Flying Geese. I’ve had a very long, passionate, and distant love affair with this block. It makes me swoon each and every time I see it. Distant because I’d never made any.
I put an end to that this week. The Angler 2 was tired of sitting in its plastic bag. A demonstration by a woman in my quilt guild of this construction technique has been gnawing at me ever since I saw it. Jan posted the link to the exact same instructions when she talked about her Flying Geese, one of those rather loud, confirming signals broadcast by the universe. The final knock over my head was the flock of geese that flew over on my way to the mailbox last week. I had put off figuring out my Winter quilt design for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap. All the while it was sitting right in front of me (or over me depending on how you look at it). More on that later. I need to wrap up my quilting and get that baby in the mail… yes, it’s due today.
Let’s talk about the Angler 2.
It’s a heavy plastic template that tapes to the bed of the sewing machine. The lines are imprinted at a 45 degree angle. Exactly what’s needed to make half square triangles or the Flying Geese block without marking.
For those new to the concept, the low tech approach to making half square triangles is to use a pencil to draw a 45 degree line through the corners on the wrong side of a fabric square. You then sew 1/4″ on either side of that drawn line. After sewing both sides, cut along the line and the result is two half square triangle units.
The Angler 2 eliminates the need to draw the pencil line. The template provides a guide by which the fabric is aligned in the front and the back so it feeds under the needle at the required 45 degrees.
I rate the template 5 stars, handily worth the $8.00 price tag. By aligning the block in the correct ‘going in’ position and making sure the exit corner follows the line it’s very easy to feed the blocks through in a consistent manner. It’s not a miracle gadget, it does take a little practice. Once I got the hang of it my speed increased and it was enjoyable. The blocks I created were extremely accurate. I added on the extra bit of masking tape just below the template. I originally practiced with some larger blocks and that provided needed visibility.
As a side note. The template plastic as shipped is one complete square. The instructions step you through cutting out the U-shaped piece where the presser foot sits. Be careful as you cut this out. The cut out is saved and used to align the template to the machine bed.
As I was sewing I got a little too relaxed and ran the middle finger of my left hand under the needle. It’s the first time I’ve done that after sewing on a machine for 40 years. I’m mentioning it because I want you to be careful and also especially diligent when allowing children to sew on your machine. My eyes were focused on my tails staying aligned with the outer line and not on the needle area. The needle broke off in my finger. After a lively discussion with Greg about the best tool for the job (I convinced him to use the pliers), he pulled the broken 1/2″ of steel out in one try, thanks honey. Ouch. Next time I’ll drink the shot of bourbon before the surgery. I don’t plan to repeat that mistake and hopefully it never happens to you!
Oh, Kathy, that sounds like a big OUCH to me, it’s giving me chills just thinking about it. I haven’t ever done that either in nearly 30 years of sewing (I’ll go knock on some wood now!), and I do hope I never have to deal with it. If I ever do, I’ll remember to imbibe heavily before removal! Here’s hoping your finger gets better asap!
On a higher note, I like the Angler too, but I’d never seen flying geese made that way. Very cool, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the info on the template – I have one but haven’t yet used it. Something has been nagging me to get back into quilting, and, like you, I’m going to listen to good info that slaps me upside the head.
Thanks also for the warning about being careful. I hope you are feeling ok!!! Is your tetanus vaccination up to date?? OUCH! Heal soon!
Oh no oh no oh no! Geez, Kathy, YEOWCH! My nightmare come true! And to happen to such a professional. What the heck? Look at you, such a motivating factor to get me better acquainted with my machine, and now you tell me this?! I can’t believe you’re able to type, I hope that means you’re quite healed and feeling 100%. Thanks for the important warning, we can all get too complacent with things we’re familiar with.
I bought this handy little gadget a few years ago but so far haven’t used it. Maybe now I will.
Ouch, sorry about the finger. Hope it feels better soon.
Now about the flying geese. Sometimes I swear that you can hear my thoughts. I was just in the sewing room an hour ago working on some. I couldn’t find anything on the web with a quick blurb about the measurements for them. Then I realized that it’s the rectangle plus 1/2″ top and bottom and then two squares the size of the rectangle’s height. So I figured that I’d do a quick tutorial on flying geese using the diagonal pencil mark, and here I see you’ve posted a nifty little tool to make them.
Ouch, Kathy I feel your pain as I did the same thing a little over a year ago. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the needle out myself (tried pliers but just broke off the needle) so it was off the local clinic. After x-rays, local anesthesia and much swearing (me and the Dr.) the needle was pulled out. No lasting damage but I wish I would have thought to get a copy of the x-ray to post in my sewing room. It looked freaky.
Oh goodness, you’re very brave to have done that without the bourbon. I hope it feels better soon.
Oh I’m cringing just thinking about it – ouch! Thanks for sharing that with us…I haven’t let my daughter sew on my machine for that very reason!
The angler looks really cool! And seems like it would save a lot of time once you got the hang of it.
Double ouch. And hopefully you at least had a shot of bourbon afterwards.
ooh! That sounds so bad. I’m sorry. I’ve had the thought of that happening run through my head on a couple of occasions. Thanks for the warning. That angler thing looks real neat. Thanks for the demo, I would never have known what it was for.
Oh no, ouch! My mom has done that a time or two. I have a fear of triangles so I might look into that template.
How have I missed that template? I tend not to pay much attention to all the gadgets, but I’ll have to be on the lookout for this.
I sewed through my finger when I was 13, making Barbie clothes for younger cousins. I can still feel it, more in my chest than my finger…that moment before hyperventilation when you realize what you’re looking at, the needle in the down position in the middle of your fingernail. Whoo. And no bourbon allowed then.
