2″ squares of light fabric and (1) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangle of dark fabric. Fold the rectangle in half, forming a “short” square:
2. Sandwich the folded rectangle in between the two 2 1/2″ squares so that the fold of the rectangle is along the top and the raw edges along the bottom and both sides are even. The folded edge of the rectangle should be 1/4″ down from the top edges of the 2 squares.
3. Pin along the right edge and sew a 1/4″ seam from the top edge to the bottom.
4. Unfold the top square, exposing the folded rectangle inside. Using your fingers, spread the rectangle bottom edges from left to right forming a triangle. Press. (I pressed mine so that the seam allowance in the back is pressed open).
Voila! A flying goose using just one seam! It should measure 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″. This technique creates a dimensional flying geese unit and once it’s sewn into the block, the bottom edge will be secured.
Make 4 flying geese units.
Now let’s make the pinwheel block:
5. Stitch a 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ light rectangle to a flying geese rectangle.
6. Press toward the plain rectangle. Repeat for a total of 4 units which should each measure 4 1/2″ square.
7. Arrange the 4 units as shown below:
8. Pin each of the two units together, making sure the diagonal folds of the flying geese line up. Pin and sew.
9. Press towards the lighter half:
10. Join the two rows together, making sure the center seams match up.
11. Press. I pressed mine so that one side of the seam went up and the other down. This causes the four seams that converge in the center to spiral and they lie flatter.
12. Add the corner squares and rectangles to complete block:
If you’re like me, you may have a wee bit of polka dots in your stash. I think we should use up some more of those dots, don’t you?
If you’d like to make this block into a cute little baby blanket, you’ll need to make 4 pinwheel blocks and add some sashings and borders. Here’s what mine looks like:
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sashing (black dot): 1/3 yard; cut into (12) 2 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ rectangles
- Corner stones (multi dot): 1/8 yard (or scraps); cut into (9) 2 1/2″ squares
- Flange (red dot): 1/8 yard; cut into (4) 7/8″ wide strips
- Outer Border (large multi dots): 2/3 yard; cut into (4) 4 1/2″ wide strips
- Corner Squares (orange dot): 1 fat quarter; cut into (4) 4 1/2″ squares
Because of the colors in my border fabric (the large multi dots), I needed to add some red and orange to my quilt top. I decided to go with a flange to get the red accent and orange in the corner squares.
If you’re not sure what a flange is or how it’s done, you can take a look at an earlier tutorial I did for adding a flange.
Steps for Dottie Pinwheel Baby Quilt:
1. Arrange 4 pinwheel blocks, sashing and corner stones as shown below (minus cute dog):
2. Sew pieces into rows and press towards black dot (sashing) fabric.
3. Sew rows together:
4. Add flange using the (4) 7/8″ wide strips. See my tutorial here for complete instructions.
5. Add borders and corner squares. I always cut my borders to fit my quilt top, rather than sewing on a long strip of fabric and lopping off the excess. The way I do this is by taking 2 border strips and laying them across the center of the quilt top, lining up the raw edges on the left side. On the other side, use a small cutting mat and ruler to cut the excess border length, even with the right edge of the quilt top.
Since we’re adding corner squares, you’ll need to repeat that process for the other two sides.
6. Lay out your pieces: quilt top, borders and corner squares. Sew together the side borders with the quilt top and the top/bottom borders with the corner squares.
7. Press all seams towards the border fabric. Attach top and bottom border units, making sure to match seams at the corner squares.
You’re finished with the quilt top! It should measure 38″ square. Add your favorite batting and backing (minkie or flannel, perhaps?) and quilt this puppy! I stopped at phase 1 – piecing the quilt top. I’m a stinker that way 🙂
I hope you’ll follow along on our “hop” and visit today’s other participants. Here is the line-up:
For the full schedule, click on the link below:
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What a gorgeous baby quilt with all those polka dots. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m pinning this.
I think those block are so pretty. I am going to try to make some.Thank you so much.
Hi~ Great tutoirial, but I am wondering how the point on the finished flying geese stays down when in the quilt? It doesn’t look like you sew it down.
