Trimming Mini Flying Geese

Every time I work on a small project I think it takes as much time to make a mini as it does a full-size quilt.  This latest little wall hanging was no exception.  Awhile back I came across a pattern called Little Bites Whit by Miss Rosie’s Quilt Company.  It intrigued me because it called for making flying geese blocks from 2-1/2 “ squares.  I had a couple of mini charm packs so thought it might be fun to use them in this project.

Almost as soon as I started this, I realized it would require two techniques I try to avoid at all costs:  trimming up blocks and pressing seams open.  It took awhile but I finally got the flying geese blocks sewn and then came the dreaded task of trimming them all.  For years my mantra has been: cut accurately, sew accurately and be done with it.  It didn’t work for this so I got down to business and started trimming.

The process was made much easier with the Shape Cut ruler.  If I could have only one ruler in my studio, this would be it.  It works particularly well for trimming blocks.  These little flying geese were to be cut 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” so I started by aligning the long side of the block along the dashed 1/4” line and cut in the 2” slot.

Then, rotate the unit 180 degrees and line up the edge you just cut along the zero line, and cut in the 1-1/2” slot.

Last, rotate the unit 90 degrees to trim the sides.  I have a piece of wonder tape along a slot in the ruler to center the goose tip.  Cut along the sides to cut the unit 2-1/2”.

Now repeat that 143 times and you’ll have enough blocks to make a little wall hanging.

Once I started sewing the blocks together it really helped that I centered the tip of the goose.  My blocks went together nicely and everything seemed to line up without cutting off any points.

In order to reduce the bulk in these units, I pressed the seams open.  For many reasons, I don’t like seams pressed open but that’s a blog post for another time.  In this case it helped to make these really flat. 

All of these steps take a lot of time, but I’m hoping it’s worth it in the end.