Fantasy Flying Geese: 6 Weeks Of Flying Geese Quilt Block Variations

Hello, my friends! One of my favorite components in quilting is the flying geese unit. It’s such a versatile design and can be found in everything from traditional quilt blocks to modern quilts. Over the next six weeks, I’ll be exploring that versatility with my Fantasy Flying Geese Series. Each week, I’ll share a tutorial featuring a different flying geese quilt block variation, along with helpful tips and printable instructions. At the end of the series, we’ll bring all six variations together in a fun mini sampler!

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Here’s How It Started

I was scrolling through Instagram when I came across a video from Art Gallery Fabrics showing a unique variation of the flying geese block with a crazy piecing technique. They gave me permission to recreate the technique on my blog using their fabric. Great! But then my squirrel brain kicked in – why stop there? I started thinking of all the different ways you could change up a flying geese unit, and before I knew it, I had six variations to explore.

You’ve probably seen or even made some of these flying geese variations before. I didn’t invent them; I’m simply taking a closer look at each one and sharing tips, techniques, and ideas for using them in your own quilts.

Think of this series as a fun exploration of the flying geese unit, and you’re welcome to join in! There are no rules and no sign-ups—just six weeks of fun piecing and a little flying geese inspiration.

Basic Guidelines

All of the flying geese will finish at 2″ x 4″. Each week I’ll give a tutorial on how to make the variation and hopefully – because I haven’t gotten that far yet – printable instructions. For the sampler, you’ll need to make four of each flying geese variation.

Techniques

Several techniques for making flying geese will be used.

• We will make some variations one-at-a-time with the stitch and flip method.
• The four-at-a-time method will be used when possible.
• You’ll be introduced to two methods that use sneaky piecing in the construction that seems like magic.
• We will oversize the flying geese when possible so they can be trimmed to size perfectly. Two methods of oversizing will be given.
• Exact measurements will be used for one variation with tips for accuracy.

Supplies

Fabric

I’ve used my stash of Art Gallery Fabric for all of my samples. I have a combination of light, medium and dark colors in a range of rust, peach, and cream. I like variety, so each variation has different fabrics.

If using just three fabrics (light, medium, and dark) you’ll need a 1/2 yard of each. This will be more than enough fabric and will give you a little extra for experimental mishaps (!!). You can also choose 6 or more fat quarters or just use your fabric scraps.

For the mini sampler, you’ll want an additional 1/2 yard of background fabric.

Tools

You’ll need standard quilting supplies; no special rulers or tools are required. I do recommend the following items if you have them:

• Square ruler. You’ll need at least 4 1/2″ square to square up the flying geese. A larger square ruler works great, too.
• Fabric marking pen or pencil, one erasable and one permanent.
• Flying Geese Bloc Loc Ruler, size 2″ x 4″ (finished). This is a luxury item, but worth every penny.
• Rotating Mat – makes it easy to trim each side of a block without moving the fabric.

Fantasy Flying Geese Schedule

• Intro – You’re here! Supplies and basic guidelines are given.
• Week 1 – Capped Flying Geese and how to oversize flying geese units made one at a time.
• Week 2 – One Seam Flying Geese. I know it sounds impossible, but it’s a really cool piecing trick.
• Week 3 – Cat Ears Flying Geese. This one divides each wing down the center and it reminds me of cat ears. We’ll make these four-at-a-time.
• Week 4 – Stroked Flying Geese. The name comes from Art Gallery Fabrics who came up with the most clever way to piece this interesting flying geese variation.
• Week 5 – Stitch & Flip Flying Geese. An added corner triangle gives this some extra punch.
• Week 6 – Mountain Top Flying Geese. So named because it looks like a mountain range.
• Finale – A mini sampler quilt that puts all of the variations into a keepsake quilt.

I hope you’ll join me for the next six weeks as we have some fun with flying geese! Remember, this is meant to be an easy-going series—no deadlines and no pressure to keep up. Follow along at your own pace, try the variations that inspire you, or make them all and finish with the mini sampler. And, as always, leave a comment if you have any questions along the way. I’m excited to see where our Fantasy Flying Geese take us!