Hi Patsy, the point on top is caught in the seam allowance, so it’s automatically sewn in when you stitch your one seam. The bottom edge is loose until you sew it into an adjoining seam. I find that it stays in place just fine when I pin my seams before stitching.
I love the way you made these flying geese. THanks for linking up 🙂
Wonderful tutorial! And such a colorful quilt… well done. Love all the dots.
Cute assistant, too, holding down those pieces for you… 😉
I love your tutorial of this block and quilt. It is so cute! I love the way you did those flying geese.
Love the little quilt!
Wow, Julie, your block is amazing! I could not fathom how the heck you’d make a flying geese square with one seam, and you made it look so easy! Thank you for making a tutorial–a picture is definitely worth a thousand words!
What a sweet baby quilt! Thanks for sharing the technique.
Super cute!
Julie,
Thanks for the lovely tutorial. Of course, I love dots and I think even more I love finding a new way to do soemthing. I love the one seam flying geese and, to top it off, they’re dimensional! Oh, wonderful! Simple and a bonus. What more could one ask for – more fabric? Again, thank for participating and sharing with us.
One seam…genius! The quilt is marvelous! Great work!
Thanks for the great tutorial! Can’t wait to try it!
Your baby quilt is just wonderful!!! Thanks for sharing such a great tutorial!!
Wonderful quilt you made. The tutorial is awesome! Thank you!
I can’t wait to get home and try the flying geese technique. Thanks so much for sharing. Love the project and the tut.
Fantastic quilt and great tutorial!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Good morning Julie, I love all your dots, every last one of them. The quilt is adorable. I am definitely going to try that pinwheel technique. Thanks for the inspiration and the excellent tutorial. Happy stitching, Pauline
Love this technique for making flying geese. Is there a formula for making other sizes? Am definitely following your blog from now on.
I have to test my formula out first, but I’m working on a chart to make the other sizes. Thanks for following along!
What a great quilt…love the colors!! Thanks for the easy-to-follow tutorial!!
What a quilt quilt! Thanks for the great tutorial!
I love your quilt! Those polka dots are sew much fun. Your flying geese tutorial is very interesting. Thank you for sharing 🙂
I love everything about this quilt! Pinwheels are just darling, the bright colors are stunning, and the execution of the blocks, sashing, borders, etc. are amazing. Thanks for the tut cuz I know I want to try my hand at this quilt.
What a clever,fun way to add some dimension to flying geese!
A very very crafty tip on flying geese that I’ve never seen before. I admit it will take me several readings of your instructions to get it down in my head. Super cute dotty blocks
Blessings
Gmama Jane
Absolutely gorgeous quilt…so fresh!
Thanks for the tutorial. Your baby quilt looks so cute!
I love your quilt. I definitely want to try your easy method. Thanks for sharing!
What a great baby quilt. I love the one seam/3 D flying geese. It makes the pinwheels so special. Thank you for such a well written tut.
What a fun quilt. The colours you have used are lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the great tutorial for the 1 seam flying geese. I have never seen this before but will be printing this off so I have it the next time I need it.
Julie, I love your dotty block — and especially the “model!” Thanks for being part of the dotty hop!
That is an adorable quilt – great dotty colors!
What a darling quilt! The colors are great and I love the 3-D pinwheel. I have made the flying geese with one seam once, but the pinwheel is adorable. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
Fun quilt. Wonderful colors. Thanks for the tut. It makes flying geese sew easy!
Love your technique !! I learned it a couple years ago at quilt retreat and thats the way I generally make my flying geese (tho, this is the first time I’ve seen anyone else blog about it, besides me) Love your dots.. Hugs from MN
Very clever way to make a flying geese block. Pinwheels and polka dots are just so cute together. Thanks for all the tips and tutorials!
I love your flying geese instructions! So simple! Your quilt top looks great. I definitely would like to try this!
So fun Julie…I just love your dotty blocks!
What baby wouldn’t love those dots. I’m waving at you from across the bay. I live in Alameda.
Oh Julie, I am so in love with your block and quilt! The colors are perfect! I especially love the pink, to you happen to know what line it is from?
Thank you for the amazing tutorial, I know it took a long time to put together. I am grateful and will be trying this method.
