Scrappy Flying Geese Tutorial: Master the Four-at-a-Time Method for the Tatum Quilt Pattern

Scrappy Flying Geese Tutorial: Master the Four-at-a-Time Method for the Tatum Quilt Pattern

Are you ready to add some movement to your quilts and play with color!? If you're looking for beginner quilt blocks that add a dynamic touch to your quilting projects, flying geese are the perfect choice! In this step-by-step tutorial, I'll show you how to make flying geese using the four-at-a-time method—one of the most efficient and beginner-friendly quilting techniques. 

Whether you're new to quilting or looking to brush up on your skills, this method is easy to follow and helps you quickly create scrappy flying geese blocks for your next quilt project.

The Tatum Quilt is all about scrappy goodness (the easy way!) and bold sashing that makes the quilt blocks pop. One of the key features of the design is the flying geese blocks that create movement across the quilt, giving it a lively and dynamic look. The best part? Using the four-at-a-time method makes it quick and easy to whip up these beauties with very little fabric waste.

Let’s get started!

What You'll Need:

• Fabric for your flying geese (two different fabric choices: one large square for the "geese" and four small squares for the "sky")
• A ruler
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Basic sewing supplies (sewing machine, thread, pins/clips, iron)

For this tutorial, we’ll focus on the flying geese block featured in the Tatum Quilt, but you can use this method in any of your projects. The measurements here will help you create flying geese blocks that finish at 3" x 6".

Step 1: Choose Your Fabrics

Flying geese blocks have two main components: the "geese" (the triangle in the middle) and the "sky" (the triangles on either side of the geese). For a quilt with a scrappy look, this is where you can really have fun! Go wild mixing and matching different prints and colors!  You can grab some fat quarters or quarter yards from your stash or dig into your scrap bin.

The great thing about this method is that it allows you to make four flying geese blocks at once from just one large square for the geese and four smaller squares for the sky. You can use all different fabrics for each set of blocks, adding to that scrappy feel.

Step 2: Cut Your Fabric

For the four-at-a-time method, here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 large square (this will be the geese) measuring 7 1/4” x 7 1/4” 
• 4 small squares (these will be the sky) each measuring 3 7/8” x 3 7/8”

This method doesn’t waste fabric and makes it so easy to sew up multiple blocks in one go!

Use the chart below for a quick guide to make any size of flying geese!

Step 3: Mark the Small Squares

Take each of your four small squares and mark a diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of the fabric. A fabric pencil or disappearing ink pen works well for this step, but you can also use a regular pencil.

These lines will act as your sewing guide, so make sure they’re clear.

Step 4: Sew Flying Geese Blocks: The First Seam

Place and pin two of your small squares, right sides together, on opposite corners of the large square. The marked diagonal lines should create one long line across the large square.  The small squares will overlap slightly.

Next, sew ¼" on either side of the marked diagonal lines (so you’ll be stitching two seams, one on each side of the line).

Once your seams are sewn, cut along the marked diagonal line, right between your two stitching lines. This will give you two triangle-shaped pieces, each with a small square on either side of the large square.

Step 5: Finish Your Scrappy Flying Geese Blocks

Press the seams of each piece toward the small squares (the sky) - or open, you get to to set the rules for your geese! Now, take the remaining two small squares and place them on the unsewn corners of each of the pieces, again marking the diagonal line from corner to corner on the wrong side of the fabric.

Just like before, sew ¼" on either side of the diagonal line, cut down the middle and press your seams. Now you’ll have four flying geese blocks!

Step 6: Trim and Square Up Your Flying Geese

Your four flying geese blocks are almost done! The last step is to trim them to the correct size. For the Tatum Quilt, you’ll want to square them up to 3 ½" x 6 ½" to account for seam allowances.

Use your ruler to make sure each block is perfectly trimmed and squared. I like to use the Wing Clipper specialty ruler to help make sure my geese points are centered, but I also just used a regular ruler for years.  The most important part, though, is not to skip the step for trimming.  I have always been sad and annoyed with myself any time I’ve tried skipping this step.

Step 7: Use Them in Your Quilt!

Now that you have your scrappy flying geese blocks, they’re ready to be pieced into your quilt!  You can make a bunch and let your creative juices flow, or you can make a Tatum Quilt! The flying geese blocks in this pattern are designed to create movement and guide your eye across the quilt, with bold sashing in between to add contrast and make each scrappy block pop.

The Tatum Quilt Pattern is truly a skill-building project, and mastering the flying geese technique using the four-at-a-time method will help boost your confidence in tackling more complex quilts.

By mastering how to make flying geese using this simple four-at-a-time method, you'll have a go-to technique that can be applied to a variety of quilt patterns. This is an excellent skill-building block for any quilter, especially those looking for quilting techniques for beginners. Whether you incorporate them into the Tatum Quilt Pattern or another design, your scrappy flying geese blocks will add beautiful movement and creativity to your quilts.