Quilting Simplified—Folded Flying Geese
Half-square triangles and bias edges are not needed to make the Flying Geese quilt pattern. Use folded triangles or Prairie Points to create this traditional design. Using squares, folds, clever pressing, and columns, quilting couldn’t be simpler.
In this blog post, I’ll show you the basic technique for assembly so that you may incorporate this easy Flying Geese design in your quilts. For directions to create the quilt pictured above, see Folded Flying Geese in my book, Quick Column Quilts.
For a streaming video demonstration on how to create the Flying Geese design with three easy folds, watch Sewing With Nancy Quick Column Quilts (Part Three).
Cutting Directions:
- Background or columns: Cut 2-1/2″ wide to 6-1/2″ strips from beige background fabric
- Flying Geese: Cut 2″ to 6″ squares from five to six different colors of fabric.
Fold and Stitch Techniques
- Press all cut squares in half matching wrong sides.
- Meet the folded corners to the cut edge at the center. Press.
Stitch Flying Geese to Columns
- Use a Folded Flying Geese unit that is 1/2″ narrower than the corresponding column width.
- Mark the placement on the column.
- Align the cut edge of the Folded Flying Geese unit to the placement mark.
- Fold the column strip, right sides together, at each marked placement line. The Folded Flying Geese unit is sandwiched between the fabrics.
- Press.
- Stitch 1/4″ from the fold.
- Open and press.
- Repeat these steps to add many Flying Geese to a single column.
Arrange and Stitch the Columns
- Measure and trim each column to a uniform length.
- Join the columns together using 1/4″ seam allowances.
- Stitch down the center of the Flying Geese units with monofilament thread to secure them to the column.
Note from Nancy: When quilting this Folded Flying Geese project, make certain to choose a quilting design that will maintain the integrity of the dimensional fold.
Watch Folded Flying Geese online.
To watch on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone, download the app.
I’m giving away a copy of Quick Column Quilts! Post a comment telling me if you’ve ever used any or wanted to try dimensional quilting techniques. A random winner will be drawn on February 24, 2015.
Bye for now,
Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswoman, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s blog at NancyZieman.com/blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in sewing, quilting, & creating.
Content in this feed is © copyright 2015 by Nancy Zieman and may not be republished without written permission. You’re welcome to forward the email to a friend or colleague but it’s not okay to add the RSS feed automatically as content on a blog or other website.
Joyce Frazier
I have used prairie points on the edge of a small purse. It really set it off. I would love to win this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
Cheryl Dimiceli
Hi Nancy,
I have never done dimensional quilting. It has peaked my interest but something always seemed to hold me back. Your technique certainly makes it appear so easy to follow! I think I see a dimensional quilt in my future… 🙂
Cheryl
Betty Harden
Of my goodness, I have wanted this booklet since I saw it on Sewing with Nancy and the opportunity to win it is such a wonderful surprise. This was lovely since my world is covered in 2+ inches of sleet this morning and here in North Carolina, it makes one want to sew on their quilt. I am not unlucky but can hope I get lucky on this one. Thanks Nancy for the chance to win. Happy sewing.
ROBIN
I have only made one baby quilt (for my grandson) that was a bear quilt and each bear had floppy ears. This dimensional flying geese pattern would also make a fun baby quilt. Thank you!
Diane Flynn
I love trying new things in my quilting. This book looks just like something that would bring something new to my quilting.
Joyce
I have never tried any dimensional quilting techniques. I am new to quilting, so am eager to try most anything. There is so much out there that I don’t know. I learn something new everyday.
Laurie
Easy piecie! Thanks Nancy!
Becky Payne
I love flying geese, but have not made that quilt. I would love to make one with this pattern.
Deb
Nancy, your newsletters are priceless! I always find something helpful and interesting in each one. I would love
to try my hand at dimensional quilting and this book looks like a winner. Thank you for the chance to win!
Liz
I’ve never tried dimensional quilting but would love to learn more about incorporating it into a quilt especially if it makes an established technique even easier to do. Looking forward to watching the video lesson.
Leslie
Several years ago, I made pot holders using the dimensional bow tie quilting technique. It was fun seeing the pattern appear with just a few simple sew lines. I look forward to trying this flying geese pattern. I love the way all the different sizes of flying geese come together in the column quilt.
Lou Ann Rumsey
Would love to have this. Watch your program every Saturday morning at 8 AM. Love all your tips.
Mary Ann Plance
Ms Nancy I would love this book on dimensional quilting. I really enjoy making quilts that are playful.
