Flying Geese Around a Square quilt block
Four flying geese circling a center square, with a small plain square at the end of each goose.
Cutting chart by block size
6" Flying Geese Around a Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 4 1/4" × 4 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
8" Flying Geese Around a Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 5 1/4" × 5 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" | – |
10" Flying Geese Around a Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 6 1/4" × 6 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3 3/8" × 3 3/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3" × 3" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 5 1/2" × 5 1/2" | – |
12" Flying Geese Around a Square (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 1 square | 7 1/4" × 7 1/4" | 4 triangles (cut twice on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3 7/8" × 3 7/8" | 8 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 6 1/2" × 6 1/2" | – |
How to make a 12" Flying Geese Around a Square block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut twice" on both diagonals. Each gives four triangles with the long edge on the straight grain: these are the large triangles in flying geese and hourglass units.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 4 × 4 grid, and each cell finishes at 3". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 12 1/2" now and 12" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Flying Geese Around a Square quilt (12" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 3 × 4 (12) | 42" × 54" | 3/4 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 1/2 yd | 1 yd | 3 1/2 yd |
| Lap | 4 × 5 (20) | 54" × 66" | 1 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 1/4 yd |
| Throw | 5 × 6 (30) | 66" × 78" | 1 3/8 yd | 2 1/2 yd | 1 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 5 yd |
| Twin | 6 × 8 (48) | 78" × 102" | 2 1/4 yd | 4 1/8 yd | 1 5/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| Queen | 8 × 8 (64) | 102" × 102" | 3 yd | 5 1/2 yd | 2 1/4 yd | 1 7/8 yd | 9 1/4 yd |
| King | 9 × 9 (81) | 114" × 114" | 3 7/8 yd | 6 7/8 yd | 2 7/8 yd | 2 1/8 yd | 10 1/4 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 12" Flying Geese Around a Square blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 30 | 66" × 78" | – |
| With sashing | 20 | 60" × 74" | Sashing 7/8 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 15 pieced + 15 plain | 66" × 78" | Plain blocks 2 yd |
| On point | 18 | 57" × 74" | Setting triangles 1 1/2 yd |
See Flying Geese Around a Square in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Flying Geese Around a Square block need?
Three: main, background and accent. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.
What size pieces do I cut for a 12 inch Flying Geese Around a Square?
1 main square at 7 1/4" × 7 1/4"; 4 background squares at 3 7/8" × 3 7/8"; 4 background squares at 3 1/2" × 3 1/2"; 1 accent square at 6 1/2" × 6 1/2".
How many Flying Geese Around a Square blocks for a lap quilt?
20 blocks at 12", set 4 by 5 with a 3" border, make a 54" × 66" quilt.
More flying geese blocks

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