Opening Day Flying Geese and Stars

Here we have 36 star blocks for Opening Day! Making them wasn't too bad, except for trying to starch the already pieced units. I did switch over to Mary Ellen's Best Press, and it is working pretty well. The fabric doesn't get as stiff as I like, but you know what that product is brilliant at? Getting fold lines and stubborn wrinkles out of fabric. You know those lines that don't seem to ever press out? Well, something in Best Press tackles them and makes them disappear. 

The 128 flying geese are going to be a process, however. I have made about a dozen. I just hate this method of making them. Well, I should amend that statement.  The method isn't so bad, but there was absolutely NO room for error when cutting out the pieces. For a 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 unfinished block, the instructions have you cut one 5 1/4" square and four 2 7/8" squares. If only it had given me an extra 1/8", I could trim these geese down and they would all be perfect. The instructions just say "your flying geese unit should finish at
2 1/2 x 4 1/2".  Right. In some ideal parallel universe. 

Now, in the pattern, Carrie says she herself used Monique Dillard's Fit to Be Geese method, which of course makes the units oversized and you trim them down. But she doesn't tell you Monique's measurements, for copyright reasons no doubt. I sure wish I'd paid better attention to Carrie's comment and used Monique's method back when I cut out this fabric!

My geese are coming out relatively well. Very close to 2 1/2 x 4 1/2", but just a hair smaller or a hair wonky in one way or another.  Fudgeable. Is that a word? I am making it work. These new ones are a heck of a lot better than the ones I made in 2010 at least.

If you are wondering what that plastic gizmo is on my throat plate it is a stitching guide by Lori Holt called Seams Sew Easy. You position it just so on your machine bed and supposedly you don't need to draw lines for stitching diagonally. It works great, but with these precarious units I didn't want to take any chances, so I drew lines anyway. You can see on the unit under the needle that the device works great. See how the bottom tip is lined up perfectly with the right hand line/guide?

Hope your week is off to a good start. Yesterday was baking day, so Eva and I made mini bundt cakes from a Taste of Home recipe. I filled the cups too full, so I need to watch that next time.

 

 

Comments

[Betty]

I hate that method for flying geese too. I would prefer one at a time to avoid the less accurate. Don’t you just love the varied backgrounds in a quilt. It adds interest without being too busy.

[Wendy Currie]

Nicole I am really enjoying your visit back to Carrie’s patterns, not sure if you remember but I am also a big fan of her work.
We both made her Elizabeth quilt and I actually 2 one in French General when it was first released. Opening Day was made for my youngest and then so many schnibbles!!
I believe Carries latest pattern was Summer Moon which I have and did a mini version…any idea what she is up to now?

[Wendy Currie]

I think that Carries pattern appeal for me is all of the flying geese blocks a personal favourite of mine.
I use Deb Tuckers wing clipper rulers I highly recommend them alsong with her you tube instruction video..
I always approach new patterns with a plan to make the units with rulers or techniques that I know will give me the best results and change my cutting to those requirements. I always go up when. 7/8 is required.
I may need to pull out her patterns and books again soon!

[Nancy Watkins]

I sure give you credit for tackling all the flying geese! Can you tell me what number pressure foot you are using in your picture? It’s hard to tell but looks different than any of mine and I might want one. 😊 I think you are amazing Nicole to tackle this quilt. It’s always so hard to figure out what one was doing and thinking so many years ago. Going to be a pretty one!

[Karen B]

I love the Fit to Be Geese rulers. It used to be the only way I made geese because it was the only way I could make them accurately!

[Jan]

A dozen flying geese at a time will get them finished & behind you. And, I looked online for the definition of 'fudgeable'...the Wiktionary says the meaning is 'capable of being fudged.' Who knew?? 🙃 Those mini Bundts look delicious & the recipe confirms it! Yummy!!!

[sue s]

I'm so frustrated when I see 7/8" as a measurement. I ALWAYS up it to at least the full inch because I always need the trim for accuracy. I like The Wing Clipper too.

[Ina]

Every time I hear the words 'bundt cake' I think of the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The in-laws come to house with one and the Greek family have no idea what it is and why there is a hole in the middle of the cake. Such a great movie.

Bloc Loc is still my favorite way to make flying geese. Speaking of flying geese...did you ever finish Aurora quilt? The pattern is by Laundry Basket. I started it because I loved your so much but it still waiting for me to finish all those flying geese....

[Marsha]

You’re making me want to make this quilt again!