No-waste flying geese.

Answer

For flying geese that finish 4 in wide by 2 in high, cut one large square 5 1/4 in and four small squares 2 7/8 in. The rule for a 1/4 in seam is large square = finished width + 1 1/4 in and small squares = finished height + 7/8 in, and they make four units.

Worked example

You want 10 units finishing 4 x 2 in. Large square = 4 + 1.25 = 5 1/4 in. Small squares = 2 + 0.875 = 2 7/8 in. One set (1 large, 4 small) makes 4 units, so 10 units need 3 sets: 3 large and 12 small squares, which makes 12 units. Each unit measures 4.5 x 2.5 in unfinished. At 6 in wide the large square is 7 1/4 in and the small squares are 3 7/8 in.

How it works

The method assumes a 2:1 unit, so the finished height is half the finished width. In the QUILTsocial tutorial the small squares are marked with a diagonal line and placed on opposite corners of the large square, then sewn 1/4 in away from that line on both sides, then cut on the line. The constants (1 1/4 in and 7/8 in) are the published values for a 1/4 in seam allowance; for centimetres this tool converts them at 1 in = 2.54 cm, so use it only with a seam allowance of about 6 mm.

Not 2:1? This method only makes units twice as wide as high. Other shapes need a different cutting method.

Sources (opened 2026-10-08): 12 easy steps to making no waste flying geese - Pick a size (QUILTsocial).

FAQ

What size squares make 4 x 2 inch flying geese?

Cut one 5 1/4 in square and four 2 7/8 in squares. That makes four units that finish 4 in wide by 2 in high with a 1/4 in seam.

How do I find the large square size for no-waste flying geese?

Take the finished width of one unit and add 1 1/4 in. For 6 in wide geese the large square is 7 1/4 in.

How do I find the small square size?

Take the finished height of one unit, which is half the width, and add 7/8 in. For 3 in high geese the small squares are 3 7/8 in.

How many flying geese units does one set make?

Four. One large square and four small squares make four identical units, so the number of units you need rounds up to a multiple of four.

Can I make geese that are not twice as wide as high?

Not with this method. It gives 2:1 units only. Use a different technique for other proportions.