P.S. We finally made enough noise about our sewing shows on PBS and they brought you back!!! Yeah
Marg McKinnon
I’d like to try dimensional quilting techniques. I love the wallhanging using Folded Flying Geese. I enjoy watching your sewing videos.
Vicki H
About 12 years ago, I made a baby quilt that had 3D Bow Tie blocks.
Sandy K
I have done any dimensional quilting yet. I would love to try your flying geese method.
pat sendelbach
I love to sew and this would give me a new challenge.
Kim Harrington
This is one of my favorite column quilts! Would love to have the book.
Carol
I have got to try this quilting technique. Maybe do a block and incorporate into the BOM project!
Katy
I have used prairie points before in borders, but never as you have demonstrated in Folded Flying Geese. I would be so excited to win a copy of your book.
Nancy Glisson
I tried to make dimensional bow tie blocks on the surger but i didn’t do very well.
carla bynum
Hi!!!! I love how this technique looks!!!! I have not done any of this technique yet but would love to try!!!! I would love to have this book!!!! Thanks for the fun give away!!!
Karen L.
I have made prairie points and dimensional flowers on quilts. I like the way they add dimension to a wall hanging in particular.
MaryAnn Gisewhite
The quilting techinque looks intriguing. I am always looking for a quick and easy way to quilt. I am also looking for new ways. I am a fairly new quilter-just 3 years of quilting bliss-but I have sewn clothing and home decor for many, many years. I am interested in new techniques. I would love to win this book and send pictures of my “masterpiece” to you! Thank you for this opportunity.
Lorij
I’ve not tried this flying geese method but, I have made some using the one seam method. I’ll have to try this one. Be nice to win.
Yvonne
I’ve never tried dimensional quilting. I’m interested in trying it ~ this blog / tutorial certainly showcases how beautiful the Folded Flying Geese can be in a quilt. Love the colors and the design. Thank you again for sharing your expertise with us.
Mary J Magnus
I like this method and am definitely going to give it a try!
Kathy Combs
I love this pattern. I have not made anything with 3D effects, but this is one I am adding to my to do list. I am now working on my 3rd quilt!
I saw your program on Television for the Column Quilts. It was great. I record all of your shows, and watch them over and over again. Thanks for showing us the EASY way to do things.
From a Beginner Quilter!
Kathy
Susie Furgason
I have made a few flying geese…haven’t conquered them…yet. I haven’t given up. This is a great pattern and a great book. I have seen this book before and the column patterns are intriguing.
Sharon
I made a few quilts many years ago, and I’m just now returning to this beautiful art form. I’d love to try a new (to me!) technique. Thank you!
Marg
I am very happy to find Nancy’s blog, Newsletter, and You Tube
Lessons! Now I am ready to try Flying Geese! Your book looks
wonderful. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Tina
This technique looks doable to me. Thanks for the chance, I would really like to try it.
Esther Hobson
I love the column quilt idea.
I plan to try this idea this year.
You always have such good ideas,
thank you.
Pat
I have always wanted to try dimensional quilting but have been afraid to do so. I believe this technique will give me the courage to try. Thanks, Nancy.
Carol F
I haven’t tried dimensional quilting yet. I love how these quilt looks, I just might have to do this one. It looks like a good child’s quilt.
Judy Marketos
Interesting technique! Is there any way you could make columns, quilt the columns, and then sew them together after quilting?
Nancy Zieman
Hi Judy, So glad you asked about quilting the columns and then sewing them together. That technique is shared in Chapter 12 of Quick Column Quilts. http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/quick+column+quilts+book.do?extid=fbnz&code=NNOADV-1310
Thunder
I have done some star blocks that had dimensional points. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
Idonna Tollefson
I would love to win this book. I used dimensional flying geese previously but was not happy with them as I did not think to sew them down the center. This is a wonderful way to keep the geese flying. Happy sewing.
Joyce W
I was watching your Quick Column Quilt program on our local PBS station on Saturday and the phone rang. My 86 year old mother called to ask if I was watching the program. We both found it very interesting and hope to try your techniques. Thank you for continuing to present such great programing and the tutorials on your blog.
Kathy
I have not tried dimensional quilting – but it looks very intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win the book!
