Skip to content

How to Make the Traditional Quilt Block called Fox and Geese

    This Fox and Geese block is a great block to practice making flying geese blocks. It is a good scrappy or planned block that looks wonderful in a quilt! Let’s get started!

    fox and geese quilt block

    Fabric Requirements for a 16″ Finished Fox and Geese Quilt Block:

    • Light/Ivory: 2 – 5″ squares, and 32- 2.5″ squares
    • Light/Print: 1 – 8.5″ square
    • Assorted Prints: 2 – 5″ squares, and 16 – 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles

    fox and geese fabric requirements

    Sewing Directions:

    Corner Unit:

    Step 1:

    Using the Light/Ivory 5″ squares and the Assorted Prints 5″ squares, sew together four half square triangles (HST). Press the seam allowance toward the Light/Ivory fabric and trim the HSTs to 4.5″ square as shown in the picture below. You can find a detailed tutorial for making HSTs at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-half-square-triangle-block

    fox and geese 1

    Flying Geese Units:

    Step 2:

    Using the 16 Assorted Prints 2.5″ x 4.5″ rectangles and the 32 Light/Ivory 2.5″ squares, sew together 16 flying geese patches like the ones shown in the picture below. You will find a tutorial showing my no-trim method for making flying geese blocks at https://quiltembroiderypdf.com/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block

    fox and geese 2

    Step 3:

    Sew four of the Step 2 units together and press the seam allowances away from the center points as shown below. Repeat for a total of four Flying Geese units.

    fox and geese 3

    Putting It All Together:

    Step 4:

    Lay out the Corner units, Flying Geese units, and the Light/Print 8.5″ square as shown in the picture. Notice that the points of the Flying Geese units chase each other around the center square.

    fox and geese 4

    I have seen other layout options for this block with the Flying Geese points going in different directions. I felt this layout looked the best when placed in a quilt.

    Step 5:

    Sew the units into 3 rows as shown below.

    fox and geese 5

    Step 6:

    Press the seam allowances away from the Flying Geese units as shown in the picture below.

    fox and geese 6

    Step 7:

    Sew the three rows together and…

    fox and geese 7

    Step 8:

    Press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown below. All done!

    fox and geese 8