Saturday, April 5, 2014

The flying geese experiment continues ~ and a giveaway!

** The giveaway is now over and the winner has been announced here.  Thanks to all who entered! **

A couple of days ago I experimented with a new-to-me method of making flying geese units.  For a tutorial, visit this website and scroll down for the second method described.  I was really pleased with the results, it is truly a no-waste method.  Then on Instagram I was pointed in the direction of yet another method, which I tried yesterday.


Obviously the results look quite the same as any other flying geese but the steps taken are really different.  Another one of those "how is this ever going to end up being what it's supposed to be" sort of things!  The tutorial for this method can be found here.  The previous method I tried really only had pros, and this latest method has a few pros and cons.  
Pros:
  • you end up with a unit slightly larger which is then trimmed down to size, so there is a greater margin of error.  A plus if you're not confident in your 1/4" seam.  You will end up with units that are exactly the right size.
  • with just 2 squares of fabric and a really easy step-by-step, you end up with four flying geese units
Cons:
  • this is not a no-waste method.  Because you are trimming the units down to size you end up with waste, and compared with the traditional flying geese method (the first method described here) where you end up with useable waste (half square triangles), in this case you end up with unuseable waste.  Granted not a lot, but still some.
  • you will end up with four identical flying geese units, which is fine if that's what you're after, but if you want to go for a scrappier look (like the units I made a couple of days ago) this isn't the method for you.
I would like to send one of these mini quilts/mug rugs to one of you!  To enter, leave a comment on this post letting me know if you would like this blue one, or the orange one.  For a second entry, if you follow me on Instagram (@windingbobbins) leave a second comment on this post to let me know.

The giveaway will end on Thursday, April 10/14.  Good luck!

42 comments:

Edige said...

It's great! I would like the orange one...
Thank you for the chance,
Edit from Hungary

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Wow that kind of seems a little complicated for me. I prefer the tutorial from yesterday but obviously I haven't actually tried either of them! I like the orange mug rug. I'm slowly trying to fill my house with things you've made ;)

Debbie said...

This is great info to have - thanks for clearing things up! And, I'm partial to the orange...

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

I love that your points are PERFECT! This blue one is amazing :)

Patti said...

Sounds like method one is the way to go! You did a great job on rheum both, Heather. The orange is my favourite" thanks for giving one away...so nice!

Patti said...

Wow, and I follow you on IG! You were one of the very first ones I started following too! Again, thanks for the chance.

OhioLori said...

Very nice! Thanks for sharing how to do! I definitely LOOOOVE the Orange one!! Speaks sunshine & warm days to me!!

(don't do IG, FB, etc...)

Cheryl said...

Thanks for posting this! I love the blue one.

Cheryl said...

I now follow you on Instagram, I'm MeadowMistDesigns

Yvonne Campbell said...

I love both!You choose. Thanks for sharing the methods. These are both fantastic!

Yvonne Campbell said...

I follow you on instagram.

Lisa B said...

Blue is my favorite color but orange is my next favorite so either will work. I love your blog.

Kirsten said...

Your matchstick quilting looks fab - love this blue one!

DebraKay Neiman said...

I like today's tutorial and I love the BLUE ONE. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

Both are so pretty... but if I had to choose it would be the blue one. Thanks for the tutorials and sweet giveaway :)

Charlotte said...

Would enjoy either - if forced to choose, probably orange. Thank U!

DeborahGun said...

Thanks Heather for doing such great reviews. I love them both but probably the blue one slightly more :-)

DeborahGun said...

I follow on IG!

Maria said...

I just went over to check both tutorials and although I've never made any flying geese I think the first method would be easier. I love both of your mats but being as I like cool colours I'd choose the blue one.
Thanks for the chance to win.

Katie B said...

Orange! :)

Katie B said...

I follow on IG!!
!

Jill R. said...

I think I like the blue one best. Thanks for the info! :)

Michele T said...

Thanks for sharing this information.... Good to know! I love the blue one!!

Julianne said...

BLUE BLUE BLUE! Thanks!

Anne said...

Orange all the way!! Thanks for the tutorial suggestions.

Anne said...

I am now following you on Instagram.

Gill said...

Your points are perfect - thanks for a link to the tutorial!
I love the orange one!

Susan said...

The orange mug rug made with that method is my favourite! Thanks for sharing the links and your creations!

Susan said...

And I follow you in IG!

nicole said...

Thanks for trying that second tutorial out, saves me from giving it a go!! Ha! Both your mug rugs look awesome, but that orange one... that's the one for me!

Alisa said...

The orange one!

overbyel said...

Orange is my favorite color BUT any colored mug rug would be my favorite- both are beautiful!

overbyel said...

P.S. I am an instagram follower also. Thanks!

Suz J said...

Love the orange one. And check out the new profile photos!

Unknown said...

I LOVE flying geese! I would love the orange. I love the fabric you used for the binding!

Unknown said...

I'm following you on IG. Love the orange, but the blue is nice, too!

Katherine said...

Oh, this blue version is lovely, Heather. Love how your experimenting with different piecing methods for those geese. Such wonderful finishes!

Sarah said...

Beautiful! I would like the blue one. Thanks for the giveaway. sarah@forrussia.org

Kleep said...

I love the orange one that you made!!

Kleep said...

Also, I happen to follow you on instagram!

Kleep said...

Also also, I just saw that you finished the giveaway--oopsies!

carla said...

Hi!!! They are both very pretty!!!! I guess the orange would be my choice!!!! Thanks for the fun give away!!!!