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curved quilting

Two Ways to Quilt a Quilt with Flying Geese

Learn two ways to quilt Flying Geese blocks: echo the seams with straight lines or stitch continuous curved arcs through the triangles.

By ThatPainter Team 2 min read
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For a Flying Geese quilt, choose between echoing the piecing with straight lines or stitching curved arcs through the triangles. The straight design follows the block’s angular seams; the curved design adds arcs inside the shapes. Both approaches use a walking foot, a prepared quilt sandwich, and a test swatch. The instructions below are based on AllPeopleQuilt’s tutorial, published January 26, 2018, and identify Trina Kirkvold as the machine-quilter.

Choose the quilting design

Design Look Marking and stitch route
Straight-line echo Angular lines echo the seams of the Flying Geese piecing. Mark lines about 1/4 inch inside the seam lines. Stitch along the triangles, connecting sections through seams and rotating the quilt sandwich as needed.
Curved lines Arcs create a curved contrast within the triangular shapes. Mark paths through the blocks. Pivot between sections; the route through a block is intended to be continuous.

The tutorial describes both methods but does not compare their speed, difficulty, or results across different machines and materials. Choose according to the look you want and the stitching route you are comfortable managing.

Prepare the quilt sandwich and machine

For either design, layer the quilt top, batting, and backing into a quilt sandwich. Install a walking foot, use a new machine needle, and thread the machine and bobbin with 50-weight, 100% cotton thread. Check that a walking foot is compatible with your particular sewing machine before buying one.

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Test the thread, needle, and tension combination, along with stitch length, on a small quilt-sandwich swatch before quilting the project. This lets you check how the setup stitches on your own materials.

#1 Best Overall
Creative Grids Ultimate Flying Geese Tool Quilt Ruler – CGRDH4 – Made in USA, 8-1/2in x 8-1/2in, Non-Slip Grip Acrylic Quilting, Sewing, Crafting, Patchwork Ruler & Template
  • Made in the USA with high quality acrylic and precision measurements ensuring accuracy for your quilting, sewing, patchwork, and crafting projects.
  • Creative Grids exclusive non-slip grip allows you to easily slide the ruler over the fabric until positioned correctly. Then, when slight pressure is applied, the grip holds the ruler in place, eliminating slipping while you cut.
  • Easy to read markings.
  • Cutting instructions for eight different sizes are printed right on the tool along with their finished sizes.
  • Comes with fully illustrated step by step instructions for two different methods.

Option 1: Quilt a straight-line echo

Mark the lines

Using an acrylic ruler and a water-soluble marker or chalk, mark each triangle about 1/4 inch inside its seam lines. These marks set the echo lines alongside the piecing rather than directly on the seams.

Stitch and rotate as needed

Begin at the upper corner of a light triangle. Follow its horizontal mark, pivot to the diagonal, and continue along the marked route through the larger triangle and into adjacent sections. Rotate the quilt sandwich when needed to keep the next section accessible. The tutorial recommends minimizing thread cuts as you move between sections. Baste any remaining unstitched edges.

Rank #2
Ultimate Flying Geese Quilting Rulers, Versatile Template for Multiple Block Sizes, Durable Acrylic Trimming Tool for Accurate Patchwork & Sewing
  • 8-in-1 Versatility: Effortlessly create eight different finished sizes ranging from 1/2 * 1 inch to 4 * 8 inches. With all cutting requirements printed directly on the ruler, you can skip the math and get straight to sewing.
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  • Flat & Stable Cutting Alignment Crafted from premium, heavy-duty acrylic that sits perfectly flat on your cutting mat. The rigid profile provides a steady, even edge to guide your rotary cutter or shears, ensuring a uniform and secure press over your fabric layers for highly accurate cutting.
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Option 2: Quilt curved lines

Mark paths through the blocks

Mark the curved quilting paths through each Flying Geese block. The arcs sit within the triangles rather than tracing the angular seam lines.

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Pivot through a continuous route

Start at a lower corner of a light triangle and stitch the path. Pivot to repeat the route on the other light triangle, then stitch the arcs in the larger triangle. Leave the needle down when pivoting, and repeat the path across the top; baste any remaining unstitched edges.

Rank #3
Xuhal Flying Geese Ruler 5.5 X 10.5 Inch, Acrylic Quilting Template
  • The product includes: You will receive one Flying Goose patchwork ruler. No need to manually calculate the fabric size for each Flying Goose patch; Simply align the ruler with the markings to cut, significantly reducing the difficulty for beginners and improving patchwork efficiency
  • Multi-size Compatibility: Covering a size range from 1.5 inches to 10.5 inches, it accurately matches different sizes of Flying Goose patchwork pieces, accommodating the size requirements of various patchwork projects such as quilts and cushions
  • Reliable Material: Made of acrylic material, the laser-engraved markings are clear, wear-resistant, and have smooth, burr-free edges. It offers high measurement and cutting accuracy and is not easily deformed or broken, suitable for long-term use. Ensuring the accuracy of your quilting, sewing, patchwork, and handicraft projects
  • Multi-functional Compatibility: In addition to the core Flying Goose patchwork, the markings can also help mark commonly used 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch seam allowances in patchwork, suitable for handicrafts. Suitable for DIY, sewing, and other fabric craft creations
  • A sewing helper: This product makes quilting a flying goose pattern a breeze. Highly recommended for all sewing enthusiasts. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced quilter, you can easily get started

AllPeopleQuilt explains that “What appears to be several curved lines is one continuous line of stitching.”

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Supplies named in the tutorial

  • Walking foot compatible with your sewing machine
  • New machine needle
  • 50-weight, 100% cotton thread for the machine and bobbin
  • Acrylic ruler
  • Water-soluble marker or chalk
  • Quilt-sandwich swatch for testing the machine setup

AllPeopleQuilt’s Flying Geese quilting tutorial was published January 26, 2018.

Best Value
Bequilter Ultimate Flying Geese Quilting Rulers
  • Versatile Tool: The Bequilter Ultimate Flying Geese Quilting Rulers is a specialized quilting ruler designed for creating precise flying geese units.
  • Dimensions: 8.5''x 8.5‘’
  • Durable Construction: Made of high-quality materials, ensuring long-lasting use and accuracy for your quilting projects.
  • Easy-to-Follow Guidelines: Clearly marked lines and measurements on the ruler facilitate accurate cutting and piecing of flying geese blocks.
  • Create eight different finished sizes from 1 x 2 to 4 x 8 inches - the cutting requirements for each size is printed right on the tool.
Rank #4
Bloc Loc Flying Geese Quilting Ruler Set #1 Contains 1-1/2” x 3”, 2” x 4”, 3” x 6”, 4” x 8” Finished Size for Quilters
  • Trim and correct every time with Bloc Loc’s patented groove!
  • FG ruler trims 90% faster than a flat ruler.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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