Using strip sets to make quick and easy quilt blocks by Christine Baker January 5, 2016 written by Christine Baker January 5, 2016 1.5K My fabric has arrived! Thanks to Elaine at Northcott, my fabric arrived quickly and I’m able to get started on my quilt. I asked for more of the flying geese stripe and one of the Mod Squad panels that Nellie and I used for our Modern Vibe quilt pattern. I ordered more of the black tone-on-tone that I used for my retreat tote since it looks so nice with the other fabrics and a few more of the ColorWorks solids. I have an idea of the block I want to use, so today we’re going to be using strip sets to make quick and easy quilt blocks! The fabrics have arrived! Fabric requirements This week I’m going to be making a lap sized quilt. If you’d like to sew along with me, you’ll need the following fabrics: 1 panel mod squad panel #20794-44 44″ flying geese stripe #20792-99 44″ black tone-on-tone #20826-98 5 solids – 8″ each (ColorWorks #9000-28, #9000-45, #9000-54, #9000-71 and #9000-840 were used for this quilt) 8″ inner border 36″ outer border 16″ binding 118″ backing batting – 60″ x 80″ Cutting the strips Since the flying geese stripes run the length of the fabric, I’m going to cut one strip that’s 42″ wide and then sub-cut it into strips. Using my rotary cutter and ruler, I trim each of the flying geese stripes so that there is get a scant ¼” seam on each side. Trim each stripe with a ¼” seam allowance along each side Cut 10 flying geese strips. Set aside the 1″ striped strips for a future sewing project Cutting the other strips From each of the 5 solid fabrics: cut 4 – 1¼” x WOF (width of fabric) strips. From the black tone-on-tone fabric: cut 20 – 2″ x WOF strips. Twenty 1¼” strips of solid colored fabrics Sewing the strip sets Strip sets are long (often width of fabric) strips that are sewn together and then sub-cut into blocks. This is a fast and efficient way to make blocks since you don’t have to cut all the smaller sections of the blocks before they are sewn together. You can also chain piece the strip sets to make things go together even faster! Sew one solid colored fabric to each side of one flying geese strip. Press towards the colored strips. To make sure that the striped fabric doesn’t show on the front, sew with the flying geese fabric on the top and sew right along the edge of the striped part of the fabric. The striped part of the flying geese fabric is showing on the front because the seam allowance is too small Sew right along the line between the flying geese and the stripes Sew one solid fabric strip to each side of the flying geese strip Sew one black tone-on-tone strip to each side of the strip set. Sew one black strip to each side to make one finished strip set Sew the remainder of the strip sets Repeat this process with each of the flying geese strips to make a total of ten strip sets, two of each solid color of fabric. Tomorrow we’ll sub-cut these strip sets into blocks and we’ll start arranging them into our quilt design. You’ll see that using strip sets to make quick and easy quilt blocks is a great way to make use of the flying geese fabric! Print this page or save as a PDF block tutorialblocksfabricflying geeselap quiltnorthcottnorthcott fabricsquiltquilt blockstrip sets FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditWhatsappTelegramEmail Christine Baker I have been designing and publishing quilt patterns for the last 16 years under the business name Fairfield Road Designs. My patterns range from fusible applique and piecing to felted wool applique and punchneedle. You can see all of patterns on my website www.fairfieldroaddesigns.com. previous post Flying geese in quilt blocks, sashing and borders next post Cutting ColorWorks Concepts strip sets YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... QUILTsocial Giveaway 288: Jungle Rose 12-Fat Quarter Fabric... Get your Banyan Batiks Baralla, we’re making a... QUILTsocial Giveaway 284: Baralla 12-Fat Quarter Fabric Bundle! 5 tips to create the best ever quilt... The secret to modern quilting using the straight... How a short stitch, in quilting, can save... How to choose a quilt design for fabric... Falling in love with Banyan Batiks Kayana autumn... Banyan Batiks Kayana Autumn fabric steals the fall... 11 comments Thunder October 1, 2018 - 9:54 pm Love these bright colors ❗❗ Reply Jill Anderson January 15, 2016 - 9:24 pm Wow these fabric colours are vibrant. And those flying geese are so much easier than the real thing. I am certainly going to look for this fabric for my next quilt Reply Michele Timms January 10, 2016 - 8:37 am These colours are amazing!!! Thanks for sharing some great ideas with these fabrics!! I need to get some and create something vibrant and beautiful!! Reply Kathy MacKie January 9, 2016 - 1:53 pm I must get over the fear of using solids, thanks for the great instructions. Reply Elaine Morton January 9, 2016 - 12:11 am Such vibrant colours. And great instructions Reply Heidi Rolland January 8, 2016 - 9:23 pm I’m new to quilting and just wanted to say, thank you for making everything so clear and concise to understand. I’m in love with these amazing colors! Thanks again! Reply Christine Baker January 9, 2016 - 12:46 am Thanks! Reply Susan Barnett January 8, 2016 - 6:36 pm I am just starting a strip quarter-triangle quilt so I like the tip on sewing strips. Reply Shari Lund January 8, 2016 - 11:57 am Love this idea and will use I am sure in a quilt I make in the future! Bright colours and fun colours make any quilt pop! Flying geese are one of my favourites to make. Reply Elaine Theriault January 5, 2016 - 2:59 pm Love the post – super job explaining how to sew those flying geese!!!!! Reply Christine Baker January 7, 2016 - 8:50 pm Thanks Elaine! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.