LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 12

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too.  

We made it! It's time to ASSEMBLE your quilt top! 

Grandmother's Autumn colorway

Granddaughter's Spring colorway

VERY IMPORTANT CUTTING UPDATE: SPACER STRIPS  (A)  ARE CUT 3” x 10.5” 

The quilt is put together in a variety of sections. The directions are thorough and easy to follow. What could possibly go wrong??!!

It is very EASY to get something turned around, between the design wall/area and your sewing machine. Just ask me how I know. 

Here is what happened to me as I rushed to get my top assembled months ago:

What NOT TO DO!

A friend pointed out I had turned the middle row section completely around, 180 degrees WRONG. She wasn't familiar with Laurel Ridge so she was trying to see the overall LAYOUT of the pattern. She spotted quickly what I couldn't see. Thanks, Nina!

I was willing to confess this to you on a LIVE broadcast, so that hopefully, you won't do what I did. Later that day Pat H. reached out to me with the sad news I had messed up 3 more blocks--those easy half square triangle blocks in the upper left section! Oh, no!! How did I DO THAT?!  Thanks, Pat!

It was EASY. There is a LOT of sewing here, lots of sections, taken off the wall, sewn together, put back on the wall. One simple misplaced block will require hours of work to fix. The big section took 2.5 hours to fix, the 3 small blocks took more than 3 hours to fix because they were in 3 different rows.

It is EASIER TO DO IT RIGHT, than to have to FIX IT. My TIPS:

1. Take it slow. 

2. If you're tired, stop.

3. Use photos to "see" what your eye can miss. 

4. Get another set of eyes to check you out BEFORE you assemble the various Sections.

In my own defense, I did not have the MONTH 12 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS until recently and my quilt was assembled in June. All I had to follow was the photo of the completed quilt, enlarged on my computer and IPad. 

Fortunately, my mistakes were brought to my attention while it was still a top. If they had been found after the quilting I would have had to say "It was a DESIGN DECISION". But I would have been very disappointed in myself.  

I added the borders with MITERED SEAMS, rather than straight seams. It allows me to make "border fabric" by sewing the inner border to the outer border BEFORE SEWING THE BORDERS to the quilt:

I tried to keep the floral fabric in the same orientation so I labeled them as I sewed

Once sewn  I carefully drew a 45 degree sewing line

I  had to piece the floral for needed length, it is not visible on the quilt

Mitered seam sewn and pressed open

I love the look of a mitered seam

You might not be surprised by now: I HAVE A TUTORIAL on mitered seam borders:

MITERED BORDERS  Lots of photos and detailed explanations

My remaining TIP is that you make a LABEL for this, and ALL YOUR QUILTS. It tells the who, what, why, when and where of this quilt. The designer and quilter, if not you, needs to be  recognized. See my Label Tutorial for more information:

LABEL TUTORIAL

It's time for my annual REMINDER: all the patterns for LAUREL RIDGE, both colorways, are ONLY AVAILABLE FREE TO STAR MEMBERS until December 31, 2025. After that date, all rights to the patterns return to the designer. No one on The Quilt Show, including Star Members, can give any of these patterns to anyone after the end of this year. That is copyright violation. We respect and protect our designers so we can continue to provide these valuable quilt projects FREE TO OUR MEMBERS. Any patterns you are missing you will have to buy from the designer.

If you haven't saved all the patterns, do it now. If you haven't started, but think you might "someday", save them now. There is an easy link available to save all of the patterns at once. The GOOD NEWS is my blogs remain available free as always, with no ads, pop-ups or anything for sale. Just me sharing what I know.

If you are not currently a STAR MEMBER, JOIN any time before December 31, 2025  and you will have full access to ALL the LAUREL RIDGE patterns as well as the INTRODUCTION to the 2026 BOM--it's so good!  

I hope you have enjoyed making LAUREL RIDGE. It may have taught you a lot, more than you know right now. 

See you in 2026 with the new BLOCK OF THE MONTH--it's another great one!

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 11

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

Month 11 brings us to the rest of the block piecing. There are two parts to this month's pattern: the CENTER BLOCK  and the remaining 20 FOUR PATCH IN A STAR BLOCKS.  The pattens have now moved to PAGE 2 in the LAUREL RIDGE 2025 BOM Patterns listing, find them there.

