MODA Modern Building Blocks - Week 2 - Block 16

Block 16

12” Finished

Sub-units

2 – 6 ½” x 12 ½” Flying Geese

Method A (pattern)

Fabric	What to cut?	Block Part	What to buy if making scrappy?
#1	1 – 6 7/8” Square Cut in half diagonally once Use both halves	B	Standard ¼ yard or Fat Eighth
#2	1 – 13 ¼” Square Cut in half diagonally twice Use 1 quarter square triangle 1 – 6 7/8” Square Cut in half diagonally once Use both halves	A D	Fat Quarter
#3	1 - 13 ¼” Square       Cut in half diagonally twice Use 1 quarter square triangle	C	Fat Quarter

Tips:

·        Use caution cutting a large square in half diagonally. I like to use the 45 degree line on my Big Daddy ruler for alignment.

·        Pin when sewing on the bias.

·        Stitch slowly and use a stiletto or awl to prevent stretching the seam.

·        Press up into the half square triangle of the “sky” in the goose unit to prevent stretching or distortion.

·        Use a quarter square triangle for the large triangle and a half square triangle for the small triangle to keep bias on the inside of the unit.

·        Try a SETTING Triangle from a 6 5/8” strip for quarter square triangles to conserve fabric!

·        Use Clearly Perfect Angles to improve your piecing accuracy.

Method B (Connector Corners)

Fabric	What to cut?	Block Part	What to buy if making scrappy?
#1	2 – 6 ½” Squares	B	Standard ¼ yard or Fat Eighth
#2	1 – 6 ½” x 12 ½” rectangle 2 – 6 ½” Squares	A D	Standard ¼ yard
#3	1 – 6 ½” x 12 ½” rectangle	C	Standard ¼ yard or Fat Eighth

Tips:

·        Use a Quick Quarter ruler and a Sewline pencil to draw stitch line down the center slot of the ruler.

·        Use caution to avoid stretching your square as you draw stitch line.

·        Experiment trimming out only the middle layer of bulk as you to achieve perfect geese. The foundation rectangle is always your true alignment guide.

·        Connectors use more fabric in general. When making single blocks, connectors require less fabric be cut for main large triangle unit in flying goose. 

6 ½” x 12 ½” rectangle vs. 13 ¼” square

Assembling Block:

·        Piece 2 – flying geese units.

·        Each goose should measure 6 ½” x 12 ½” – if it does not EVALUATE

·        Combine geese to complete block.

·        Pin and use caution to avoid cutting of the point of the goose.

Block should measure 12 ½” square.

Trim off excess threads and fabric tails. 

Remember to share your blocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr!