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Birds in the Air Quilt Block Pattern
(Traditional Piecing)
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Skill Level: Confident Beginner
A Birds in the Air quilt block pattern can be easily pieced using rotary cut patches.
On this page are instructions to do so for four different block sizes.
You'll also find a list of blocks with the same name but look different.
On this page you'll find:
- A cutting chart for four different block sizes that you can print
- Beginner-friendly, step-by-step illustrated instructions to make the block pattern
- Other blocks that go by the same name, but look totally different
Let's get started!
Prefer to paper piece this block?
Click here to go to paper piecing instructions for the Birds in the Air quilt block pattern.
General Instructions
These abbreviations are used in this tutorial:
- RST - right sides together
- HST - half square triangle
- SA - seam allowance
All SA are 1/4".
When you are instructed to press, first press the pieced unit flat to set the seam. Then open the patch, pressing from the front to prevent any tucks from occurring in the seam.
Pressing instructions are highlighted in yellow.
Especially when I'm working with bias edges, as in this quilt block pattern, I like to starch my fabrics...heavily.
The starch provides stability and reduces the possibility of stretching those bias cut edges as I work with the block.
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Step 1: Cut patches for a Birds in the Air block
Birds in the Air designSample Block Size: 4" finished / 4½" unfinished
Grid size: 1-1/4"
Technique: Paperpiecing
Design Type: Basic quilt block, 4-patch
The chart below provides cutting dimensions in four sizes. For this sample block we're cutting the patches to make a 4" finished block.
All the dimensions below are for squares, i.e. for a 2" finished block, Patch 1 cut one 1-7/8" x 1-7/8" square. Then sub cut it once on the diagonal.
To print a copy of the design and this cutting chart, click here.
 |
Cutting Chart for a~ Traditional Piecing ~ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patch | Fabric | Qty | Finished Block Size | Sub Cut | |||
| 2” | 2-1/2” | 3” | 4” | ||||
| A | 1 | 1 | 1-7/8” | 2-1/8” | 2-3/8” | 2-7/8” |  |
| B | 2, 3, 4 | 2 | 1-7/8” | 2-1/8” | 2-3/8” | 2-7/8” | |
| A | 5 | 1 | 2-7/8” | 3-3/8” | 3-7/8” | 4-7/8” | |
| Grid Size | 1” | 1-1/4” | 1-1/2” | 2” | na | ||
These are the cut patches. One pink and both a large and small green triangle will be left over at the end.
Step 2: Assemble the Birds in the Air
With RST, sew a #1(green) and #2(pink) triangle together along the long bias edge to create a half square triangle unit. (Upper left in the photo below.)
Press, with the SA to the darker fabric(green). The HST measures 2-1/2" edge to edge. Trim it to size if needed.
Use the chart below to find your block's Finished Size and it's corresponding HST measurement.
HST Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Finished Block Size | Trim HST to… |
| 2" | 1 1/2" |
| 2 1/2" | 1 3/4" |
| 3" | 2" |
| 4" | 2 1/2" |
Lay out your patches to see how the triangles fit together.
With RST, match the short side of a #3(pink) triangle to the #1 patch(green). Stitch as shown below.
Press with the seam allowance away from the HST unit and towards the #3 triangle.
The triangle you just added overhangs the HST unit by a smidge(at the red arrow). This is correct. That excess disappears after the next line of stitching.
Repeat to add the #4 triangle. Press, with the SA toward the #4 triangle.
Trim the dog ears clean away (red arrow) with your scissor.
With RST, align the long edge of #5(green) with the long edge of the pieced unit and stitch.
Press, with the SA towards the dark fabric.
Trim away any remaining dog ears or thread tails.
Measure to make sure that your block measures 4-1/2" from edge to edge.
This is your finished Birds in the Air quilt block pattern (l) with leftover patches (r).
A finished Birds in the Air and the leftoversTo learn how to paper piece a Birds in the Air quilt block pattern, click here.
Make a Birds in the Air block variation
Birds in the Air variationThis simple variation is used in a handful of quilt block patterns and takes just a connector corner unit to complete.
You'll have the same leftovers as before, one each of #1, #2 and #5.
This is the cutting chart for this variation—all that's different is the addition of Patch #6.
If you prefer to paperpiece this unit, click here for that pattern and its instructions.
To print a copy of this cutting chart and design, click here.
| Cutting Chart for a~Traditional Piecing ~ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patch | Fabric | Qty | Finished Block Size | Sub Cut | |||
| 2" | 2 1/2" | 3" | 4" | ||||
| 1 | A | 1 | 1⅞" x 1⅞" | 2⅛" x 2⅛" | 2⅜" x 2⅜" | 2⅞" x 2⅞" | |
| 2, 3, 4 | Bac | 2 | 1⅞" x 1⅞" | 2⅛" x 2⅛" | 2⅜" x 2⅜" | 2⅞" x 2⅞" | |
| 5 | A | 1 | 2⅞" x 2⅞" | 3⅜" x 3⅜" | 3⅞" x 3⅞" | 4⅞" x 4⅞" | |
| 6 | Bac | 1 | 1½" x 1½" | 1¾" x 1¾" | 2" x 2" | 2½" x 2½" | --- |
| Unfinished Block Size | 2½" | 3" | 3½" | 4½" | --- | ||
| Grid Size | 1" | 1¼" | 1½" | 2" | --- | ||
Instructions to assemble the variation
Make this Birds in the Air using the same steps for Patches #1-#5 as shown above.
On the backside of #6 draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.
With RST, layer the marked #6, RST with the unit #1-#5.
Stitch on the line.
Pin to hold things in place if neededGive it a quick press to set the seam.
Trim the excess fabric away leaving behind a 1/4" seam allowance.
Press your Birds in the Air variation on last time with the last SA toward the darker fabric.
This Birds in the Air variation is complete!This variation is used in both the Christmas Star and Medieval Walls quilt block patterns.
Same name, different block...
It happens.
Blocks designed in different places may use the same geometric shapes and have different names. Or different shapes but the same name. These are all known as a Birds in the Air quilt block.
The patches are the same, but a third fabric is added.
Same basic idea now drawn on a 3x3 grid. 3 complete HSTs instead of one.
This block is also called 'Flock of Geese'. And you guessed it!
We've got a tutorial for it here. :)
Simply a group of 4 of the previous design.
Its other names include: Flying Birds, Flock of Geese and Flight of Swallows.
This variation looks more like a portion of the Bear Paw quilt block.
This Birds in the Air is a completely different looking block and significantly more complex to piece.
It's also called 'Ocean Waves'.
There's flocks of blocks...
...just waiting for you in our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library.
For design inspiration, check out Quilting Design 101 for layout ideas for your patchwork designs.
If you need a different size block...
For a list of all the quilt block patterns on this site, start here.
If you know the name of the block, you can shorten your search by using these alphabetical links:
Click here if you're looking for blocks with at least some paper piecing.
Click here if you're looking for the basic building blocks of quilting, i.e. Flying Geese, half square triangles, quarter square triangles, etc., along with several techniques to make each.
And finally, use these links to find blocks in these finished sizes:
For even more blocks to make...
For you, are quilt block designs like potato chips...
...you can't have just one?!!
Check the amazing resources I rely on for all the quilt block designs you see on this website.
To see if they're worthy of a spot in YOUR quilting library, CLICK HERE.
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