Flying Geese

[Marti O.]

I have a question. It is not necessarily related to the BOM but has to do with the instructions for making the flying geese. Is there a formula for calculating how much bigger to cut the pieces so that you have enough to cut the finished unit down to the size you want? I think that is a very good technique and have a need to use it in a quilt I am working on.

Thanks - Marti

[Marti O.]

Good question--I hope someone will have an answer.

[Janet S.]

I have a question. It is not necessarily related to the BOM but has to do with the instructions for making the flying geese. Is there a formula for calculating how much bigger to cut the pieces so that you have enough to cut the finished unit down to the size you want? I think that is a very good technique and have a need to use it in a quilt I am working on.

Thanks - Marti

The method I have figured out is, whatever FINISHED size FG unit you want, add on 1 3/4" to the large square, and 1 1/4" to the 4 small squares. For example, if you want a finished 2" x 4" FG unit, cut the large square 5 3/4" ( 4" + 1 3/4") and the 4 small squares 3 1/4" (2" + 1 1/4"). Of course you will waste almost a quarter inch of fabric on each side, but that has never bothered me. I prefer a little more fabric to trim down to get the perfect size unit.

[Susan B.]

The method I have figured out is, whatever FINISHED size FG unit you want, add on 1 3/4" to the large square, and 1 1/4" to the 4 small squares. For example, if you want a finished 2" x 4" FG unit, cut the large square 5 3/4" ( 4" + 1 3/4") and the 4 small squares 3 1/4" (2" + 1 1/4"). Of course you will waste almost a quarter inch of fabric on each side, but that has never bothered me. I prefer a little more fabric to trim down to get the perfect size unit.[/quote]


I've wondered this for years. Thank you, Janet!

[Marti O.]

Thanks - heading to the cutting table.

[Marti O.]

Thanks Janet!

[ANNE E.]

I have made the flying geese unit and it is a success.
I have never used starch before but I am using it for this project.....well what a difference it makes, I love it.
Anne

[Janet S.]

I have made the flying geese unit and it is a success.
I have never used starch before but I am using it for this project.....well what a difference it makes, I love it.
Anne

YAAAAYYYY!!! I love a good success story!!

[Gerlinde E.]

What kind of starch are you using?

[Janet S.]

I'm not sue who you were asking, but I use a mixture of 50% Sta-Flo and 50% water, and put it in a spray bottle. I have found it is less expensive and it flakes less. I buy it at the grocery store in a half gallon bottle. You can also use just the aerosol cans of starch you get at the grocery store, but you really need to let the starch soak in the fabric before you iron it, or it flakes.

[ANNE E.]

I have been using Faultless but have almost run out so I bought some spray starch from the supermarket...UK. I will try it out.
I had some starch in a bottle .....well I don't know how old it was but it had solidified when I went to dilute it ops: :lol:
We can't get Sta- Flo over here but I will look out for some starch that you mix yourself.
I have finished my 3 blocks I just have to decide on the sashing.
I am really enjoying this project.
Anne

[ANNE E.]

Ann, I use the starch from Lakeland, it comes in powder form, but is relatively easy to mix up and then transfer to a spray bottle - just don't keep it in the bottle too long or it gets a bit niffy (guess how I know :wink: ) You do need to do a bit of maths to reduce the quantities down to managable amounts though - it works out at about 1/2 a scoop to 1 pt of water rather than making it by the gallon

[ANNE E.]

Thanks Rosemary,
I will look out for it next time I am in Lakeland, I think Robert Dyas may sell something in powder form as well.
Thanks again
Anne

[Rita C.]

There is also the Bonnie Hunter way which makes the exact size you want with the companion angle ruler and the easy angle ruler. Here's a video that explains how. I have used this method a lot and it works really well. Once you have your seam allowance at exactly 1/4" it works like a charm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6f6X...4MjHClOhUEpv0g

[Carol H.]

I LOVE this method of making flying geese! I would have never figured that out (with the single big square and the 3 smaller squares) on my own, but my FG made this way are just perfect! Yay!!!! I'll have to copy down the "formula" so I can use it in other applications. I've had some wonky FG in the past and it drove me nuts, but that shouldn't happen anymore with this method. Thanks, Janet! I'm loving this BOM!

Carol