Hi Julie- Stopped by The Granary on the Shop Hop recently. I love your 3-D flying geese (thanks for the tutorial) and the baby quilt. Thanks for sharing.
Thank You So much for sharing how to make the one seam flying geese!
I have always had trouble making flying geese as mine seem to come out wonky. I have to cut them a bit larger and then trim them down but then I lose the 1/4″ seam allowance for joining and the point tips are cut off! I bookmarked you in my favourites and I won’t be so anxious
about making flying geese. Have to go practice. Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing your one seam flying geese techinque. It is fast and fun. Love your pinwheel quilt.
Love the idea of using only one seam for the flying geese! Thanks for sharing.
Wow, what a great assortment of Dots, and they all play so well together in your quilt top. Just gorgeous.
I love your quilt.
Lovely dots thanks for sharing!!
Your tutorial makes me want to make some flying geese. Your blocks and quilt (plus that cute puppy) are just beautiful! Thanks for hopping with us! :O)
Love your little quilt it is so dotty cute.
I LOVE that quilt! I am pinning this!
I’ve never tried the flying geese, maybe this tutorial will give the the extra push. Love your dots. This dot blog along is reminding me of my childhood. Poke-a-dot dresses and the yearly Swiss dot dress for Easter, getting to go shopping with mother to pick the perfect color for that years dress..and then I turned 11 and that became baby material.
Too stinkin’ cute! I love the one seam flying geese – gonna have to try them at home! Thanks for the tut and for sharing the blanket. Again, too stinkin’ cute!
Cute project. The one-seam flying geese method is new to me. Thanks!
Wonderful baby quilt! Thanks for sharing all of the tips and tricks with us — looks great!
Adorable!! Thanks for the sweet project–love it!
Your dog does what our dog does best. Sleep.!!! Love the bright colors and your tutorial thanks for sharing your talent.
Hope to see you tomorrow on my day of the hop..But I dont think I hit the mark like you did. Great tutorial, I know I will be using it soon.
Great tutorial,Thanks!! I have serious dot stash envy!! Nice work!!
love your baby quilt thanks
Thanks for the great tutorial. The instructions and pics you showed make it look so easy to do! Love the quilt…..I love dots!
WOW – thanks for the great tutorial!! I saw this years ago – but promptly forgot about it! I’ve put it in my favorites and will make one pronto! At least the top! So you are also a “topper”! I guess I should change my being a “quilter” to a “topper”! Oh well – some day I’ll get them all quilted!! Thanks for sharing!!
What a perfectly wonderful tutorial! I can’t wait to try this…thank you! Blessings, Marlene
I love it , this is a really sweet baby quilt , all those primary colors are just perfect ,love it!!
Hi Julie, Thanks for showing the technique – very cool and your blocks are darling. Looks really good with the black dots. Enjoyed your vacation pics below this post! Looks like you had a great time.
Wow, you made that look easy as pie! I love the colors.
Your creation is very inspiring!
I love your little quilt! The tutorial was excellent! Thank you for showing us how to do this!
I love your quilt. Thanks for the tutorial. Im going to have to make one.
I love your dotted blocks and those tutorial pics are so helpful. Thanks!
What a wonderful quilt, and thanks for the great tutorial. I had forgotten about the one-seam flying geese and your tutorial was a wonderful reminder. I didn’t realaize how many dots I had until I joined this hop and I put all of mine in a basket. Of course, I look at your fabric and say to myself “have that one, and that one, and that one…..” We must both have good tast. 🙂 Thanks again!
Great tutorial! Love the quilt!
I think this quick is adorable and really fits the theme! Fun way to make the flying geese too! Thank you for blessing me with some inspiration today!
Hi Julie, love the blocks and the mini quilt it is stunning. Thanks for the tutorial and for sharing. Susie x
What great blocks and a wonderful tutorial! Your quilt is beautiful, thanks for sharing!
Beautiful baby quilt! Love your tutorial. I will try this out today. I love to learn something new. I am new this quilting (2-years). Beautiful fabric. Thanks for sharing today….Judith, Texas
Wow! What an awesome tutorial and quilt. I’ve been looking for a special quilt for my first great-grandchild. I think I’ve found it! Thank you.
