20 Flying Geese Quilt Patterns

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Flying Geese quilt patterns are a classic in the quilting world. With their simple yet graceful design, they add charm and finesse to any project.

This pattern, resembling a flock of geese in flight, adds movement and direction to quilts, making them come alive.

Whether you’re just starting or already know your way around quilting, these 20 Flying Geese quilt patterns will inspire you to create beautiful quilts that soar with creativity.

History of Flying Geese Quilts

The “Flying Geese” quilt block is a true quilting icon, gracing bedcovers for centuries! While its exact origins are a bit of a mystery, some folks believe it might have started way back with patchwork techniques used in Ancient Egypt.

Others trace it to Japan’s Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868.

In the early days of American quilting, where resourcefulness was key, humble quilters used every scrap of fabric they had, often cutting them into triangles to create these striking patterns.

The name “Flying Geese” comes from the shape of the blocks, resembling a flock of geese flying in formation across the sky. 

Wherever it came from, the flying geese block became a favourite for quilters for two big reasons: it’s easy to make and super versatile.

With just a rectangle and some squares, you can create these geese flying across your quilt.

Over time, quilters have taken this basic idea and soared with it (pun intended).

They’ve come up with countless variations using different fabric sizes and all sorts of colours and played with how the geese are arranged.

Quilters have used it extensively to symbolise freedom, movement, and natural beauty, giving their projects personal significance.

Today, you’ll find flying geese blocks in everything from classic quilts hanging on grandma’s wall to contemporary, minimalist designs that look super fresh. Sometimes, even the plainest designs can make a huge difference, ya know?

20 Flying Geese Quilt Patterns to Elevate Your Craft

1. Classic Flight

The traditional Flying Geese pattern, featuring a row of sharp triangles against a contrasting background.

Also Check: 20 Traditional Quilt Patterns to Inspire Your Next Project

2. Sunset Migration

A warm palette of oranges and reds simulates a flock at dusk.

3. Scrappy Geese

Use up your fabric scraps with this fun and eclectic pattern, mixing and matching fabrics for a unique look.

4. Autumnal Path 

Earthy tones mimic the colours of fall.

5. Chicago Geese

You get the sense of movement and fluidity with this pattern, arranging flying geese blocks to evoke the feeling of wind-blown fabric.

6. Neighbourhood Geese

Featuring flying geese blocks arranged in rows to look like houses, this pattern creates a charming and cohesive neighbourhood-like design, perfect for capturing the warmth and familiarity of home in your quilt.

7. Rainbow Geese

This pattern bursts with vibrant colours, arranging flying geese blocks in a stunning spectrum from red to violet. It’s a bold and cheerful masterpiece that brightens any room.

8. Monochrome Migration

“Monochrome Migration” features flying geese blocks in shades of black, white, and grey, creating a sleek, minimal quilt with a modern twist.

9. Pinwheel Geese

Create this distinctive flying geese quilt by using smaller triangles.

The symmetry of this design, especially how the centre resembles a pinwheel, is quite pleasing.

10. Southerly

This quilt pattern with flying geese is lovely, featuring different sizes of geese and occasional pinwheel designs adding to its charm.

11. Flying Geese Log Cabin

For a classic and orderly look, try this pattern that combines flying geese quilt blocks with log cabin designs.

You’ll even spot flying geese along one of the border edges for added symmetry.

12. Tropical Geese

Start by crafting a big triangle for the main geese quilt block, then scale down for smaller ones to fill the row, gradually decreasing in size.

Choose vibrant tropical colours to bring your favourite hues to life in the design.

13. Simple Geese

Stitch up some geese units and assemble them into a contemporary design.

The gradient effect will add stunning elegance to any home.

14. Winter Migration

Featuring icy blues and whites, this pattern aptly captures the chilly beauty of the season as flying geese glide across the quilt.

15. Vintage Geese

Recreate the charm of yesteryears with this timeless pattern, with flying geese blocks arranged in a nostalgic, retro-inspired colourway.

16. Shadow Flock

Use light and dark fabrics to make flying geese blocks.

It has this subtle three-dimensional effect like birds flying through shadows.

17. Mountain Geese

Capture the majesty of the mountainscape with this pattern, arranging flying geese blocks over a backdrop of mountain peaks.

18. Harvest Road

This unique pattern has flying geese blocks of two contrasting colours and fabric designs arranged to symbolise a winding road through fields.

It captures the beauty of rural landscapes in warm, earthy tones.

19. Flying Goslings

This cute baby quilt pattern with tiny flying geese blocks is perfect for welcoming little ones with warmth and comfort.

Its soft colours and sweet design make it a delightful addition to any nursery.

20. Linen Flying Geese

The flying geese blocks are arranged on a backdrop of soft, natural linen fabric.

Anyone going for a rustic look will love this one.

Tips for Choosing Flying Geese Quilt Patterns

So you’ve dived into the world of flying geese quilts, and now you’re surrounded by a sea of amazing patterns. Don’t worry, we’ll navigate this together! Here are some friendly tips to help you pick the perfect pattern:

Consider Your Skill Level 

First off, be honest about quilting skills.

If you’re a beginner, start with a simpler pattern that uses larger blocks and fewer flying geese per row.

As you gain confidence, you can move on to tackle more complex designs with smaller blocks and intricate layouts.

Size Matters

Think about how big you want your finished quilt to be. Small patterns might require more blocks to reach your desired size, so factor in the time commitment.

Bigger blocks create a bolder statement and work well for larger quilts like a bedspread, while smaller blocks offer a more intricate look and are great for throws or wall hangings.

Pick Your Style

Let your personality shine through! Whether you love classic, country charm or are drawn to more modern, minimalist designs, there are flying geese patterns for everyone.

Traditional patterns often use softer colours and floral prints, while modern styles might incorporate bold solids and geometric designs.

Go through our handpicked quilt patterns above, or browse online or quilt magazines for more inspiration and find a style that speaks to you.

Colour Coordination & Fabric Types

Colour can make or break your quilt. The beauty of flying geese, however, is their versatility. You can create stunning quilts with just two or three colours, or go wild with a whole rainbow!

For a cohesive look, consider using fabrics from the same collection, or play with contrasting colours, like pairing dark geese with a light background, monochromatic, or analogous colour schemes to make your quilt really pop.

As for fabrics, choose high-quality quilting cotton that’s easy to work with and won’t shrink or fade. Consider using pre-wash fabric to avoid surprises later.

The type of fabric, like flannel, linen, or batik, can also influence your design. Solids are perfect for showing off intricate piecing, while patterned fabrics are great for adding visual interest to simpler patterns.

With some early planning and these handy tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a stunning flying geese quilt that soars above the rest!

Sewing with the Geese: Easy Techniques to Use

You’ve picked your perfect flying geese quilt pattern, fabrics are prepped, and excitement is brewing!

But before you dive into sewing, let’s chat about some tips and tricks to make those geese fly super straight and even.

Cutting Like a Pro

• A rotary cutter and mat are your best choices for precise square and rectangle cutting. Invest in a good quality ruler for accurate measurements.
• Dull scissors/rotary blades lead to wonky cuts. Ensure your blade is sharp for cutting with clean edges, and the fabric is flat and wrinkle-free.
• Use a fabric marker or pencil to draw diagonal lines on your squares for traditional piecing methods.

Piecing Methods

There are a few different ways to sew flying geese blocks, each with its own advantages:

• Classic Piecing: This is the traditional method, where you sew squares onto a larger rectangle, cut diagonally, and press open. It’s a straightforward technique, but be mindful of accurate seam allowance for clean points.
• Paper Piecing: This method uses templates to hold your fabric pieces in place before sewing. It ensures perfect accuracy, especially helpful for small blocks and intricate designs.
• No-Waste Piecing: This clever method uses a bit of intricate folding to create four flying geese blocks from just two squares, with minimal fabric waste. It’s the best option for quilters who like to be eco-friendly.

Basic Steps for Traditional Piecing

For traditional flying geese blocks, you’ll need one large square (for the “goose”) and four smaller squares (for the “sky”). Precise measurements are crucial, so take your time.

• Draw diagonal lines on the wrong side of your small squares and cut your larger rectangle.
• Sew a scant ¼-inch seam allowance on either side of the drawn line on a small square. Press the triangle open. Repeat with another small square.
• Place the two pieced triangles on opposite corners of the larger rectangle, right sides together. Pin securely. Sew along the long edge of the rectangle, ¼ inch from the raw edge.
• Carefully cut along the drawn diagonal line on the larger rectangle, separating the two flying geese units. Press seams open. Trim any dog-eared corner for a crisp finish.

Step-by-Step Video Guide: How to make a stitch and flip flying geese quilt block

Practice makes perfect.

Don’t be discouraged if your first few geese aren’t show-stoppers. With a little patience and these helpful tips, you’ll surely be sewing flying geese blocks like a pro in no time!

Flying Geese Quilts FAQs

It may be that after all this, some questions might still have you scratching your head. No worries, we’ve got the answers to some of the most frequent flyers (see what we did there?) about flying geese quilts:

I’m a beginner. Are flying geese quilts too hard?

Not necessarily. The basic flying geese block itself is a fairly simple design. There are different piecing methods though. Traditional piecing might take a little practice, but paper piecing offers great accuracy for beginners.

What size should I cut my fabric for flying geese?

It depends on the finished size of your geese and the specific pattern you’re using. The most common ratio is 1:2, meaning if your block is 2 inches tall, it’ll be 4 inches wide. One good thing is most patterns will provide a cutting guide with specific measurements.

My geese keep coming out wonky! How do I get them perfect?

A sharp rotary cutter, a good ruler with clear markings, and precise seam allowances are key. Marking diagonal lines on your fabric squares helps guide your sewing.

Again, consider paper piecing for extra accuracy, where you sew the fabric onto a paper template for perfect points.

If your flying geese points aren’t pointy enough, here’s a trick: after sewing your geese units, trim any dog-eared corners to ensure a perfect ¼” from the point to the edge of the block.

I’m not a fan of wasting fabric with all this cutting. Any tips?

Try the no-waste flying geese method! It uses specific-sized squares and rectangles that are sewn together in a clever way to minimise fabric waste. Follow the video tutorial below, and you’ll end up with four flying geese units and minimal scraps.

Related Video: No Waste Flying Geese Tutorial {make 4 flying geese blocks at once and not waste any fabric!!}

Soar High!

The Flying Geese pattern is easily adaptable and versatile, making it ideal for quilters of all skill levels.

Whether you prefer the classic look or want to experiment with colour and texture, these 20 lovely Flying Geese quilt patterns are guaranteed to wow your families and friends.

We’re sure you’ll find one of these perfect for your next quilt. Also, feel free to share your own creations and finds in the comments for others to check out!