Easy & Quick Flying Geese

I've been taught 3 different ways to make flying geese. Some are no brainers, but take a lot of extra material. The latest method I've been taught is quick, uses minimal material, and fast to do. It requires 3 different rulers, but it's worth the investment if you're going to quilt a lot.

First, use a flying geese ruler to cut one large square and 4 small squares (to make 4 flying geese). I'm not attached to any specific one, I've used several and they all work fine.

Second, take all of the smallest squares and cut off the corners with the second ruler, the Corner Cutter I've never seen this one before and I love it! Why cut off the corner? Because it leaves less bulk in sewing which will lay flatter in the end.

Next, take the two small squares and stick them on top of the larger square (with the cut corners in the middle). Measure diagonally across the smaller squares and use your quarter inch ruler to mark a line a quarter inch above and below the center line. Sew along the outside two lines. 

This ruler isn't my favorite. It works fine, but I like to mark the center as well as the two edges. I don't know the name of the ruler that lets me do that, but it has a dash line through the center so you can mark the center as well.

Once the two outer lines are sewn, cut down the middle. Iron the two small triangles out, making two little heart shapes.

Place your last two small squares on top of the point of the heart (make sure you cut the corners of these small squares too). Mark the top and the bottom of the ruler and sew along those lines.

Cut down the center of each square. Iron the other side out, and you've got your 4 flying geese! Trim off the little corners and make sure the geese are the right size. With these rulers, the geese end up pretty much perfect.

Now you can add them to your final square

Flying Geese

I've been around quilting my whole life. My mom quilts. My Grandma quilts. My Aunt quilts. I knew some day I would start quilting. Right before Logan was born, I took my first quilting class from a little old lady in the neighborhood. She was amazing! The classes were 3 hours once a week and that's where I got my foundation in quilting.

Now I attend a monthly Quilting class down in Provo with my Mom and Cousin. It's fun because of who we go with, but we also get some fun pointers along the way. One of the squares we're working on for next class involved about 8 flying geese. So today I've been sewing these squares.

I'll post more on Friday with details on the easiest & fastest way to make the flying geese.

The Sassy Seamstress Starts!

I've been toying with the idea of starting a "real blog" for the past few years. By real blog, I mean something with meaning and direction. Not the blog I write to keep my family updated. About a year ago I decided I wanted to write a sewing blog, but the first year of my son (Logan)'s life was a hard transition into motherhood and the blog got pushed off. I've been sewing more than ever in my life and have been itching to share it with the world.

I was asked on Sunday how long I've been sewing, and I answered "Um... forever!"And really it's true. I remember sewing clothes for my barbies and dolls as a kid, I took a basic sewing class in middle school, and an apparel and design class in college. Now I mostly sew stuff to go around the house, alter  my husband Dave, Logan and my clothes and do some quilting on the side.

I sew for a few reasons. One, it's all about the quality! Half the time you get something from the store, it's only made to last for a year or two. When you make it yourself you can pick the best materials and know it's going to last for years to come. Second, you can make exactly what you want. When it's custom you know your project will be perfect for whatever you had it intended for. Finally, you can alter store bought clothes and taylor them to fit your family perfectly. Your clothes can look good, but they look so much better when they have been sewn to fit.

Follow my blog and be inspired! I'll post pictures of my projects, tutorials, and fun projects & products that I love to use myself.