Geesey Geesey: Cutting
This post is part of the Geesey Geesey Sew-Along! See all posts.
Over the course of several weeks, I’ll be making a Geesey Geesey quilt alongside you. This is our final prep week. Next week, we start sewing!
Are you sewing-along? Please share your progress pictures, wherever you are in the process, on Instagram with #GeeseyGeeseySAL. It really sustains momentum and spurs new ideas to see everyone else in the process. We can learn from each other, inspire each other and just generally have a good time!
Make sure you follow @StitchedinColor, and @CharmAboutYou in order to be eligible to win prizes. More on that at the end of this post!
Week 2: Cutting
Have you settled on a style for your Geesey quilt? Have you picked out your fabrics? If you’re lucky enough to already have your fabrics, this week is dedicated to cutting. No fabrics yet? Don’t worry, you can also cut for each week, instead of cutting all in advance. Of course, cutting in advance just makes the sewing weeks lighter.
So first off, you’ll find the cutting triangle templates in your copy of the Geesey quilt pattern. Print these out at 100%, with no scaling. You might like to print on cardstock for a sturdier template. Seam allowances are already included.
This style of cutting is based on the Fons & Porter flying geese ruler. I own the ruler, so you’ll see me using it here. I like this method of sewing geese because the blunt triangle edges help with alignment and make it possible to sew blocks within having to trim them up later. It also allows you to use the same fabric strip to cut geese pieces and background pieces. That simplifies cutting and reduces fabric waste. However, if you prefer another method of sewing flying geese, feel free to stick with your favorite. We’re making 3” x 6” finished geese. Keep in mind that if your method relies on trimming blocks down to size, you’ll definitely need more fabric than noted in the Geesey quilt pattern.
The Geesey quilt pattern has detailed cutting instructions. Today I’ll share some extra cutting tips.
Cut Smart!
Are you making a scrap quilt? Or, are you planning to use the same fabrics for backgrounds as for geese? If you’re making a Palette quilt, Palette Scrappy or a Super Scrappy quilt, here’s a smart way to efficiently use your fabric when cutting large triangles:
Cut 3.5” fabric strips, as long as possible
Fold so that wrong sides are together (or keep factory fold, if you’re cutting full width-of-fabric strips). Orient the double-layer strip horizontally on your cutting mat. If you’re right handed, place the fold to the right (reverse for left-handed).
Place the small triangle template on the far left end of the double-layer strip. Cut 1 pair of mirrored small triangles.
Now, continue cutting using the large triangle template, as many large triangles as possible.
When you run out of fabric, finish by cutting another pair of small triangles. As a result any leftover scraps will be squared off, instead of triangle!
By starting and ending with the small triangle template, you avoid creating tricky triangle scraps. Hooray! Also, it’s key that you’re cutting with fabrics double-layered so that mirrored small triangles automatically result.
Scrap Cutting
Cutting from scraps is trickier, but totally doable. Larger scraps are easier for sure. Here are some tips:
Whether you’re cutting small or large triangles, always start by trimming scraps into 3.5” fabric strips.
Cut small triangles out of identical fabrics. Even if your’e going super-scrappy, it would probably be overwhelming to have small triangles “pairs” made of different fabrics.
Small triangles have to be mirror images of each other, which can be mind boggling when you’re cutting from scraps. To keep this part simple, always cut your small triangles from double-layer fabric strips. For example, I cut two 3.5” fabric strips from this red scrap fabric, layered the strips wrong side together and then cut a series of small triangle pairs:
Using small scraps and can’t double layer? Here’s what to do. Cut one large triangle from the middle of the scrap plus two small triangles, one on each side of the large triangle. Because the small triangles are cut on opposite sides of the large triangle, they are automatically mirrored.
Save time by stacking multiple 3.5” scrappy strips that will be cut in the same manner and cutting at once.
How much to cut?
Generally speaking, it’s not wise to cut all the small and large triangles that you will need, at this point. It’s good to leave some cutting for later, so that you can make sure you are pleased with your geese/background combinations and the layout of your quilt.
For the Palette, Palette scrappy or Super Scrappy quilts, I suggest cutting fabrics for about 200 geese this week. Cut the remaining fabrics during the sewing weeks, when you find yourself wanting to add more of a specific color or fabric.
For the Flight Pattern or Flight Pattern Scrappy quilts, cut all small background triangles and all large dark value 1, dark value 2 and pop color fabrics. Also cut about 150 of your medium value large triangles. Cut the remaining medium value large triangles during the sewing weeks, emphasizing your favorite fabrics.
Are you making a replication of my Indie Folk Geesey quilt? I have prepared a cut sheet for you, which lists exactly how many small triangle pairs and how many large triangles to cut from each fabric I used. Download the Indie Folk Cut Sheet, meant to be used along with your copy of the Geesey quilt pattern. Enjoy!
Sew-Along Community
It’s so fun to see your Geesey project beginning to pop up in my Instagram feed! Here are some recent additions from our sew-along community:
Thanks for sharing, friends!