The pattern instructions for the CENTER BLOCK are easy to follow. They are pages 1-9 in Month 11.  There are a few new techniques and some old favorites. Here are the centers, each is 20" finished, 20.5" with seam allowance:

Granddaughter's SPRING

Grandmother's AUTUMN

My center is completely different so I did not make it according to the pattern. I also added some additional fabrics to my quilt. As long as the fabrics look like they "belong" in the quilt, they are fine:

In addition to the CENTER BLOCK, there are 20 more FOUR PATCH IN A STAR Blocks to make. We have done these twice before this year. They are the last 4 pages in the pattern. 

Find my previous posts about them here:

MONTH 1

MONTH 7  I discuss my cutting changes for the Star Points that allow me to quickly and accurately draw the lines on the back of the small squares. 

You will find these easy to do at this point. Here is the Autumn version:

The two gold blocks in the lower right 

Once you have the CENTER BLOCK and FOUR PATCH IN A STAR blocks done, you are ready to assemble the quilt. That is MONTH 12, also released now. 

It's time for my annual REMINDER: all the patterns for LAUREL RIDGE, both colorways, are ONLY AVAILABLE FREE TO STAR MEMBERS until December 31, 2025. After that date, all rights to the patterns return to the designer. No one on The Quilt Show, including Star Members, can give any of these patterns to anyone after the end of this year. That is copyright violation. We respect and protect our designers so we can continue to provide these valuable quilt projects FREE TO OUR MEMBERS. Any patterns you are missing you will have to buy from the designer.

If you haven't saved all the patterns, do it now. If you haven't started, but think you might "someday", save them now. There will be an easy link available soon to save all of the patterns at once. The GOOD NEWS is my blogs remain available free as always, with no ads, pop-ups or anything for sale. Just me sharing what I know.

If you are not currently a STAR MEMBER, JOIN any time before December 31, 2025  and you will have full access to ALL the LAUREL RIDGE patterns as well as the INTRODUCTION to the 2026 BOM--it's so good!  

There are so many good lessons in this quilt, you may find yourself returning to them over time as you work on other projects. Each new skill you learn adds to your "toolbox" of magic tricks as a quiltmaker.

Let's quilt,

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 10

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

Moving right along to Month 10. Now we make the Plaid Star blocks. There are only 8 of those and they are easy.  By now, you have made this star many times. Having only one square of fabric for the center makes this the fastest star yet:                                                                                     

                                                            

The only change I make to patterns that make "Four Flying Geese at Once" is to cut bigger squares, the equivalent of 4 smaller squares, to speed up the process of drawing the lines on the back of each square.

The Star Points are part of the Flying Geese units. Each block requires four Flying Geese units so making four at once is smart and efficient.

The pattern calls for 32 squares, each 2.25". Instead I cut 8 squares, 4.5". On the back of each of the 8 squares I draw diagonal lines in both directions. Now it is a simple matter to cut the 4.5" square in half, in both directions, think North/South and East/West. In less time than it takes me to describe this, you have the needed pencil lines drawn. I sew with a 1/4" presser foot so I only have to draw one line, sewing 1/4" away from the line.

(If you prefer to draw the sewing lines, it is still fast and easy to draw two lines on the larger square, 1/4" away from the center--that makes the lines 1/2" apart.)  

Then cut it into 4 smaller squares:

I used a Pigma pen so you can see it. My go-to is a mechanical pencil for fine lines

Cut apart from the center in both directions--now you have 4 squares, each 2.25" with the line drawn on each

See my post for making Flying Geese from way back in MONTH 1.  You will find my detailed instructions there. While I said back then I planned to enlarge the square to 4.75",  I found that was not necessary and stuck with 4.5" squares.

I also have a TUTORIAL on making Four Flying Geese at Once that has a chart for a variety of sizes. Find it HERE.

As always, I strongly recommend you watch Lynn's Video for Month 10. It is 7 minutes of good instruction and clear images of the process of making four flying geese at once. The measurements are oversized so you will "TRIM TO PERFECTION", making each unit 1.75" x 3", including seam allowances. They finish at 1.25" x 2.5" when sewn into the quilt. 

Good News! Next month, on November 1, BOTH Months 11 and 12 will be released so you can finish your quilt. My top is at the longarmer and I hope to have it to show you then.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 8

 Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

This month we make the "Cat's Cradle" block, 32 of them. Making half square triangle blocks in units of 8 make these very fast and easy:

The only cutting change I made is my usual one: I upped the size of the pink triangles to 3.5" squares and the large background triangles I cut from 6" squares. I prefer to "trim to perfection".

