Sometimes the simplest blocks are the best. I have always loved the Flying Geese block, especially since I found a method of making them bigger and trimming them down to size with special trim rulers.
My first Flying Geese ruler was Fit to be Geese, by Monique Dillard of Open Gate Quilts. Every time I make flying geese I use her instructions for cutting the oversized pieces. Her ruler is wonderful, and with it, you can make multiple sizes of geese. In the past couple of years I have discovered the BlocLoc Flying Geese Trim tool, which is a bit easier to use for trimming, but they are pricey and I don't have them in every size. Monique's ruler is probably the most versatile and certainly is well priced. I have both sizes that she makes, and use the Mini size most often.
As I said, BlocLoc trim rulers for flying geese are terrific, but you need a specific one for each size of flying geese you may be making. I have a couple in the sizes that I use most often and love them, but find myself using Monique's ruler for all the other sizes I don't make as often.
What am I making all these geese for you might ask? I am thinking of adding them as a border to my Moda BlockHeads 1 quilt. That quilt has a lot going on in it, with all the different sampler blocks, and I figured what the heck, let's go busy and add more.
There will be a thin neutral containment border separating the geese from the blocks. I am considering another neutral containment border and then a large floral print in one of the Kansas Troubles fabrics that has all the colors in the quilt. All these borders will make the finished quilt fit my queen-sized bed nicely and why not? After all this work I want to enjoy the quilt on a daily basis.
I hope you all have a terrific weekend. Our weather has improved dramatically and is just glorious. Unfortunately, my husband can't go outside and we are keeping all the doors and windows closed because of the high pollen count that is making his hayfever allergies absolute torture! I seem unbothered by it and plan some reading time on the porch!
39 responses to “Flying Geese”
I found my flying geese blocks sometimes turning out wonky, so I purchased the Creative Grids flying geese tool about a year ago. However, it’s still wrapped in the cellophane that it came in, so…. I can’t really comment on how useful it is. But I do like to make most blocks oversize and then trim them down.
You will definitely want to keep that beautiful quilt on your bed to admire. So much work went into it.
Our weather has warmed up and while walking the last two evenings, we’ve come across deer grazing along the side of the trail. What a treat to see them. Such beautiful animals.
Have a great weekend.
I found my flying geese blocks sometimes turning out wonky, so I purchased the Creative Grids flying geese tool about a year ago. However, it’s still wrapped in the cellophane that it came in, so…. I can’t really comment on how useful it is. But I do like to make most blocks oversize and then trim them down.
You will definitely want to keep that beautiful quilt on your bed to admire. So much work went into it.
Our weather has warmed up and while walking the last two evenings, we’ve come across deer grazing along the side of the trail. What a treat to see them. Such beautiful animals.
Have a great weekend.
I found my flying geese blocks sometimes turning out wonky, so I purchased the Creative Grids flying geese tool about a year ago. However, it’s still wrapped in the cellophane that it came in, so…. I can’t really comment on how useful it is. But I do like to make most blocks oversize and then trim them down.
You will definitely want to keep that beautiful quilt on your bed to admire. So much work went into it.
Our weather has warmed up and while walking the last two evenings, we’ve come across deer grazing along the side of the trail. What a treat to see them. Such beautiful animals.
Have a great weekend.
Oh, that is going to be wonderful.
Oh, that is going to be wonderful.
Oh, that is going to be wonderful.
I love the look of the flying geese border. Your quilt is fabulous and will be loved for years to come. I just used blocloc for 1/2 square triangles and loved the ease and results. I have been working on economy blocks this week and since I don’t have a math brain I have found Deb Tucker’s ruler very helpful. Any gadget that helps my piecing and makes my life easier I am all for. Happy Spring, enjoy that sunshine!
I love the look of the flying geese border. Your quilt is fabulous and will be loved for years to come. I just used blocloc for 1/2 square triangles and loved the ease and results. I have been working on economy blocks this week and since I don’t have a math brain I have found Deb Tucker’s ruler very helpful. Any gadget that helps my piecing and makes my life easier I am all for. Happy Spring, enjoy that sunshine!
I love the look of the flying geese border. Your quilt is fabulous and will be loved for years to come. I just used blocloc for 1/2 square triangles and loved the ease and results. I have been working on economy blocks this week and since I don’t have a math brain I have found Deb Tucker’s ruler very helpful. Any gadget that helps my piecing and makes my life easier I am all for. Happy Spring, enjoy that sunshine!
My best recollection of a quilt show quilt that made me decide I had to start quilting was a flying geese quilt that was easily queen or king size, pretty much in the colors you are using presently. The size of the geese was fair but I’m sure not over 6 inches. It was so graphically striking, I can still recall it. One of these days….
My best recollection of a quilt show quilt that made me decide I had to start quilting was a flying geese quilt that was easily queen or king size, pretty much in the colors you are using presently. The size of the geese was fair but I’m sure not over 6 inches. It was so graphically striking, I can still recall it. One of these days….
