Easy Flying Geese with Extras

This method will work for most flying geese. Let me explain..

Most Flying geese measurements are twice as wide as they are tall, like 5 x 2.5.  As long as your geese fit that criterion, then this process will work for you.

So here goes, you will first need to know what size to cut your squares and rectangles..

First add ½ inch to each side if the geese. 

Using our example you will cut a rectangle 5.5 x 3 inches..

Then cut two squares that are equal to the height measurement, 3 inches

in our example.

             

Now, you do not need to mark the sewing line, you can just fold the 3 inch squares on the diagonal and finger press. Be careful not to stretch the bias when doing this, the crease is just temporary, so don’t over do it.

                  

         

Lay the square on the end of the rectangle matching the top, bottom and end edges and stitch on the crease.  Pay attention to the orientation of the stitching line, top center to lower corner…

     

Now for the extra part.  Place the piece in your machine again,  moving over about ½ inch, I use the edge of my presser foot as a guide here, placing the left side if the foot about 1/8 inch to the right of the stitched seam. Sew a second seam.

  Now, cut between the to seams, resulting in one half of your flying geese unit and one half square triangle unit.

Press the seams open..

 Repeat with the other end 

And you will have one flying geese unit, measuring 5 ½ x 3 inches unfinished,

Or 5 x 2 ½ finished.  You will notice that you have the point ¼ inch from the edge, so when it is pieced into your project, you will not lose your point.

And…. You have not wasted those end triangles that usually get cut off anyway,

But instead you have two little Half Square Triangle units already sewn for a future project.. I have a little tub of these all waiting for me to get creative one day, and the hardest part, the cutting and sewing is already done.

Merry Christmas!

Its Christmas day and I shared a nice family dinner yesterday with my Son, his new wife and her family. It was a nice day and evening.  Today, Im home enjoying a quiet day sewing and I am truly enjoying it.

Leading up to this day, I see people setting expectations for gift giving that they cannot possibly meet, over indulging in all sorts of food, drink and spending that, once the day is past, they will face with regret.  Regret that they spent money they did not have or the headache that comes with too much celebration the night before.

But for me, the week leading up to this day was one of witnessing the struggles of others and helping to make this day a little brighter for one family in need. Let me explain...

I was drawn to a post on FB by a friend who was looking for some help for a family that she knows who are struggling this season.  The father/husband in this family left them in August, taking with him all the family money.  He has dissapeared leaving a single Mom and three children.  Now, this Mom is doing what she can to restore power to their house so that her little family can remain safe and secure.  She asked not for money or charity for herself, but for some help to make sure her children would have some gifts to open on Christmas.

Not having an income myself, I could not give money, but I decided I could give "stuff" to this family.  I used the last bit of gas in my car, and the last cash in my pocket and went shopping for the two girls, hoping that someone else would take care of the one boy. After finding out what the children's interests were, I got started.  I wrapped up all the little gifts I found and the ones I made, even a regift from my own home for the Mom.. she deserves our care and love too for sticking with her kids in the face of this difficult time in her life.
They were all delivered to the family on Friday.

What I want to share with you are the things I made for the littlest girl who loves dolls. I purchased the doll, but made the dolly bassinette, flannel blanket and doll sized diaper bag using fabric from my stash.

The ideas came from another blogger.  I made some critical changes in the construction allowing for a larger bed to fit the doll I had, adding some interfacing to make it stand up, and boning around the hood for shape.

All in all, I think they came out pretty good.  I would love to have seen this little girl open her gifts as it is heart warming to know you have helped make it a good day for someone else.  It truly is the giving that lifts the spirits and gives us hope for the future.

I will be posting the pattern for these items here on the blog, once I have made a second set and perfected the construction for the best results.  Be sure to come on back in a few weeks for the free pdf download of the pattern.

I will be making the next set for selling on etsy..yes, Im going to open and etsy shop!

And I have decided to make this an annual activity.  I have all year to decided how to locate a family that I could help with my skills and materials on hand.  I plan to have some quilts already made in preparation for the season.  However,   Im not sure I will have to wait until next Christmas for the giving...as there are always people in need of care and love...

Lesson learned:  I am often dissapointed in the human race, we can be so cruel to our fellow humans.  It is disheartening and creates stress and anxiety in me.  I have learned that the first step to changing the world is to take steps myself and reach out to others in need.  I am joining the ranks of the benefactors. No matter how small a contibution I make, I know it is coming from the heart.  The heart is the place where love begins.

It is my hope and wish that you All have the best Holiday possible and that you are surrounded by your friends and family and feel the Love of this season throughout the entire coming year and beyond!

Studio is up and running

OK, I have pulled up all the carpet in my new studio space and laid down new laminate flooring.  Whew, that took me about 5 weeks where it would have taken a normal person about three days.

Now, the sewing machines and furniture are in place, Long Arm "Mandy" is up and running and I am once again sewing.  This is a huge welcome in my life right now.  Its time to get busy generating a little income from my passion. 

I have two commission jobs on the books. They were interupted by the move and its time to get them done and on to their new homes. 

This is a T-shirt quilt I designed around the special Tshirts provided by the client. I completed the top yesterday. I will load it on the Long Arm and quilt it up this coming week. Stay tuned for the "better" pictures of the completed Quilt.  It is a commission job and will be going to Arizona as a Christmas gift.

And I started a new applique project for when Im tired and sitting in the recliner at the end of the day...

This is a free Block of the Month pattern called Vintage Tiles Revisited by Dorothy Baker for Lecien. You can find it here: http://www.lecienusa.com/blockofmonth/  We are doing this as a cyber sew along at Quilting Haven, you are welcome to come and join us here: http://www.quiltinghaven.com/index.php?topic=2520.0

We are a free message board full of fun and friendly quiltling folk.

Here is my fabric choices

And my version of Block One, completed with its border on...

Now, to celebrate Mandy's installation, and to give her a little workout, I am offering a Long Arm Quilting sale to the first 10 who commit by January 15.  I am offering 1/3 off the normal price of 1.5 cents per square inch for edge to edge quilting using a pantograph.  If you are interested in this sale, you can email me at

Judy@MyQuiltFabric.com for a pricing quote.

I hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy the Holidays and that you all have a little time for yourself to do what you love!