This does mean I had to trim the pieced half of the block so the large background triangle fits correctly:

Using a Half Square Triangle ruler, I placed the 1/4" diagonal line on the center spot where the pink triangles cross the yellow triangle. The 5.5" line on the ruler is at the bottom of the triangle, and I can see that the HST square will be in 1/4" on both points--very important.

When sewing the large background triangle to the pieced half of the block, you want to "cross the X"--this will insure your middle is perfect:

With blocks as easy as these, I usually prepare all the pieces needed, following the excellent cutting instructions in the pattern. Then I work on these as "leader/ender" units while working on other projects. The pieces are made over time, then it is a simple matter to complete the blocks with the sewn parts. 

If I just want to make these 32 blocks immediately, I use a different ongoing project as my "leader/ender". My 3" Old Italian blocks are perfect for this task. See the instructions here: Summer Sew A Long:

Next month we move on to Nine Patch Stars, the blocks with the most pieces.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 5

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

This month we make Basket Blocks, 20 of them. Many people love basket blocks, as I do, and I am happy to see them in this wonderful sampler quilt.

As usual, the pattern directions are excellent. I made very few cutting adjustments. 

First, before cutting any BACKGROUND fabric, I checked my "leftovers" from the past 5 months to see what I could cut from it. I keep all the "leftovers" in a large ziploc bag, separate from the Kit yardage. Fortunately, I could cut several of the pieces needed for Month 5 from the background leftovers. So check there first before cutting lots of new strips from the yardage.

CUTTING ADJUSTMENTS:

Background  D outside corner triangle--I cut the strip 3" instead of 2 7/8", my personal preference. 

Feet of the Basket  G--I cut the strip 2" instead of 1 7/8". This did mean I had to carefully trim the block before adding the D outside corner to complete the block. See photo below.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

Making 8 Half Square Triangles at once is a great thing I have learned from this project. I often make 24 at once, or 4, or "some", but Lynn's method for making 8 all the same is very handy in this, and many other quilts.  This month we NEED 20 Half Square Triangles for the middle of the block. The technique makes 24. So, don't panic, you will have 4 HST leftover. 

CONSTRUCTION:

My pieces laid out. Be careful to get the small HSTs going in the correct orientation:

These two speed-sewing units will make 8 HSTs each of the two sizes needed:

Cut apart on the North/South and East/West axis first, then cut on the drawn diagonal lines:

Press toward the darker fabric then "Trim to Perfection" to the correct size:

With small sizes like those used in this quilt, precise piecing really matters. The instructions tell you what size the various units need to be. It pays to take time to check that yours are the right size with each seam. I often find I need to trim small amounts from a unit because I tend to have a narrow seam allowance. I want to find my mistake AS SOON AS I MAKE IT, rather than after the block is complete and is too big:

There is one extra step I needed to take because I cut the G triangles slightly larger than needed. The two BLUE small triangles (from the Spring Kit) need to be 1/4" away from the outside edge where the D white background triangle joins them. 

I simply used a ruler, placing the 1/4" line on the center place where the two BLUE triangles meet, trimming away a slight amount to get that outside seam ready:

What a help it is to now have a 5.5" Quilters Select Square ruler to check my blocks, being sure they are the correct size!  It is such a help:

What a lovely little basket.

Next month we will make the LARGER APPLIQUE blocks. I will show my "optional alternative" pieced blocks. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 4

 Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

This month we make the Checkerboard Block, 32 of them. The pink fabric here is not part of the Spring Kit, I substituted it for the Pink Parchment:

First, my most important advice is READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. Follow the cutting instructions; the number of strips to cut and how to sub-cut them are important. 

The only CUTTING CHANGES I recommend is to cut A, the large floral fabric, Ivory Amazing Grace, 6" rather than 5 7/8". And I also cut B, Pink Copper Trail, 2" vs 1 7/8".  I really like having just that little bit extra for trimming. 

NOTE: My first block was less than perfect. Things didn't fit. The problem was my SEAM ALLOWANCE. Check each step as you go. You want to find the mistake as soon as you make it, not when the block is done but not quite right.

AND I found it VERY HELPFUL to use Starch, Sizing or Best Press on the fabrics before I cut them. After my first sad block, I took time to use Best Press on all the fabrics for the rest of the blocks. 

