no waste flying geese

As I mentioned previously I thought I'd try using different methods to make up the component pieces for my next batch of swoon blocks. Cutting out is my least favourite part of quilting so anything that  helps on that front is very welcome. I do have a Sizzix Big Shot , lots of folks really seem to get on well with using these instead of rotary cutting but  I have very few dies at the moment. Something to look into at some point regarding which dies would be most useful.




The swoon blocks use HST and Flying Geese blocks, the HSTs I have down pat now but flying geese  -  not so good.  I remembered Toni recommending the 'no waste flying geese' method so I thought I'd give that a go. This is the tutorial by Melissa at The Happy Quilter that I used and I have to say this method is definitely on my thumbs up list.

So to make four flying geese with unfinished dimensions of 6 1/2" wide by 3 1/2" tall I cut

1 x  7 1/4" square =  Large triangle or Goose

4 x 3 7/8" squares = Small triangles or Sky 

Everything went swimmingly until I was trimming them up at the end that I realised I'd ignored one vital part of the very clear instructions, sad face :(



Yes the part where Melissa very says,

"Clip your threads and then align your ruler along the drawn center line.  Cut your pieces apart along that drawn line."

I for some reason just casually trimmed with scissors which I never really do so why I did it this time I have no idea. Anyway lesson learned I now realise that although you can get away with trimming like that on some blocks with these you need to be accurate or you'll end up with wonky edges like I did. Those funny little edges where I've circles above are where the edges of my blocks should be.

Not to worry since this method uses less fabric I had enough left over to make a new set of these colours which I cut properly and they came out very splendid indeed. I only remade one set though as I'm keen to get these sewn together so fingers crossed the ones with the wonky edges won't give me too much grief when piecing.

So alls well that ends well and when I next follow a tutorial for the first time I might just switch off the telly and concentrate properly but the again most likely I won't ;)

Now.... tonight do I get these sewn together or do I take up 3 sets of curtains?

Bye for now




no waste flying geese tutorial

Dimensions for flying geese for swoon block, unfinished 6 1/2" wide by 3 1/2" tall
cut 1 x  7 1/4" square =  Large triangle or Goose
cut 4 x 3 7/8" squares = Small triangles or Sky