The Flying Geese Quilt Pattern

The flying geese quilt pattern is also known as the Dutchmans Puzzle quilt block.

This is one of the patchwork pattern blocks and is made up of large and small triangles. Each set of two triangles are known as a flying geese unit. Theses units are sewn together to get this pattern.

This patchwork block uses five different fabric designs. One that is for the background and another four to show the different flying geese. These can be ones that blend in with each other, contrast or for a eye-catching effect clashing colours.

There are many shopping outlets that have lovely fabric that could be used in patchwork such as Minerva Crafts. These specialise in the craft side of fabrics.

One block of this design is made up of eight separate flying geese units which are sewn together to form a larger square.

Fabric preparation

Background Fabric

Cut out eight 3+7/8 inch (10cms) squares from the material that is going to be used for the background.

These eight squares then need to be cut diagonally to form sixteen triangles.

Other Fabrics

Cut out one 5+1/8ins (13cms) square from the other four fabrics you have chosen.

This square has then to be cut diagonally to give two triangles. This will give eight triangles in total.

These eight larger and sixteen smaller triangles should all be cut as accurately as possible. This will give a better finish when it is made up.

Try to cut your patchwork pieces as accurately as possible to ensure the block fits together well.

Sewing the Flying Geese Quilt Pattern Block

Take one large and one small triangle and place right sides together so the diagonal of the small triangle is against the small side of the larger triangle.

It is important to match up the bottom corner of the large triangle which will give a little background fabric overhang at the top of the larger triangle, this will give a slight separation of the flying geese units.

Repeat for the other side and for the other large triangles.

Press seams and trim corners and top of excess material.

Next the flying geese units of the same colour need to be sewn, right sides together, so the large triangles are pointing the same way to make a square.

Press seams and repeat for the other colours.

The next stage of the Dutchmans puzzle is to join two squares of two flying geese units together, right side together, so the different colours and pointing different ways. This will give a rectangle with two different colours of flying geese units.

When looking at the block the pairs of large triangles seem to turn a quarter turn in each square until it is back to the beginning in the first square.

Repeat for the other two colours so there are two rectangles each with two different coloured geese squares.

When the two rectangles are placed side by side, the geese units individually should point to one side of the square. With right sides together match the seams to join the two rectangles together.

Press seams.

The block is now complete and can be used as a cushion cover as shown below or as part of a patchwork quilt.

The cushion was finished off with a thin white border sewn to all sides of the finished Dutchmans puzzle quilt block. A wider navy blue border was then sewn to the white border.

The back was plain navy blue matching the border on the front and one of the geese units and had a central zip in place. Navy blue piping was included when the front and the back panels were sewn together.

A quilt can be made with these blocks, in the pattern shown, stitched together or the blocks can be facing the same way in stripes to give a geometric pattern.

Enjoy making your flying geese quilt pattern block.