flying geese

[Mike E.]

Hi gang -
Just wondering (and maybe this has been covered already, but I couldn't find it) is anyone else using flying geese instead of the two half-square triangles next to each other in the star blocks and sawtooth star blocks? It does save a seam, but I didn't know if there was another reason for all the half-square triangles in the construction... I'd be interested in your opinions.
Open house at school tomorrow, so no work on this month's blocks until the weekend.
Best wishes,
Mike

[Frances L.]

Mike,
I'm putting each square in EQ6 to play with the colors and am using flying geese where possible. Several others are doing the same. I can't tell you if it makes much of a difference since my first set of blocks are still half square triangles and flying geese and are on my design wall.
Frances in Austin where it is cool. The high temps for the last 5 days have been in the mid 90s.

[Annis C.]

I'm guessing the half-square triangles make the instructions easier to write and are the best choice for different skill levels. I'm using flying geese and other style blocks whenever possible, but would have probably finished faster by using half-square triangles since I had to refigure all of the instructions.

[Annis C.]

Survey says.... YES! The reason the star blocks (and others) use half-square triangles instead of flying geese is that the instructions are easier to write, and the paper foundations are easier to draw up for a large set of half-square triangles, versus individual sets of flying geese. In my own blocks (i.e., not for a commercial BOM), I frequently draw up paper foundations such that I can sew blocks together a row at a time, versus sewing togeehr individual squares and flying geese or half-square triangle units. But explaining how to sew those would probably be a bit more difficult when dealing with varying skill levels. I just have to trust that people like you are smart and able to do work-arounds where I take the easy-writing route. Hooray for creative minds!
Sue Garman

[Kathryn S.]

Mike, I'm doing flying geese in the sawtooth stars, and also whenever it's possible in the 6 inch blocks. I just look at the photo at the front of the instructions for that month, and roughly draw out where the fabrics go. I'm getting really good at flying geese!

Kathy

[Kathryn S.]

Although it would be easier to just follow Sue's instructions for HSTs, I'm using flying geese where possible. With flying geese, you have fewer seams, so you will save fabric and will have less breaks in your fabric designs.

I made a lot of extra HSTs and am considering using them in my September border stars. If I do, then I'll have to take some creative license with these blocks. So far, I have pretty much been following Sue's pattern with the exception of substituting flying geese for some of the HSTs. However, I really like some of the creative spins other have made to this pattern and wonder why I didn't think of it. After watching Sue's September instructional video, I think she enjoys seeing those creative spins on her pattern too.

[Barbara B.]

Mike, I'm doing flying geese too in the sawtooth stars. The first month I did them HST then decided I'd prefer geese. That's why there's chocolate AND vanilla--do what you like!

Barbara

[Barbara B.]

I like chocolate and vanilla! :lol:

Jean in Windsor, ON

[Judith A.]

This is my first post. I am doing the BOM also. I love this design.
I would like to paper-piece my flying geese border with EQ6.
Does anyone know where I can find some instructions somewhere for creating and printing off a long strip of flying geese in EQ6? I have used EQ6 to make several quilts with strip piecing.

Judy Austin, in Virginia.

[Margo C.]

Welcome Judy!
You can open an EQ6 file and look at the top tool bar and click on the one that says "Watch A Video" when you roll your mouse over it. You will get a drop-down menu and can choose "Printing" and get another drop down menu that says "Foundation Patterns". I think that will answer your questions.
If you will wait until November, Sue's directions will include flying geese foundations for the flying geese border. If you want them for your blocks, you will need to print your own.
Good luck!

[Margo C.]

With the September Border Stars, I substituted corner setting triangles and flying geese, where possible, for the half square triangles. If you decide you want to do this, note that the setting triangles will need to be cut diagonally from (2) 2 3/8" and (2) 3 3/8" squares.

[Monica S.]

On March 28 regarding sawtooth stars, member Kathyst2 commented on some other posts and posted the following website: http://www.patchpieces.com/FlyingGeese.pdf adding ...It's an easy technique that avoids both the center seam and the waste.

I LOVE it!! :lol: and used it not only for the sawtooth squares, but also checked out all the border stars and substituted the seamless "flying geese" wherever possible. The only thing you needed to pay attention to was that this method gives you two "regular" flying geese sections and two reversed - what I mean is where you have two different fabric points in your border star points, you can only use this method if the points 'reverse' 2-blue/pink and 2-pink/blue. If all point colors face same direction it wont work.