Lori Morton
How cool! No..have not tried dimensional quilting…but I looove Prairie Points! & would love to do some on a quilt. 🙂
Would love this book…I watched when your program did the Column quilts…and has been on my wish List for looong time. Thanks for chance to win a copy! 🙂
Donna Cambra
I have only done one dimensional quilt block before and that was a cathedral window with folded out sides. I am intrigued by the technique you posted here and will try it and share with friend in my quilting group. I would love to try more and your book sounds like the way to go . Thank you for the fabulous quilting support over the years. – donna
Phyllis Brogdon
I would really like to win this book. I always enjoy new ideas in quilting. This book would be so very inspiring to have. Thank you for sharing the great ideas you have. Blessings to you for all the work you do to help others.
Vickie Graveline
I am beginning to enjoy more of the modern-looking quilts. I would love to try some dimensional sewing.
Carol K.
I have never used dimensional quilting techniques. I love the concept behind the column quilts almost as much as I love the finished products. Beautiful and ingenious! Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and techniques!
Delaine
I have to say that I have never tried dimensional quilting, but I would love to give it a whirl. Thanks!
Pat
Love working with Prairie Points – never thought to use them for flying geese….thanks for the information. Love to be in the drawing for your book – watched the programs on PBS.
Starla
Being fairly new at this, I’m still trying everything.
Carol Gowan
I’ve done prarie points and a 3D dahlia quilt, but never this technique. It will be on me list to try!
Karen Krula
Every time I see a “3-D” pattern I try to convince myself that I could do that. Have I tried it yet? No. Love the texture it adds, for sure. Have had some major shoulder problems this past year and am unsure how much longer I will be able to quilt but am putting this on the top of the bucket list. Love your shows watch them on 3 different public tv stations every Saturday – have many of your books – keep it up, Nancy – appreciate all you have taught me (even at the old age of 72).
chris
what a fun idea! thank you for the inspiration. I’ve tried adding dimension to quilts b4, but not like this. You make it look so easy. I’m going to give it a try now. and thanks for the opportunity to win your book.
Martha
Never done dimension done dimensional sewing. I have done prairie points and flying geese in small craft projects. Would like to try a small quilt.
Chris Herron
Have not tried this technique but have it now on my list of things to try! Love the column technique of making a quilt.
Mom C
Slick. I’ve done prairie points for the edge of baby quilts but never in the body of a quilt. Really slick. Thanks.
Mom C
Slick. I have used prairie points on the binding of baby quilts but never in the body of a quilt. Really slick. Thanks.
Dot Shimamoto
I love the look of flying geese but don’t like all the precise stitching. Your method looks much easier. I like your innovative ideas. Thanks for the chance to win your book.
Judy G
I had not given much thought to making a dimensional quilt until reading your post. Now it is way up on my bucket list of designs to try. Thank you, yet again, for an inspiring article.
Mildred Squyres
I enjoyed the video of the quick columns quilts. The more I see them the more I like them and they are so easy and quick.
It gives me all kinds of ideas for all different colors to use. I may just have to make one.
You do have some great ideas. Thanks for sharing them.
Mildred Squyres
Ell
These geese look easy and great. I would like to try this method.
Berenice
My mother-in-law made my daughter a baby blanket using a method similar to this, but she never showed me how. I am sure this is the technique! Will definitely be trying it!
Marty
I’ve used prairie-point edges on a wall hanging but never on a larger project. Love the columns quilts!
sharon fleming
I love this method! I have wanted to make a flying geese quilt, but dreaded doing it the standard way. Now I have no fear. Thanks so much!
Kelly Sasman
Yes I have a UFO that was to use folded PP but I still never got that far on it yet! LOL!
Diana G
I have never done dimensional quilting and would love to try it on a column quilt. I would love to do prairie points !
Thanks for the chance to win !
Mary Wippold
When I first got seriously into quilting about 25 years ago one of the first projects I made was a table runner with 3-dimensial flying geese. I still have and use that table runner.
Logene McHale
I have never done dimensional quilting.I am interested and would like to try it.
Linda k.
I’ve never tried dimensional quilting but I’m really intrigued by the whole idea and can’t wait to give it a try!
Janice King
The closest to dimensional quilting I’ve attempted is using Prairie Points around a baby quilt! As Flying Geese have always intimidated me, I would love to try this method. Thanks for the giveaway!
Rebei G
I am a maker of “donation quilts” for a local program, and am always looking for a way to use my scraps, AND simple quilts. I’m not sure if this qualifies for simples, but it certainly would be fun to make. I have done a number of different column quilts and love the way they look.
Karen
Looks like a very neat idea…can’t wait to try it!
Donna Fecteau
One of my first quitling projects was a Christmas wall hanging that I made for my grandchildren. It consisted of 25 folded envelope blocks and each envelope ended up with a message for the grandkids counting down to christmas. The first few were rough but after that I really got the hang of it. They loved it and they still hang it up every year.
