Summer Sampler 2019 Block 19: All about flying geese units

Another Monday, another block for Summer Sampler 2019: Piecing Bootcamp!

And it's block number 19! What!? The end is in sight - let's take a moment to step back and appreciate everything we've done so far!

Done with your moment? Okay, good, because this week is one of MY design weeks, so we've got important things to do. 😂 I'm calling this block "Heat Wave." Any guesses what this week's skill is? If you guessed Flying Geese, you get a gold star.

If you're like me, you have a love-hate relationship with Flying Geese. I love them because it's such a versatile unit—it’s probably one of the most common units found in quilting. You can do So. Many. Things. with flying geese. They’re really fun to play around with on a design wall. But sewing them? That can be another matter entirely. These little guys are HARD to piece accurately, no doubt about it.

But as so often happens in quilting, many roads lead to the same destination—I can think of at least 4 different techniques off the top of my head for making Flying Geese, and I'm sure there are many more. Plus any number of rulers and other helpers you can buy. The Heat Wave block offers two techniques for you to choose from as you're making this block: The "Stitch-And-Flip" method (mark the back of a square diagonally and stitch onto a rectangle), or my new Perfect Flying Geese paper-piecing templates (two free sample templates are included with this week's block pattern!) I've tried several methods and keep coming back to paper-piecing as my favorite way to make geese quickly and accurately, but different methods work for different quilters, so if you've struggled with geese, try a variety of techniques and see which one appeals to you.

Regardless of what method you choose for making geese, here are some tips that might help:

1. Press seams open. A side-pressed seam can throw off your unit by just a hair’s width—but you would be surprised how much that hair’s width affects diagonal seams. Open seams win the day!

2. Keep an eye on that point! It can throw people off that the top of the unit needs a 1/4" seam allowance, but the bottom corners don't. The reality is that the bottom corner seams will land in the correct place regardless of seam allowance. But that top point of the goose needs to be exactly 1/4" from the top of the unit, or your point will get cut off later.

3. Use starch or starch alternative. Starch can make a big difference in keeping those geese flying straight and pretty!

Want to up your piecing game? Join Summer Sampler 2019: Piecing Bootcamp and learn a new piecing skill every week! Join us and get immediate access to all 21 blocks, plus finishing instructions for two different layouts. Click here to join!

The Summer Sampler 2019: Piecing Bootcamp pattern includes:
• Fully-tested instructions for 21 gorgeous blocks (12" finished size)
• Complete finishing instructions to make an 80" x 92" sampler quilt
• Instructions for two layout options—you get both! No need to choose!
• All fabric requirements and suggested Moda Bella Solids colors (YES! There are fabric kits available from Sewtopia and Canadian shop Mad About Patchwork)
• Quilt mock-up coloring sheet for planning
• Access to an exclusive subscriber-only Facebook group to ask questions, get advice, and interact with the designers and a community of other quilters

The Summer Sampler 2019 designers are: Top to Bottom, Left to Right
Row 1: Heather Black @Quiltachusetts, Krista Hennebury @poppyprint, Lynne Goldsworthy @lilysquilts,  Lee Heinrich @lee.a.heinrich, Krystina Hopkins @khquilts
Row 2: Andrea Tsang Jackson @3rdstoryworkshop, Jemima Flendt @tiedwitharibbon, Faith Jones @freshlemonsquilts, Kitty Wilkin @nightquilter, Yvonne Fuchs @quiltingjetgirl
Row 3: Lynn Carson Harris @lynncarsonharris, Stephanie Zacharer Ruyle @spontaneousthreads
Row 4: Jen Carlton Bailly @bettycrockerass, Amy Friend @duringquiettime, Justin Stafford @keatonquilts, Katie Blakesley @swimbikequilt, Jo Avery @mybearpaw