Flying Geese Mini Quilt {Tutorial}

After testing so many sizes in my updated four-at-a-time flying geese intermediate sizing table, and being so happy with how they turned out, I decided to try and figure out how to put those geese to use in a mini quilt top. I’m sure there are a multitude of different ways that the geese could be arranged, but I was also working with very little remaining background fabric.

Flying Geese Mini Quilt – Pieced Quilt Top

You can probably see that I even needed to piece the flying geese square to test out the last and largest size (8″ wide by 4″ tall, finished). Can you see all the seams I had to use to make the background piecing work? Thankfully, I had *just* enough to eek out this 22½” x 24½” mini quilt top. If you would like to make your own version, while giving the Updated Four-at-a-Time Flying Geese sizing tables a try, I’m sharing the fabric requirements and piecing with you today. Maybe this free tutorial will be just the nudge you need to give flying geese a try!

Fabric Requirements & Cutting Instructions

• Flying Geese (Kona Natural) – ½ yard
  • Cut (1) 9⅜” x WOF strip
    • Subcut (1) 9⅜” square
    • Subcut (1) 8⅜” square
    • Subcut (1) 7⅜” square
    • Subcut (1) 6⅜” square
    • Subcut (1) 5⅜” square
  • Cut (1) 4⅜” x WOF strip
    • Subcut (1) 4⅜” square
    • Subcut (1) 3⅜” square
• Background (Pink Solid) – ½ yard
  • Cut (1) 8½” x WOF strip
    • Subcut (1) 8½” square
    • Subcut (1) 8½” x 6½” rectangle
    • From remainder, subcut (1) 5″ x 25″ strip and (1) 3″ x 25″ strip
      • From the 5″ x 25″ strip, subcut (4) 5″ squares
      • From the 3″ x 25″ strip, subcut (4) 3″ squares and (5) 2½” squares
  • Cut (1) 4½” x WOF strip
    • Subcut (4) 4½” squares
    • Subcut (4) 4″ squares
  • Cut (1) 3½” x WOF strip
    • Subcut (4) 3½” squares
    • Subcut (1) 3½” x 2½” rectangle
    • Subcut (4) 2″ squares

Piecing Instructions

• Set aside the Background 8½” square, 8½” x 6½” rectangle, 3½” x 2½” rectangle, and (1) 2½” square to be used in the quilt top assembly.
• Using the Intermediate sizing instructions in my Updated Four-at-a-Time Flying Geese tutorial, use the following square combinations to make the following trimmed flying geese sizes:
  • Use (1) Flying Geese 9⅜” square and (4) Background 5″ squares to make (4) 8½” x 4½” trimmed flying geese.
  • Use (1) Flying Geese 8⅜” square and (4) Background 4½” squares to make (4) 7½” x 4″ trimmed flying geese.
  • Use (1) Flying Geese 7⅜” square and (4) Background 4″ squares to make (4) 6½” x 3½” trimmed flying geese.
  • Use (1) Flying Geese 6⅜” square and (4) Background 3½” squares to make (4) 5½” x 3″ trimmed flying geese.
  • Use (1) Flying Geese 5⅜” square and (4) Background 3″ squares to make (4) 4½” x 2½” trimmed flying geese.
  • Use (1) Flying Geese 4⅜” square and (4) Background 2½” squares to make (4) 3½” x 2″ trimmed flying geese.
  • Use (1) Flying Geese 3⅜” square and (4) Background 2″ squares to make (4) 2½” x 1½” trimmed flying geese.

Flying Geese Mini Quilt Top Assembly

Flying Geese Mini Quilt Assembly for No Partial Seams (click to open and enlarge)

Following the assembly illustration above (tip: click on the image to make it larger), piece the flying geese and the reserved background squares and rectangles, paying careful attention to the flying geese orientations. Note that to avoid needing to sew partial seams, the left hand side of the flying geese mini quilt top should be assembled in three sections.

Also note that:

• the Top Section should measure 14½” x 7½” unfinished,
• the Middle Section should measure 14½” x 9½” unfinished,
• the Bottom Section should measure 14½” x 8½” unfinished,
• the Right Section should measure 8½” x 24½” unfinished, and
• the flying geese mini quilt should measure 22½” x 24½” unfinished.

It took me longer to figure out how to construct the mini quilt and get the background fabric into the pieces I needed than it took me to sew it together. Now I just need to baste and quilt it.

If you make your own Flying Geese Mini Quilt, I’d love to see it! Be sure to use the hashtag #QJFlyingGeeseMiniQuilt and tag me @QuiltingJetgirl when you share on social media.

If you liked this quick and free tutorial, I hope you consider purchasing one of my digital quilt patterns in the future. Also, be sure to keep an eye out on Wednesday: I’m going to be sharing about a limited time pattern bundle offer for 20 quilt patterns (including one of my favorite patterns) for the amazing price of $19 (that’s less than $1 per pattern). Have a great week!