Tutorial: Flying Geese with Directional Print
Flying Geese with Directional Print
(using Four-at-a-Time Method)
If you love the four-at-a-time method of making flying geese, but you’re scared to use directional print–I’ve got you!
You can absolutely use that gorgeous print you've been saving when making flying geese. For me, I needed to slow down and double check each step! At least until I felt confident 😅
When using the four-at-a-time method for flying geese, you’ll be turning your fabrics, and sometimes it gets confusing when using directional prints! While rotating the fabrics, remember that some flying geese will be upside down, vertical, and horizontal. This is perfect if you’re making flying geese for a star block. Then you’ll need those four directions!
But if you’re wanting them to all go in the same direction, you may not want to use four-at-a-time method.
The Four-at-a-Time Method
Here’s the basic process:
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Cut:
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1 large square (main “goose” fabric)
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4 small squares (background fabric)
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I first placed my small squares in opposite corners of the large square, and I folded back one corner to make sure the direction is going the way I prefer as if I had sewn down the middle. For me, I wanted my prints to go vertically. Both of these small squares will be placed with the same orientation.
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Draw a diagonal line corner to corner on the small squares.
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Stitch ¼" on both sides of the diagonal line
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Cut down the center → now you have 2 units
- Press the flying geese open.
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Add another small square to each unit. First, test the direction of the print before marking a diagonal line. For me, the direction of the print is opposite of what I did in step 2. If it isn't going in the right direction when you test look, then rotate the fabric 90 degrees.
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Stitch again on both sides of the diagonal using ¼” seam.
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Cut again on the drawn line → now you have 4 flying geese.
Fast. Efficient. A little chaotic with directional prints.
What if it ends up being too complicated?
I’ve been there!
Rather than aiming for perfection, I sometimes lean into variation.
I like the look of scrappy quilts, and having directional prints that vary in their orientation. It's the perfect way to add a scrappy look. I love variety over uniformity! It also helps alleviate a lot of pressure too. Whew.
If you’re worrying about too much variation, then mix in solids or low volume prints to help break up the scrappy look.
Fabric used are Pure Solids and Adventale (designed by Katarina Roccella) for Art Gallery Fabrics.