I'm using this fast method for making Flying Geese units, 4 at a time -
- posted
18 years ago
I'm using this fast method for making Flying Geese units, 4 at a time -
"frood" wrote in news:24lTe.75723$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.southeast.rr.com:
Sorry... I used the Eleanor Burns method and ruler and had no problem with mine turning out... but it isn't very flexible as far as size. They do turn out a bit bigger so you can trim to perfection, so maybe increasing your square sizes would work for you.....
Jan
I double checked the math, and the sizes given are right. Have you checked your 1/4 seams? How's your pressing? (I see lots of quilts come in where the sewing was accurate but the pressing didn't open up the seam all the way and caused the final block to be off).
If all else fails, I recommend two margaritas and call me in the morning. ;-)
Maybe it's the pencil lines? You draw the center line and then the stitching lines (or not if you have a 1/4 inch foot) Before you cut them apart, slap a ruler down. The line it up so a line is on the drawn line. Does the next line 1/4 inch away fall exactly on top of the stitching line? If not, that could be your problem and times two on a block could really make a difference.
marcella
">I suspect you are making the infamous *Canada* Flying Geese and we all
They are NOT! You just gotta know how to say "Eh?!" in the proper context when dealing with them......... or at least you gotta put up with their annoying laughter when you inadvertently hit a goose poop on the golf course instead of your ball..... I suspect you are making the infamous *Canada* Flying Geese and we all know
Interesting! I just came up from my sewing room where I was making these same "geese". I found you really had to take a SCANT 1/4" seam and then they came out o.k.
Betty in WI
I used that method several years ago since I needed at least 100 geese for my outer border, but every 4th one was always off a bit. if I had to do that many over again, I would do paper piece strips of 8-10 at a time.
There was a post in the last week or two referring us to website with another fast method for making FG. Like a fool, I didn't save the URL and I'm sure I will want it. If anyone can provide the link, please do. I wanted to try the other method as I too have had difficulty getting my FG to the exact size. Yeah, using a very scant quarter inch does help. I recently did 48; only had to do about 54 to get 48 usable ones!
Susan aka Betsy Ross
This site
I saw that method in the current Fons&Porter magazine, and it looked so very different from how my brain works. I decided not to try it.
That one looks similar to the Eleanor Burns method, but I haven't tried either one, so I can't be sure. Thanks for posting it - I'm sure someone will want to give it a try!
It turns out this is the problem. I have one of those add-a-quarter, or quick-quarter what'sits that you put down on the fabric, corner to corner, then draw down the middle. I was using a dull pencil and drawing down either side to get my sewing lines. I just went and measured, and it was greater than 1/2" apart. Now I know what the problem is, I can fix it. I did do another set of FGs, using bigger squares, and then I could trim them down.
Now, the next problem. This will be used as part of a guild program, and I'll be handing out instructions to use this method (with permission from the author). Should I make a note that people need to make sure their sewing lines are exactly 1/2" apart, or should I have them make the squares bigger, to be trimmed to size?
I use the method described in Mary Sue Suit's book "All the Blocks Are Geese". It is basically the same as the Eleanor Burns method except you don't need a special ruler, and you can make any size geese. You trim each block to the exact size so never any problem with size. I recently pieced a wall hanging where the sashing and border had about 200 geese, some 1x2, others 1.5x3. Mary Sue's method worked just find.
Julia in MN
Wendy: In your instructions, give enough information so the piecers can solve their own problems. Just state: "the sewing lines need to be precise, *OR* the squares can be sewn a tad big and trimmed."
BTW: I have one of those same gadgets and find it can be inaccurate. So instead of marking the two sewing lines, I just mark one diagonal (cutting) line on the square and stitch 1/4" on either side. I do cut my squares at the full inch, rather that the 7/8" suggested.
PAT
frood wrote:
FWIW, I start with squares just a tad larger (like round up to the nearest .5") then can cut them down when trimming the ears off.
Works for me ;-)
)O( Anne in CA )O( "It's not having what you want; it's wanting what you've got." -- Sheryl Crow
Since my 1/4" foot is an edge-guide foot, I have a hard time getting accurate seams unless the guide runs along an edge of fabric. For sewing down the middle, I find it easier to draw lines. Of course, the lines have to be in the right spot!
:-) yeah..... I love Eleanor Burns techniques... but I have to admit a few of them I walk in blind faith and they work much to my amazement! lol... the flying geese falls into that category.... but it's simple and they work every time! with no pain!
Jan
"frood" wrote in news:mbnTe.62332$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.southeast.rr.com:
Julia in MN wrote in news:ylnTe.16201$ snipped-for-privacy@fe07.lga:
Cool!! Good to know!! Just out of curiosity, and not to hi-jack Frood's question...but is there any other way that people traditionally quilt flying geese other than in the ditch around the triangles??
Jan
All depends... on my "Dancing Lights..." art quilt (see webshots album
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