Make the STRIP SETS as described in the pattern. BE SURE they measure the correct size! For example, ROW 1 has four strips sewn into strata--the strata must measure 4.5" high when sewn. Follow the ARROWS that indicate which direction to sew each strip--this insures you get straight sets of fabric.

ROW 2 measures 3.5" and ROW 3 measures 2.5"--just like it says in the pattern. 

One additional measurement I strongly recommend you check is as you sew the ROWS together. Pairs of rows need to be 2.5" wide. Place the 1.25" line on the ruler on the sewn seam--if the pair is a bit too wide it is easy to trim the outer edges so it is exactly 2.5" wide:

Two pairs sewn together will be 4.5" wide. 

Follow all the ARROWS--for the direction to sew the strips, and the pressing directions. They are well thought out and they WORK.

One last check I made before completing the block was to trim the "dog ears" off the diagonal edge, being sure the point where the PIECED HALF meets the FLORAL HALF was exactly 1/4" in. Using a Half Square Triangle Ruler made this easy: 

The BEST TOOL I now have is the 5.5" SQUARE RULER. What a good investment for this quilt! From simple blocks like last month's large Half Square Triangle to these more complex, "have many pieces" blocks, using the 5.5" square ruler to do the final block trimming is great. They are currently available in the SHOP:

Have fun making these blocks. They take a while but you have all month! 

And next month we will make the lovely BASKET BLOCKS. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 3

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

This month we make Half Square Triangles--BIG ONES! We make a lot, 48 total, but the designer's method for making 8 at once makes it fast and easy.

Here are mine. Note I changed the Spiceberry Pink fabric for a deep Green from my stash:

The pattern instructions are excellent and Lynn Wilder provides a Video too, so you will find this month fun to do.

I am a math person so love to have "formulas" for making several blocks at once. Half Square Triangles, 8 at a time? Right up my alley! 

The formula is so easy:

Finished size of the HST = 5". Multiple this by 2 = 10". 

Add 2" for the seam allowances = 12". 

Lynn recommends and I was very glad I did, adding an additional 1/2". 

Cut ONE 12.5" square of BOTH FABRICS. This will give you 8 HST, that FINISH AT 5"--meaning once sewn into the quilt. The HST unit when made has to be 5.5" including Seam Allowances.  This formula works for ANY SIZE HST you want to make 8 at a time.

FIRST STEP: Draw diagonal lines from corner to corner on BOTH DIAGONALS on the back of the lightest fabric. Place fabrics RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, then sew 1/4" on BOTH SIDES OF THE LINE. If you don't use a 1/4" foot you can draw the sewing lines if you like:

SECOND STEP: Cut the large square into FOUR SMALL squares, by cutting North, South, East and West--or "make a cross" as Lynn says: 

Then it is a simple matter to press toward the darker fabric--the Floral or the Green in my case--and "trim to perfection", making the HST exactly 5.5" square:

Lynn has additional excellent Tutorials on lots of these kinds of tips in the Classroom at The Quilt Show: Easy Patchwork Math.  She has included a link to the Tutorial that applies to each month directly on the Pattern Instructions. I encourage you to take a look at those each month. Much of what she teaches in those lessons is exactly how I do the steps. 

Next month we move on to blocks that will take a good bit more time than these, the Checkerboard Blocks.

Remember you can Ask Questions and Share Your Progress on  THE FORUM.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 2

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

This month the pattern is for the 5" applique blocks. There are 4 sets of 3 applique blocks this month. Lynn has a Video for the applique and discussed applique in her show, #3601, FREE FOR ALL  to watch this entire year. Follow Lynn's excellent instructions for her applique designs. 

I chose not to include any applique in my quilt so I looked through Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns for ideas of what to substitute. 

BIG WARNING: if you are using either of the KITS,  my substitution Blocks and/or Fabrics were not part of the Kit calculations. I know there is a "little" extra fabric in each Kit, but there is NO GUARANTEE you will have enough Kit fabric with my changes. If this makes you nervous, just FOLLOW THE PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS with NO CHANGES. 

Here are 3 options I think will work. The first two I paper-pieced, the third is a regular pieced block.

Option 1: X Block 5", 3 in a row

One block 5" FINISHED: the yellow is an additional fabric I added

The pattern is drawn in EQ8 but it is very easy to draw with a pencil and paper. Each of the 4 squares are 2.5" FINISHED--draw a 3" square, this accounts for the seam allowance around the edges. The center white strip is symmetrical on the square and 7/8" wide FINISHED--OR whatever size you like. I wrote in the 4 colors I used for the triangles so I wouldn't get confused. Make 4 of the small squares, sew them together as a four-patch and the block is 5" FINISHED, 5.5" including seam allowance.

