Confident beginner block
Flying geese quilt pattern
A queen-size flying geese quilt is 90″ × 102″: 56 12″ blocks and a 3″ border. It takes 12 yd of fabric for the top and binding, plus 8¼ yd of 42″ fabric for the backing. Rows of triangles like geese flying in formation. Folklore says the blocks pointed north along the Underground Railroad; historians doubt it, but the block is much older.
How much fabric for a flying geese quilt
The same quilt in three sizes, with a 3″ border and 2½″ binding. Yardage is for 42″ of usable width after trimming selvages, rounded up to the next ⅛ yard with a little extra.
| Throw | Queen | King | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished size | 54″ × 66″ | 90″ × 102″ | 102″ × 102″ |
| Blocks | 4 × 5 = 20 | 7 × 8 = 56 | 8 × 8 = 64 |
| Sand (flying geese (sky)) | 1⅞ yd | 5⅛ yd | 6 yd |
| Rust (flying geese (goose), border, binding) | 2 yd | 4¼ yd | 4⅝ yd |
| Apricot (flying geese (goose)) | ⅞ yd | 2⅝ yd | 2¾ yd |
| Top and binding | 4¾ yd | 12 yd | 13⅜ yd |
| Backing (42″ fabric) | 3½ yd | 8¼ yd | 9¼ yd |
| Binding | 7 strips 2½″ × WOF | 10 strips 2½″ × WOF | 11 strips 2½″ × WOF |
| Batting | 62″ × 74″ (twin) | 98″ × 110″ (king) | 110″ × 110″ (king) |
Cutting for one flying geese block
Eight flying-geese units, made four at a time with the no-waste method. All sizes include ¼″ seam allowances. Flying geese are made four at a time with no waste: one big square the finished width plus 1¼″, and four small squares the finished height plus ⅞″.
| Fabric | 6″ block | 8″ block | 10″ block | 12″ block | 16″ block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geese 1 | 1 square 4¼″ (goose) | 1 square 5¼″ (goose) | 1 square 6¼″ (goose) | 1 square 7¼″ (goose) | 1 square 9¼″ (goose) |
| Sky | 8 squares 2⅜″ (sky) | 8 squares 2⅞″ (sky) | 8 squares 3⅜″ (sky) | 8 squares 3⅞″ (sky) | 8 squares 4⅞″ (sky) |
| Geese 2 | 1 square 4¼″ (goose) | 1 square 5¼″ (goose) | 1 square 6¼″ (goose) | 1 square 7¼″ (goose) | 1 square 9¼″ (goose) |
Block diagram
- A Sky (Sand)
- B Geese 1 (Rust)
- C Geese 2 (Apricot)
Download the block diagram (SVG)
Prints sharp at any size. Use it to plan colours with pencils, or as a pressing guide.
Questions
How much fabric do I need for a queen flying geese quilt?
About 12 yd for the top and binding (5⅛ yd of sand, 4¼ yd of rust, 2⅝ yd of apricot), plus 8¼ yd of backing. That is for 90″ × 102″ with 12″ blocks, planned on 42″ of usable fabric width with a little extra.
What size is a flying geese block?
It is drawn on a 4 × 4 grid, so it works best at 6", 8", 10", 12", 16" finished. 12" is the most common size.
Is flying geese good for beginners?
Yes, once you have made a simple nine patch or four patch. The points need a careful ¼″ seam.
Can I use this pattern for free?
Yes. Flying geese is a traditional block in the public domain. The diagram and yardage on this page are free; the designer lets you change colours, size and borders and see the new yardage.
Updated November 9, 2026