Great dotty finish!!! I love the dimensional geese. Thanks for the tutorial.
I love your dotty baby quilt. Thank you for the tutorial!
Lovely little quilt and tutorial. Thank you for sharing with us today.
You make it look easy enough that I might be able to do this. Pretty quilt, and nice tute. Thanks.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the flying geese done like that! I’ll be trying that!
This is one of my favorite methods of flying geese. Isn’t that quilt just adorable? Love the little flange that gives such a cute frame around the blocks – sweet!
Love the quilt. It is perfect for a new baby. Thank you for sharing.
Oh Julie! Your blocks and the baby quilt are beautiful!. I haven’t seen the ‘geese’ blocks done like this before so thank you for sharing the tutorial. Sometimes I lose my points when I make this block, so I think this way is so much better.You did a fantastic job.
Beautiful quilt and good idea to make the flying geese units. I never saw them turned into pinwheels before. And all those colorful dots are so much fun.
Love the tutorial!! Super cute quilt top!!
Great tutorial,it`s the first time I see this way to sew flying geese and sure I`ll try it.
Your blocks are fantastic and your quilt is absolutely fabulous.Love your dotties fabrics choice.Great jog done!!
Adorable. Thanks for sharing your creativity. I’ll be back to your blog again and again!
just love this quilt top
What a fun quilt! Love it! So bright and cheerful. Thanks for sharing!
Love the quilt, and that one-seam thing has my head spinning!
Love your quilt, I will have to try doing flying geese that way. It looks so simple. Thanks for being part of the hop.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful project, I’m in dot-envy of your stash although I do have a few of my own, lol!
Great tutorial! Your baby quilt looks stunning and it’s so cool how you posted a pic of yourself holding it! It must be bliss to still have two children at home:) I have three little girls and am thinking of having one more kid because I want to make sure at least one of my children make it home for Thanksgiving every year. Have a great day!
Love that tutorial on the flying geese! LOVE IT! I will certainly be giving that a try.
LOVELY contribution Julie..most deserving well you have to hop over to see…
your tut, your pics your dots..yes you certainly got the memo…lol love your dog taking a nap and your frog…very cool…
I have seen this one seam process before but yours is so clear. I want to share it tomorrow on my “Friday Finds” post. I will be crediting you and sharing one photo from your blog post. Thanks so much for making flying geese easier for others. And, I must be the only person who doesn’t have a stash of DOTS!
I love pinwheel quilts…I am forwarding your post to my LQS owner…we have to try this! Your quilt is fabulous. Thank you for sharing with us.
Love the quilt.:) Is this technique documented in a book? Love the frog. 🙂
what a great method for flying geese! I LOVE your pinwheel baby quilt, gorgeous!
what a great method for geese. I need to try this!
Love those pinwheels and I do have to try this technique!
What a lot of dotty fabric you have!
I love flying geese but I haven’t come across this method of making them before!
Thank you for sharing!
Great project! So creative and unique. Great use of your dots.
I love, love your pinwheel quilt. It is sew awesome and your tutorial is great.
Thanks for sharing
Britt-Inger in Sweden
Beautiful! I’ll just bet that when you went to bed at night and closed your eyes, you had polka dots swimming behind your lids!!
Thanks for the great tutorial! Your babyquilt is very sweet. Thanks for showing.
Your block is just wonderful as are your fabric choices. Thanks for sharing your tutorial.
How Cute is that!! How did you find that method of flying geese assembly? I have never seen that. LOVE all thos dots!!
Wow is all I can say! What great work.
Amazing! What a great way to use dots. I love it. I will definitely be back, so I can use that tutorial. Thank you very much!
What a fabulous quilt and tutorial – thanks for sharing! I was in California earlier this year but dont think I visited a quilt shop in SunnyVale – shame as you would have remembered me if I did as I went around squealing with delight at all the lovely fabrics!
What a cute project! I loved your tutorial. I think I’ve been to the shop you work at in Sunnyvale, is it by the library? My friends live there and we spent the weekend with them last summer.
Hi from one CA gal to another! Love you dotty baby blanket. Looks like you puppy was a big help. Thank you for sharing all the tutorials.