                                                            

OPTION 2: Rolling Block 5", 3 in a row: I like the circular feel of this one

One block, 5" FINISHED: the yellow and dark green are additional fabrics I added

Again, my pattern is drawn in EQ8 but is very easy to draw on paper. Each unit is 2" FINISHED, the outer white triangles are 1.5" on the outside edge, the smaller inner white triangles are 1" on the outside edge. My colored strips are 1" FINISHED OR whatever size you like. The white sashing and green squares are 1" wide FINISHED. NOTE: the center strip is NOT centered symmetrically on the block:

OPTION 3: Another X Block, 3 in a row: I love the simplicity of this. NOT paper pieced:

I simply drew a 5" square on paper, made the center white strip 1" wide and symmetrical on the square; what is left are the 4 colored QST triangles. Cut a 5" square of four different fabrics, cut on both diagonals and there you have the quarter square triangles (QST) needed to make 4 blocks. There are a total of 12 blocks in the quilt:

At this moment I am leaning toward Option 3, the easiest and fastest. I won't decide until much later in the year when a lot more of the quilt is done. 

If you want to substitute a pieced block for the applique, ANY 5" block might work. Try a few to see what you like. You can always make a "test" block with extra fabrics from your stash to see if you like it before using your "official" Laurel Ridge fabrics. You DO have extra fabrics right?!

Later this year we will have the other applique block to make, 5" x 7.5" FINISHED. I have some ideas on what I plan to do there too. Stay tuned...

I have written about paper piecing with Freezer Paper several times. Find one HERE if you are new to using Freezer Paper for foundation.

I have also written about applique, both machine and hand, quite a few times. THIS ONE might be helpful for this month's applique if you are doing that. 

Share your progress on the FORUM we want to see what you are doing!

Next month we move on to a very easy block that will get us further along on the journey.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

LAUREL RIDGE -- MONTH 1

Laurel Ridge is the 2025 Block of the Month quilt designed by Lynn Wilder exclusively for The Quilt Show.  Star Members have FREE access to the patterns starting January 1, 2025. Made in two colorways, the complete patterns are excellent. You will love making this quilt. Lynn supports the pattern instructions with Videos too. 

Be sure to watch Lynn's Show, #3601, airing December 29, 2024. It is FREE TO ALL, so tell your friends to watch. 

Find the Monthly Patterns under LEARN--DOWNLOAD the pattern to your device before printing. 

Month 1 has us making FOUR PATCH IN A STAR blocks, 4 each in TWO colorways. 

IMPORTANT CAUTIONARY NOTE: While I am using the SPRING KIT, I have added a few additional fabrics and occasionally selected different Kit fabrics for certain blocks. I cannot guarantee the Kit has enough fabric when I use one in a place not intended by the designer. If you are concerned about that, simply follow the design instructions exactly as written for either of the Kits. 

My FOUR PATCH IN A STAR BLOCKS:

The pattern instructions are excellent. I offer tips when I have a suggestion that saves time for ME. 

This month I suggest these cutting adjustments:

1. Letter D--the instructions say to cut 2 strips--you will definitely need 1 but may not need the second one this month. I did NOT NEED the second one to make all the 4-patches required. This depends entirely on how wide your fabric is. Some  WOF may be 40", others are 42" or more. 

2. Letter E--the instructions say to cut 2 strips, then sub-cut into squares before drawing the sewing line on the wrong side. I prefer to cut larger squares, draw the lines, then cut them apart. I cut 1 strip 4 1/2"  but next time I will cut it 4 3/4" for a little more "insurance". NOTE: 4 3/4" worked much better for me.

8 larger Squares provide the 32 smaller squares needed this month. Using a mechanical pencil I carefully drew diagonal lines from corner to corner on the WRONG SIDE of the fabric. Carefully cut the large square into 4 smaller squares--the lines are already drawn, it's like magic:

The instructions and Lynn's Video show how to draw the diagonal lines using a small 1/2" wide ruler. I have one of those somewhere! Once I learned this trick for quickly drawing lines on four squares at once I never looked for that little ruler again.  With an accurate 1/4" presser foot, I only need to draw the center line. If you prefer to draw the SEWING LINES, draw 1/4" away from the center on both sides of the diagonal.

