The flying geese quilt block is used in hundreds of traditional patchwork quilt blocks and is perfect for quilt borders. You see it in both traditional and modern quilts. Why is this technique called the no-waste flying geese quilt block? There is no waste like other techniques. You start with one larger square and 4 smaller squares and you get 4 flying geese quilt blocks exactly the same!

There are many different ways to make a Flying Geese quilt block. You can use specialty rulers including flying geese rulers, start with half-square triangles, paper piece them, and more. I find this is the easiest of the different methods – the no waste method.

Why is this quilt block called Flying Geese?

The center of the rectangular block is a larger triangle (the goose), with two smaller triangles on each side (the sky). The flying geese block is twice as wide as it is high on the flying geese quilt block. When sewn together, they look like the formation of geese in flight.

Here is a fabric layout to make the no waste flying geese quilt block:

This technique is super simple and easy — and you can make the flying geese any size you’d like (or need) – 4 at a time. Quickly and easily make a flock of geese!

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Take the finished size of the block that you’d like to have for your project. Each set of squares (one large and four small) makes four finished flying geese. Cut the larger square 1-1/4″ larger than the finished width of the block. Cut the 4 smaller squares 7/8″ larger than the finished height. With the examples below, you can see how to calculate just what you need to cut to make flying geese blocks in any size.

Flying Geese Block Calculator

The formula is: for the larger, middle triangle, cut one square the finished block width PLUS 1-1/4″. For the smaller edge triangles, cut four squares the finished block height PLUS 7/8″ .

Here are some standard sizes of flying geese blocks and the cutting chart:

Four (4) Flying Geese Blocks

How to Make No Waste Flying Geese Quilt Block

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

The flying geese quilt block is a rectangular block that is twice as wide as it is tall. This is my favorite method, creating no waste. These flying geese units start with one large and four smaller squares to make four identical flying geese blocks.

The flying geese block is a basic quilting block and can be used alone or in combination with other blocks to form more complex quilt blocks, such as the Sawtooth Star Quilt Block.

For this tutorial, we are making a finished 4-inch x 2-inch flying geese block. See the cutting chart above for different sizes.

Materials

To make 4 finished flying geese that are each 4" x 2" cut as follows:
One (1) 5-1/4 inch square
Four (4) 2-7/8 inch squares
Thread

Tools

Rotary cutter
Rotary cutting mat
Sewing machine
Iron & pressing mat or ironing board
Quilter's acrylic ruler
Marking pen or pencil, I like a Frixion pen
Pins

Instructions

Cut your fabrics. For a 4" x 2" finished flying geese, cut the larger fabric square at 5-1/4" and four small pieces of fabric squares at 2-7/8". Rule of thumb: Cut your larger square 1-1/4" larger than the finished size and the smaller squares 7/8" larger than the finished size. See notes below.
Turn the smaller squares over and mark diagonally a line with either a chalk marker, Frixion pen or other removable marker on the wrong side of the fabric.
Place two of your smaller squares on opposite corners on the larger square, right sides together, matching edges and lining up your drawn diagonal lines.
Using the 1/4" foot on your sewing machine (Bernina is #37 or #57), sew 1/4" on both sides of the drawn line.
Turn your piece around and sew 1/4" from the other side of the marked line.
Cut down the center of your marked line, forming two pieces.

Press seams to your preference. See our post on pressing if you want to learn more.
Take your other two small squares and place one on each big triangle point with your marked line perpendicular to the seam line.
Again, sew 1/4" from the side of the line.
Turn and sew 1/4" from the other side of the marked line. Cut along the marked line.
Press, and you have 4 finished flying geese!

Notes

TIP: When sewing your flying geese quilt blocks together, sew with the pointed side up so that it is easy to adjust your sewing line to just above the point of the triangle for perfect seams. Sewing the blocks together

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Tips and Ideas for Flying Geese Blocks

Cut your fabric scraps into the sizes above and make scrap quilts or use them for a scrappy background for a quilt.
Make several big blocks for a table runner.
Combine flying geese quilt blocks with other blocks to create a modern quilt pattern.
Use a flying geese block as your quilt label. Write your name, quilt title and date in the large triangle. Start with the large square in a light solid color so it is easy to see the quilt information.
Switch the direction of the arrows to add more visual interest and movement to your finished quilt.

The Flying Geese is a classic quilt block. I find this an easy way to make several blocks at once, and it has become one of my favorite quilt blocks.

Try different fabrics and combinations. It’s a great way to use up your fabric stash with no fabric waste. Most traditional methods end up trimming and wasting fabric.

Browse through more quilting inspiration on Create Whimsy. Check out all of our free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy. Also, check out our article that covers popular quilt patterns.