Week 2 of the Aloha Ripple Quilt Along! (Download Pattern)
Now that we have all our pieces cut, it’s time to start making our units! This week we will be making Flying Geese units.
When I started out quilting, I was very nervous about make the Flying Geese unit, so I would opt to use two half square triangles and sew them together instead.
The benefit to using a Flying Geese, is that you don’t have a seam down the middle of your pretty fabric! Less seams equals less sewing! Each time you make them they get easier and easier.
For the Aloha Ripple Quilt we will be using both the 4 at 1 time No Waste Method and the 1 at a time method. See pattern for full directions.
Tips for flying geese:
Go slow when sewing for accurate seams.
Finger press your seams open before using your iron.
Press seams without steam if possible (Dry iron)
Flying Geese – 4 at 1 time No Waste Method
When you are making the Flying Geese with the 4 at 1 time no waste method, you will need 1 large Square and 4 little squares.
Large Square = the width of your finished geese + 1 1/4 inch
Small Squares = the height of your finished geese + 7/8 inch
So for example in this pattern the throw size quilt will have a Finished size geese that is 5 x 10 inches (unfinished 5 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches)
So we will need:
1 Large Square: 10 + 1 1/4 = 11 1/4 inch
4 Small Squares: 5 + 7/8 = 5 7/8 inch
Take your large square and 2 small squares.
With right sides of fabric facing each other, lay the two small squares on opposite corners.
Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally. Pin in place.
Sew a scant 1/4 inch from the drawn line on both sides. A scant 1/4 inch seam is a 1/4 inch that includes the width of your needle/thread. Some 1/4 inch feet will give you this.
Cut down the center line. Press seam to the attached triangles.
Lay 1 small square down on the corner, right sides of fabric facing each other.
Draw a line from one corner to the other diagonally.
Sew a scant 1/4 inch from your drawn line. Cut down the center and press toward the small triangles. I find these flying geese to be pretty accurate and only need a tiny bit of trimming.
Flying Geese – 1 at a Time Method
Take your (5 1/2 x 10 1/2 inch for throw) rectangle, lay 1 (5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch) square on top with right sides of fabric together.
Draw a diagonal line from one corner to the other. Stitch one thread width to the outside of the drawn line. You will want to butt your needle up to the outside of your drawn line when you are sewing (see the red line in the diagram). Cut 1/4 inch from your sewn line as shown below. Press toward the attached triangle.
You will attach the second small square to the other side with the same method. Press to the attached triangle. Trim if needed.
I hope you get the hang of making these flying geese units! They are a lot of fun to make and the design possibilities are endless!
Join me today (Tuesday Jan 23 rd) at 10:15 am PST (West Coast USA) for a LIVE video in the Facebook Group to go over tips and answer any questions.
Make sure to share a photo of this weeks step on social media with the hashtag #AlohaRippleQAL or join the Facebook Group and post a photo of all your flying geese!
Next week we will be making our Half Square Triangles!
Here is the full Quilt Along Schedule:
Starting January 2nd: Download Pattern – Select your fabric and post a photo!
Week 1: January 16th: Cut fabric
Week 2: January 23rd: Make the Flying Geese
Week 3: January 30th: Make the Half Square Triangles
Week 4: February 6th: Make the Center Block (1)
Week 5: February 13th: Make Corner Blocks A (2)
Week 6: February 20th: Make Corner Blocks B (2)
Week 7: February 27th: Make the Stacked Flying Geese blocks (4)
Week 8: March 6th: Assemble your Quilt Top
Week 9: March 13th: Baste, Quilt and Bind your Quilt!
Happy Quilting!
Andrea