Yes, I know there are other ways to make Flying Geese (FG). This is my preferred method. The measurements are slightly oversized so you can "Trim to Perfection".

It is VERY IMPORTANT to trim these Flying Geese units to 3" by 1.75"--they FINISH at 2.5" x 1.25"--that is when sewn into the block. Lynn's Video for Month 1 shows how to trim using the Bloc Loc ruler.

When I made these first Flying Geese units I didn't have the Bloc Loc ruler in that size. To use a square ruler, place the 1.5" line at the middle of the unit, being sure the height is at least 1 3/4".  Trim the right and top sides to that size--this is the FIRST CUT:

Turn the unit completely around, place the 1.5" line at  the middle again and trim the remaining two sides. The first cut is IMPORTANT,  the second cut is CRITICAL. It will determine what size the Flying Geese unit is: 

What if you have a Bloc Loc Ruler that is NOT THE RIGHT SIZE? Can you use it? Yes, sort of. The 45 degree angle at the peak of the Flying "Goose" is the same angle, regardless of size. You can use a larger Bloc Loc ruler to cut the TOP EDGE of the unit.

In the photo below, the top FG unit shows the accurate ruler size and the bottom FG unit shows a much larger ruler:

 

The larger ruler can help you cut the TOP EDGE only of the FG. Use a square ruler as described above to cut the remaining 3 sides. BE SURE TO TRIM TO 3" X 1.75":

Notice the FG unit is now turned upside down. Place the 1.5" mark on the ruler at the V of the FG, keeping the diagonal line on the seam. The unit must be 1.75" high to be cut accurately so be sure to look at the lower edge BEFORE CUTTING: 

Trim the right and top sides:

Turn the FG unit  again so you can trim the remaining edge. The unit needs to be 1.75" x 3":

Lucy K made a post on the FORUM that the Deb Tucker Wing Clipper II ruler had the markings for the correct size Flying Goose:  1.75" x 3" cut size, 1.25" x 2.5" finished size. My local quilt shop had this ruler in stock so I bought it to try:

It was successful if I was careful to hold the ruler tightly in place while trimming. Having gotten VERY USED to quality rulers with non-slip stuff on the bottom, Quilter's Select and Creative Grids, I found it easy for the ruler to slip as I was trimming. Putting solid pressure on the ruler prevented that, I just had to remember I really had to press down firmly. 

AVAILABLE NOW:

The Quilt Show Store Wing Clipper II

First I watched the video on the Deb Tucker Wing Clipper II page. Very simple to understand. Here are photos of my process:

The diagonal line goes on the right diagonal seam. Remember to CUT 1 3/4" x 3". Trim the right and top sides:

Turn the unit upside down. The X sits exactly at the Point of the goose, the 1 3/4" line is now at the bottom and the 3" line is on the left side. HOLD tight as you trim to exactly 1 3/4" x 3":

So it is clear you don't have to have specific rulers to make Flying Geese.  As it is difficult to find the 1.75" x 2.5" Bloc Loc Flying Geese Ruler most will be using another type of ruler to trim the FG units. Once you get the hang of your preferred method you will be all set. The EXACT SIZE BLOC LOC FG Ruler just makes the trimming process easy, accurate and fast. If and when more of these rulers become available I will announce it on the FORUM

I love making Four Flying Geese at once and always make them the way Lynn describes in the pattern and her video. Making them OVERSIZE allows for insurance. You just have to know what size to cut the squares for the specific size Flying Goose you want to make. I have a TUTORIAL here you might also find helpful: Four Flying Geese

Here is a GREAT CHART that shows the sizes to cut squares needed for a variety of Flying Geese units Four at a Time Oversized: The Crafty Quilter

The 4-Patches are simple to make. The pattern instructions say to press the seams open. I don't usually do that. I "twirled" the center:

The pattern instructions clearly show how to assemble the block with the Flying Geese and 4-Patch units. I pin at all intersections and sew carefully. It's not a race, sew as slowly as needed to be successful. Double check your blocks to be sure they are the correct size when complete.

The pattern instructions also say to press seams open in the block construction. I will be interested to hear what Lynn says about this. For now, I pressed mine like the one on top, the one on bottom is pressed open:

At the time I made these blocks I did not have access to Lynn's show or videos. After I watch those, I may change my mind about pressing. 

Next month the first applique blocks are made. I am working on "optional alternative pieced blocks" should you prefer not to do applique. The choice is completely yours.

Let's quilt.

Barbara