Hand Piecing a Flying Geese Block - Alternative Method

Block 3 in our Hand Pieced QAL is all about the Flying Geese block.  Kristin has provided an excellent tutorial including video which has all the information you need to construct the block.

Like many things in quilting, there is another way to make a flying geese unit called the "stitch and flip method".  You start with (1) rectangle and (2) squares instead of cutting triangles. 

To make a single flying geese block of the size needed for block 3 you will need:

• (1) rectangle - 2''  x 3 1/2 ''  (shown as white in the photos below)
• (2) squares - 2'' x 2 '' (shown as shades of blue in the photos below)

Let's get started!

• On the wrong side of each of the squares, draw a diagonal stitching line, making sure to start and stop 1/4'' from each corner.

• Pin one square to the right side of the rectangle.   Attach the square by aligning the top, bottom and right edge to the rectangle.  Stitch along the stitching line.  

• Trim away excess, making sure to leave a ¼ '' seam.  Finger press open.

•  Repeat for second square aligning to right edge.  You will notice that the ledge created by the folded over corner will actually mark the starting (or stopping line) of your stitches for the second square.  Take care not to stitch into or through the seam allowance during construction of the unit.

(Note: The marked line in center photo below extends a bit too close to the corners in error.  I stopped and started my stitching where the pins are placed.)

Once pressed, your flying geese should measure 2'' x 3 1/2 '', the same size as the rectangle you started with!

I took a pass at making a video of this method - hope it helps!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Hand Pieced QAL: Flying Geese (Block 3)

We are so very excited to share our third block in the Hand Pieced QAL.   (Please visit the Hand Pieced QAL kick-off page for the big reveal as well as coloring pages.)  

My favorite quilt block of all time is the Flying Geese and I love including it as often as I can in my quilts.  And I'm happy to say, this block is as fun to make by hand as it is by machine!

We can't wait to see your finished blocks - the link-up opens Thursday!  (See the overall QAL post for more information on how to link-up.)

As needed, refer back to our tutorials (including video) on each of the hand piecing skills:

• Marking stitching lines
• Running Stitch 
• Dealing with Seams
• Spinning Seams

Fabric requirements are available as well as some suggestions of useful tools and notions and an overall coloring page. (See overall QAL page for more information.)

Kristin is hosting the tutorial for the Flying Geese block on Simple Handmade Everyday.  Click image below to visit tutorial and enjoy time piecing this week's block! 

Flying geese require lots of triangles - visit this tutorial if you'd like to see how to construct geese using the stitch & flip method which uses squares and rectangles.

Thanks to Fat Quarter Shop and Famore for sponsoring the block tutorials!

The link-up for the Flying Geese block - block 3 in our QAL - opens on Thursday, February 7!  Finished blocks can be shared in any weekly link-up, however, so don't worry if you get behind.

For more information on the QAL including catching up with any tutorials you've missed, please visit the main event page - Hand Pieced QAL. 

You can also join our Hand Pieced Quilt Along Facebook Group and / or subscribe to our newsletter so you'll be among the first to know about new block tutorials.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

One Monthly Goal February Goal Setting Link-up

(Looking for the Hand Pieced QAL link-up - find it here)

Welcome to February!  We had a record number of 155 goals linked up for January - lets see what this month brings!    Did you see the overall announcement for the sponsors and featured designers for 2019?  It will blow you away!

New to One Monthly Goal?  Welcome!  To join, share a photo of your project, some words about what you want to accomplish in a blog post, an Instagram post (tutorial) or a post on Flickr and add that photo to the link-up.  Return at the end of the month and share your results.  You can read about the event and the rules on the main event page.

We have wonderful sponsors this month - three (3) winners will be randomly chosen from those that link up in both the goal and the finish event.  

Fat Quarter Shop offers a tremendous selection of fabric, notions, books and just about anything you will need for your project. Consider their Sew Sampler box to receive a monthly surprise delivery of fabric and fun.  Fat Quarter Shop is offering a $25 gift certificate to one lucky participant.

Precision Quilting Tools manufactures the highest quality products used for Quilting, Sewing, and Arts & Crafts.  Their best selling product is a 100% Felted Wool mat perfect for pressing your quilt blocks.  Precision Quilting Tools is offering a 17 x 17'' wool mat to one lucky participant.  (Read more about the pressing mat in my product review!)  (Note - this prize can only be mailed to a US address.)



I'm excited to introduce Amy Smart of  Diary of a Quilter, our featured designer for February!  

Amy is a quilt designer and teacher who shares her love for quilting through her blog.  You can find Amy's quilt patterns in her shop plus she has also contributed to multiple books and magazines.  In addition, she publishes wonderful tutorials - from tips for choosing fabric, tutorials on free motion quilting, plus free block patterns and quilt patterns.  I really enjoyed her post on tips for organizing your sewing room.

Amy is offering one lucky winner a pdf quilt pattern from her shop.  You can visit Amy at her blog, on Instagram, on Facebook, and in her pattern shop.

Quilt and image credit to Amy Smart.
Patterns - Land That I Love and Summer Bunting plus Pixelated Heart tips

My goal for February is to work on my 2 color version of my Hand Pieced QAL blocks.  (Interested in hand piecing?  Come join the fun!)

Now it is your turn to link up - what is your goal for this month?  (A goal could be to finish a quilt but it could also be to attach a binding.  Whatever it takes to help you move forward and make progress on your projects!  And as long as the project involves making something with a needle and/or fabric, you can link up!)

Make sure you visit the One Monthly Goal event page for the specific requirements for links and social tags.  Your blog post (or Flickr post) must contain a photo of your project, a clearly stated goal and a link back to Elm Street Quilts.  Your Instagram post must include a photo of your project, a clearly stated goal and the tag #onemonthlygoal.  (Entries which don't contain the required information may be disqualified.)

And remember, to be eligible for the prize(s) by random drawing you must linkup at both the goal setting and the accomplishment linkup in a given month.   (The One Monthly Goal accomplishment linkup will be available on February 22.)

Make sure you add a link to this OMG post so others can find the OMG link-up from your blog.  Let's make that easy -  just paste this into your post:  

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal February Link-up.

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks for linking up!

Have a wonderful day! Patty