My best recollection of a quilt show quilt that made me decide I had to start quilting was a flying geese quilt that was easily queen or king size, pretty much in the colors you are using presently. The size of the geese was fair but I’m sure not over 6 inches. It was so graphically striking, I can still recall it. One of these days….
Your quilt top is just wonderful and the flying geese border looks good. Lots of work in this top for sure. Have a wonderful weekend with our nice warm weather. Be well and be safe!
Your quilt top is just wonderful and the flying geese border looks good. Lots of work in this top for sure. Have a wonderful weekend with our nice warm weather. Be well and be safe!
Your quilt top is just wonderful and the flying geese border looks good. Lots of work in this top for sure. Have a wonderful weekend with our nice warm weather. Be well and be safe!
Look at those gorgeous flying geese! Beautiful, Nicole.
Look at those gorgeous flying geese! Beautiful, Nicole.
Look at those gorgeous flying geese! Beautiful, Nicole.
Your geese are gorgeous and really add to the quilt. Have a nice weekend!
Your geese are gorgeous and really add to the quilt. Have a nice weekend!
Your geese are gorgeous and really add to the quilt. Have a nice weekend!
I think your flying geese border is going to look great on your quilt! Please share when you have it all done!
I think your flying geese border is going to look great on your quilt! Please share when you have it all done!
I think your flying geese border is going to look great on your quilt! Please share when you have it all done!
The flying geese border will be a nice frame for your blocks! I use Monique’s Fit To Be Geese rulers as well as her Fit To Be Quarters to square up. About a year ago I bought Doug Leko’s Simple Folded Corners rulers & love them! No more drawing lines for HST’s & ‘snowball’ corners!! I feel sorry for your husband’s hay fever suffering. I have it during hay season right outside my door & it’s no fun. Have a nice weekend. Stay well!
The flying geese border will be a nice frame for your blocks! I use Monique’s Fit To Be Geese rulers as well as her Fit To Be Quarters to square up. About a year ago I bought Doug Leko’s Simple Folded Corners rulers & love them! No more drawing lines for HST’s & ‘snowball’ corners!! I feel sorry for your husband’s hay fever suffering. I have it during hay season right outside my door & it’s no fun. Have a nice weekend. Stay well!
The flying geese border will be a nice frame for your blocks! I use Monique’s Fit To Be Geese rulers as well as her Fit To Be Quarters to square up. About a year ago I bought Doug Leko’s Simple Folded Corners rulers & love them! No more drawing lines for HST’s & ‘snowball’ corners!! I feel sorry for your husband’s hay fever suffering. I have it during hay season right outside my door & it’s no fun. Have a nice weekend. Stay well!
My doctor recently alerted me to what has been a miracle drug for my hayfever – Flonase. It is a nasal spray that you use once a day for up to 2 months. Doesn’t need a prescription and you can use it along with oral medication for allergies. It has worked great for me.
My doctor recently alerted me to what has been a miracle drug for my hayfever – Flonase. It is a nasal spray that you use once a day for up to 2 months. Doesn’t need a prescription and you can use it along with oral medication for allergies. It has worked great for me.
My doctor recently alerted me to what has been a miracle drug for my hayfever – Flonase. It is a nasal spray that you use once a day for up to 2 months. Doesn’t need a prescription and you can use it along with oral medication for allergies. It has worked great for me.
Looks like a lot of work but so worth it in the end. I just finished my Blockheads 1 quilt a month ago. Had finally gotten it to the quilter and then bound. Hung behind our bed.
Looks like a lot of work but so worth it in the end. I just finished my Blockheads 1 quilt a month ago. Had finally gotten it to the quilter and then bound. Hung behind our bed.
Looks like a lot of work but so worth it in the end. I just finished my Blockheads 1 quilt a month ago. Had finally gotten it to the quilter and then bound. Hung behind our bed.
Love your choice Nicole on the flying geese!!! Monique’s flying geese rulers are terrific and reasonable!!! Have a great weekend!
Love your choice Nicole on the flying geese!!! Monique’s flying geese rulers are terrific and reasonable!!! Have a great weekend!
Love your choice Nicole on the flying geese!!! Monique’s flying geese rulers are terrific and reasonable!!! Have a great weekend!
I think it may have been inspiration from your blog and Carrie Nelson that spurred my love for the flying geese block. I also use Monique’s ruler with a little addition. I think it was Carrie who suggested the trick of a small stack of post-it notes in the V of the ruler to align with the seams when trimming. It is my version of a poor man’s Block loc that is one size fits all.
I think it may have been inspiration from your blog and Carrie Nelson that spurred my love for the flying geese block. I also use Monique’s ruler with a little addition. I think it was Carrie who suggested the trick of a small stack of post-it notes in the V of the ruler to align with the seams when trimming. It is my version of a poor man’s Block loc that is one size fits all.
I think it may have been inspiration from your blog and Carrie Nelson that spurred my love for the flying geese block. I also use Monique’s ruler with a little addition. I think it was Carrie who suggested the trick of a small stack of post-it notes in the V of the ruler to align with the seams when trimming. It is my version of a poor man’s Block loc that is one size fits all.