Dawn Walton
I use praire points on dish towels, what a great idea to make them flying geese and put in column quilts. Would love this book to try some column quilts. Looks fast and easy and that is what I need
Dawn
Phyllis McCord
Thanks Nancy for sharing your wonderful ideas
Mary rogas
I would certainly like to try this technique , have never done prairie points
KayZee
I’ve made a 3-d bow-tie baby quilt and an orange-peel quilt-as-you-go baby quilt, but would enjoy trying your flying-geese method. Thanks for the chance to win your book.
Sheila Johnston
Just started back quilting love the look of these flying geese would love to try this technique
Kathy Luehrs
I have used it in a smaller piece – a table runner – but it is on my wish list to use it on a quilt
Candace W
I have not made a quilt before. You make it look simple! The book is a great reference!
connie b
I have used dimensional piecing in some of my wall quilts. Trying new techniques is a passion of mine. You never know if you will like something if you don’t try it at least once. Always on the lookout for new things to try, the book would be wonderful.
Caroline
I’ve done paper piecing flying geese,,, really easy and precise,,, maybe this will be easier….
Sharon Orednick
I have used the prairie point as the edge finish of small quilts and as small blocks for stars on placemats. But the most enjoyable was the origami rose on a baby quilt, of course my daughter wanted it as she was an exchange student to Japan and loved making just about anything that was origami.
Barbara Palmatier
I have loved your column quilts since you first came out with them, I did start a baby one when I saw you do them. I started it but now the child is almost 4 and it is too young for him. Will have to find another baby to give it to.
Now you have some new ones. Aw yes column quilts and flying geese. Two of my favorite things. How can I resist? Looks like fun. Will have to try that one.
Nancy
I have seen the dimensional quilting, but have not done any yet !!
thanks for the giveaway.
Alma Tilley
I have watched and enjoyed you for so many years. Now , I am retired and I am a beginning quilter, I am leaning so many techniques, it is keeping me busy . There a lot of “Samples” and small beginnings in my life . It is time to put it altogether and do something big. Keep up the good work.
Irene
I have made several quilts using dimensional techniques. There is a bow tie block and a different flying geese method that I have used too. It gives a quilt some extra interest.
Marlyn
I’ve made the one seam Flying Goose, which gives you little pockets on the bias edges of the Flying Goose. This will be another method to make a dimensional Goose. Thanks for the chance to win.
Carol
I’ve made a few flying geese squares in the past, and I certainly need to perfect my technique. The more modern quilt projects look like just the things to do to perfect my technique.
Nancy Hilderbrand
New to quilting and have yet to try dimensional quilting but would love to win your book.
Jodi Bowlden
I have not done any 3-d quilting yet. but love the surprise effect that you get with them. I would like to try one, since you break it down so it looks easier than it looks.
Donna B
I haven’t tried 3D quilting but would love to win the book so I could learn how.
Patti Z.
I’m self taught in quilting, having watched your shows and reading many books. I’ve never made dimensional quilts before, so winning a copy of your book would be terrific! Thanks for all your inspiration!
Jennifer Fried
Oh Nancy, I love this one! I watched this on PBS and wrote it out so I could make the flying folded geese. I was able to do this because I taped it first and went at a pace that I could make the notes. So glad to review this again. I would love this book…I do better with hard copy that I can go back to as I am working on the project. Thanks for having this on your blog. With Loyalty, Jennifer Fried
Debra
I put prairie points on one quilt many years ago and have not repeated that process. Your technique for using them to make flying geese is Genius! …and great timing, as we are doing a quilt with flying geese borders at our block of the month club at our local quilt shop in April. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Valerie
I’ve used a dimensional edge on an inner border. Kinda like a flat piping, but it gave a great contrast?
Valerie
I’ve used a dimensional edge on an inner border. Kinda like a flat piping, but it gave a great contrast!
Valerie
I’ve used a dimensional edge on an inner border. Kinda like a flat piping, but it gave a great contrast!,!!
Janet Cross
Are some of those geese right side (whatever that means!) and some upside down? Meaning, the open fold is up on some, down on others? That’s what it looks like . . .
Love those quilts! I’ve made a couple of samples for our shop, and people love them and are buying your book.
Nancy Zieman
Hi Janet, You’re correct. Some of the flying geese have the fold up and some are down for added interest. Thanks for making quilts from my book. I’d love to see photos. Please email them to [email protected]