Flying geese can be a bit tricky when it comes to making them with directional fabric. If you are not working with a pattern that you want them to all be the same in it is no big deal, but in some, you just want them all going in the same direction.

Check out my step-by-step YouTube tutorial for this same technique!

Things to Know About Flying Geese:

• The 2 small squares become the the smaller triangles.
• The rectangle becomes the large triangle in the middle.
• This method is best used on directional fabrics.
• Flying geese are twice as wide as they are tall.
• Finished size is the size the flying geese will be once sewn into project.

Cutting Chart

Don’t see the size flying geese you are wanting to make? No problem! Follow these steps to make your own:

• Add 3/4″ to the height of your finished size (after being sewn) you need for your flying geese. This will be the size of your two small squares. 
• Add 3/4″ to the width of your finished size (after being sewn) you need for your flying geese. This will be the size of your one rectangle.

Example:

Calculating a flying geese that is 1″ x 2″ finished.

1″ + 3/4″ = 1 3/4″

2″ + 3/4″ = 2 3/4″

Trim unit to 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ to allow space for 1/4″ seam allowances.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Materials:

• fabric
• ruler
• cutting mat
• rotary cutter
• water-soluble pen
• pins
• bloc loc ruler

Step 1: Cut two squares and one rectangle for desired finished size.

Step 2: With right sides together, lay your first square on one edge of rectangle and flip up corner as if pressing to make sure it is going in the correct direction. Draw diagonal line with water soluble pen.

Step 3: Sew along drawn line. To use up the waste you will later trim off, you can sew 1/2″ away from drawn line on the outer edge. These can turn into small half square triangles.

Step 4: Cut a 1/4″ away from drawn line. 

Step 5: Press seam towards smaller triangle. 

Step 6: With right sides together, lay your second square on the other end of your rectangle. Fold up the edge as if pressing to determine where to draw your diagonal line. 

Step 7: Sew along drawn line. If you sewed the other seam to use up the waste, do so again here to create another half square triangle.

Step 8: Cut a 1/4″ away from drawn line. 

Step 9: Press seam towards smaller triangle. 

Step 10: Trim to size. I like using my Bloc Loc ruler for this step!

Trim up your half-square triangles too if you made them! The size of the finished half-square triangle just depends on the excess you have. If you sewed accurately throughout, you should be able to get all the same size half-square triangles.

 Trying out this tutorial? Share on Instagram and tag me (@thehomebodycompany) so I can see! 

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