Divide & Dash Quilt Along – Week 3
Flying Geese Take Flight PDF Instruction Sheet
Welcome back to the Divide & Dash Quilt Along! This week we are diving into one of my favorite techniques — foundation paper piecing — as we construct the Flying Geese blocks for the quilt.
These blocks add movement and direction to the overall design and really begin tying the traditional churn dash elements into the modern layout that makes Divide & Dash so unique.
Whether this is your first time paper piecing or you are already comfortable with the technique, this week is all about slowing down, staying organized, and enjoying the process one seam at a time.
This Week’s Assignment
For the quilt center you will make:
4 Flying Geese blocks
If you are adding the optional Flying Geese border, you will make:
16 Flying Geese blocks
Each block will measure:
4.5" x 12.5" unfinished
4" x 12" finished in the quilt
Your Week 3 Downloads
This week includes two printable PDF files. Paper Piece Geese Blocks and Templates for Flying Geese Paper Piecing
Flying Geese Foundation Paper Template
This is the actual paper piecing foundation used to sew the Flying Geese blocks.
Print 2 copies if making only the quilt center blocks
Print 6 additional copies if you are adding the optional Flying Geese border
Each printed sheet contains enough sections to complete two Flying Geese blocks.
When printing, make sure your settings are:
Actual Size
100% Scale
NOT “Fit to Page”
Fabric Cutting Templates
I also created reusable cutting templates to help reduce fabric waste while making the paper piecing process easier and more efficient.
Trace these shapes Using a Sharpie Marker onto:
Clear template plastic (look for a folder from the Dollar Store)
orThin cardboard
These templates allow you to precut your fabrics accurately before sewing while still leaving enough seam allowance for folding and trimming during construction.
From your Background fabric cut 2 strips that measures 5" x WOF. You can cut enough for your four blocks by laying them out as instructed in the video.
From your Feature Fabric or Print, you will need 4 squares of each print that measure 6.5" square.
Additional Supplies Needed
Along with your printed templates and fabrics, you will also need:
Washable glue stick
Clear template plastic or thin cardboard
Fine point Sharpie Marker for marking templates
Small rotary cutter and ruler
Iron and pressing surface
An add a quarter ruler or a ruler with a 1/4" marking
A couple of inexpensive template ideas:
Dollar Store plastic folders work wonderfully for reusable templates
Cereal boxes work great as well if you are not working with directional fabrics
First things First:
A Few Helpful Paper Piecing Tips
If foundation paper piecing is new to you, here are a few things that will make the process easier:
Lower your stitch length slightly (1.5–1.8 works well)
Use an Add-A-Quarter ruler if you have one
Always verify your fabric fully covers the section before stitching
Finger press before using your iron whenever possible
Trim excess fabric after every seam to reduce bulk
And most importantly — trust the process. Paper piecing can feel awkward at first, but after a few sections it becomes very rhythmic and satisfying.
From the Designer
I absolutely love Flying Geese blocks because they create such a wonderful sense of movement across a quilt top. In Divide & Dash they help connect the traditional piecing with the clean modern layout that inspired this pattern from the very beginning.
I also wanted this quilt along to feel approachable for quilters who may be trying paper piecing for the first time, which is why I designed the reusable cutting templates to go along with the foundations. A little preparation up front makes the entire process smoother and much more enjoyable.
Take your time this week, enjoy the stitching, and before long you’ll have a beautiful flock of Flying Geese ready to fly into your quilt top.
Happy quilting!
Be sure to join us on Facebook at Sister of The Divide Quilt Alongs!
No comments:
Post a Comment