- Background (muslin)
- Dark (indigo)
Block No. 41 · nine-patch
Flock of Geese Quilt Block
Also known as Flying Birds, Birds in the Air (three-grid Flock version)
Part of: Nine Patch Quilt BlocksHalf Square Triangle Quilt BlocksQuilt Blocks For Beginners
Flock of Geese sets a group of small dark triangles against one large background triangle. This three-grid arrangement is one of several blocks historically called Birds in the Air, but it has more small triangles than the two-grid unit on that page.
Version note: Grid corrected from 4 to 3 to represent the smallest patches.
- Level
- Confident Beginner
- Grid
- 3 × 3
- Pieces
- 10
Chart
Cutting for a 12" block
3 × 3 grid. All cuts fall on 1/8" ruler marks. Unfinished block: 12 1/2".
| Fabric | Shape | Cut | Size | Then | Pieces used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Half-square triangle | 1 | 12 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 11 spare |
| Background | Half-square triangle | 2 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 31 spare |
| Dark | Half-square triangle | 3 | 4 7/8" square | Cut once diagonally (2 triangles each) | 6 |
Method
Piecing steps
Step 1: Subcut the HST parent squares once diagonally as listed in the chart. Sew contrasting triangles along their long edges and square each small unit to 4 1/2", keeping the diagonal centered.
Step 2: Arrange the three small HSTs and three loose dark triangles in decreasing rows of three, two and one positions.
Step 3: Sew the small pieces into a large triangular half, completing each row before joining the rows. Keep the diagonal edge from stretching.
Step 4: Center the large background triangle on that pieced half and sew along the long diagonal. Press toward the large triangle.
Step 5: Join the sections with a 1/4-inch seam allowance, matching the marked intersections. Press and check the unfinished block measures 12 1/2" square.