Ew. Ow! I have been doing a lot of sewing lately (for me) and I noticed a few times that I haven’t been as careful as I should be about keeping my fingers away from the needle. Thanks for the reminder.
That tool looks very handy. I love doing half-square triangles (stitch two squares then cut on the diagonal). It would be great to eliminate the time spent marking. Did you buy it locally or mail order it?
Youch! In 20+ years of sewing I’ve never done that and hope I never do. Timely advice about the children, as just the other night I decided to indulge my almost 4-year old daughter’s fascination with my sewing and sewing machine. For over a year now, she has stolen my scraps, cut them up and “made” things. But the other night I let her sew on my machine… I let her press the peddle to make it go while I guided the fabric through. Definitely not ready to let her little fingers get near the needle yet, esp. after reading of your experience!
I live in fear of doing that to myself… but now I just live in slight trepidation of ever doing fancy, precise 45-degree angles…
Oh my word–I cannot BELIEVE how calm your retelling of your finger-piercing is, tucked away at the end of a lovely product review like that. YOW! You better believe I’d be working an entire post’s worth of drama about that.
Sending healing vibes…
That looks like a really handy tool. Thanks for sharing. I love a good tip like that. Good luck with the quilt and I look forward to seeing it progress.
I too have sewn my finger. Not gotten the needle stuck, but just sewn through. Hurts…your brave.
Oh, I’ve never heard of this! But I had just found a pattern for giant quilt of tiny pinwheels that called for this exact thing: marking the line on all the squares and then sewing. This would save a step!
And OUCH about your finger. My mom did that once, too. Thankfully I haven’t, yet. Get better and back to sewing quick!
Wow! What a cool gadget! I might even be tempted to attempt a flying goose or two!!
Cool Angler. I love flying geese, though I usually paper piece mine. Thanks for not showing us your finger!
OOOHHHH Kathy! OW! I am sure you won’t make that mistake again and hopefully we’ll all learn from your mistake. ;{
Oh, I’m so sorry that happend Kathy!! That is my biggest fear when sewing or using a table saw!! I’ve seen it happen to my mother when she’s quilting and I know how painful it can be. Hopefully you’ll still get a shot of bourbon (maybe in some hot coffee?) this weekend. It’s going to be so cold it’ll help you stay warm!
Take care of yourself!
Oooh… I know that hurt. Hope your finger is on the mend.
Flying Geese is my favorite quilting pattern. I have that template and still haven’t attempted it. Maybe you’ve inspired me to pull out my gear and give it a shot….
OUCH! That’s my worst nightmare and I’ve only been sewing for a year or so. It makes my stomach turn just thinking about it! I haven’t attempted flying geese yet but I’ve wanted to for awhile. Maybe after my current WIP I’ll give it a try.
Sorry to hear about your sewing accident – I’ve almost done that to myself a few times!! I made your rubble scarf and just love it!
Cheers,
Helen in Malden, Massachusetts
OUCH! I haven’t done that (yet) but I have poked myself more times than I care to think about with hand sewing needles. Thanks for the product review — I’ve been thinking about this one!
“After a lively discussion…”
That’s a lovely euphemism for what I’m sure was a calm and quiet conversation. Appreciation for your writing aside, I’m truly sorry for you. I’m sure it was painful at the time and it must really, really hurt today. Good thing you had your DH around at the time.
When your finger’s better bring us more of your geese – I’m intrigued. Thanks for the tool info. I bought those quilting gloves after your post on them a while back and love them.
been there, done that. Feels really painful and really stupid in the aftermath, doesn’t it? I tend to stick with soft things like fabric and yarn because I’m prone to getting so distracted by the creative process that I forget about everything else. Cut myself on stained glass and burned myself when jewelry making because I was looking ahead to the next step or just getting so caught up in how COOL it all was. Feeling your pain! Thanks for sharing yourself in your delightful blog; I read often and should comment more to let you know how much I enjoy getting a peek at what you’re up to. Blessings!
Oh. My. God. I am holding my hand, rocking back and forth while reading your story. Broke off IN your finger… (swoon) I hope your finger feels better soon. I will be extra careful on the machine now!
Thanks for the tip on the angler. I need all the pointers I can get! Ha!
Yoiks! But do know that it happens to lots of us (although I’ve never had one break off…)
Cool template – thanks!
I did the same thing to my thumb — the needle broke when it hit the bone. I wasn’t as brave as you — I wouldn’t let the hubby touch it! We went straight to our little county hospital!
OUCH!!!! Goodness!!!Be careful!
My daughter begged me to let her use my sewing machine so she could make me a banner exclaiming “I love you, mom” that ended with a painful trip to the emergency room and worse…
After watching me sew many projects and listening to my cautions of how dangerous that needle can be, I thought she would be okay. About ten minutes later I hear a scream and see her run towards me with her index finger held out bleeding on the floor. I cleaned up her finger and noticed thread was stuck inside the puncture wound under the nail, so I pulled it out with tweezers. That was when I noticed the needle had broken off just under the surface of the nail, right in the middle above the cuticle. I took her to the ER and saw that the needle was longer than the width of the bone in the X-rays. The doctor said he wanted to wait and see what the body will do with it before committing to surgery. This happened on a Saturday and I’m just waiting for our regular doctor’s office to open so I can get a second opinion. In the meantime, we’re watching it carefully and she’s taking an antibiotic. She will most likely have to have surgery.
Please everyone, think twice before letting anyone younger than a teenager sew on a machine. I hope this serves as a lesson to all.