puzzle piece

Click to solve our online jigsaw puzzles!

puzzle piece

How to Calculate a Flying Geese Quilt Block Size

The Flying Geese quilt block resembles a line of migrating birds.
Flock of geese in formation flight over white image by Accent from Fotolia.com

The Flying Geese block is a versatile quilt block that can be used in medallion quilts or borders or set off as its own main quilt pattern. The block uses two contrasting colors and looks like a wide triangle pointing upward. The effect, when the block is set in rows, is of geese flying in a row when they migrate. While Flying Geese looks like a simple pattern, the math can be tricky when figuring out the size of the patches to cut. Follow the math formula instead of relying on instinct when making this quilt block.

Decide how large you want your finished Flying Geese block to be. Each block in this pattern must be exactly twice as wide as it is tall. Remember that a finished quilt block size doesn't include any measurement for seam allowance, but only the amount of fabric that shows in the final product.

Calculate the size of the points. Take the width of your finished block and add 1 1/4 inches. You will cut one square of this size to produce four Flying Geese blocks.

Calculate the size of the background fabric. Take the height of your finished block and add 7/8 inch. You need to cut four squares of this size to complete four blocks in your pattern.

Tip

This measurement method is for the quick-sew method to make four Flying Geese blocks at once. There are other methods for making this block, each one using a different measurement system, as with many quilt block patterns.

Our Passtimes