Let’s Make a Flying Birds Block – Mini Block Monday #18

by LeahDay · Published May 4, 2020 · Updated May 4, 2020

There are lots and lots and LOTS of traditional quilt blocks with the name “birds” in the title. This Flying Birds block is one of my favorites! When writing Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt, I imagined this block would turn into one giant bird and six smaller birds. Definitely gave Mally a lot of bang for her buck!

Do you know what helps me the most? Sharing the video! Please share this video with your quilting friends, or even consider including the photos in your guild newsletter. I would LOVE that!

Looking for a pattern for the Flying Birds quilt block? It’s all in the video! I’m trying something new with these Mini Block Monday videos and including all the information in the video itself. Just hit “pause” when you need to and write down the pieces to cut.

Is that just not your thing? Here’s a snapshot of the patchwork pieces to get you started:

Mini Flying Birds Quilt Block Piecing Instructions

This block is pieced with six Half Square Triangles. I could have continued to make these with the normal two-at-a-time method I’ve used for years, but I decided to shake things up and try a new method to make 8 at a time from a larger square. Watch the video to see how this method works, and how to trim your HSTs to measure 1 1/2 inches square.

And here’s what it looks like when you finish piecing your Flying Birds Quilt Block:

I’ve just switched home sewing machines and I have to say, I love piecing and machine quilting on the Janome 1600! This straight stitch machine has narrow feed dogs and adjustable presser foot pressure that make piecing bulky seams and tricky points so much easier. Click Here to learn about the Janome 1600.

Click Here to find a tutorial with my 5 key tips to piecing precisely.

Now if you really want to geek out on quilt piecing, check out my book How to Piece Perfect Quilts to learn the WHAT, WHY and HOW behind everything I do.

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day