Make Tracks with the Goose Tracks Quilt Block

Take a gander at these gorgeous Goose Tracks!" 👀✨

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Skill Level: Confident beginner

The Goose Tracks quilt block looks more complicated than it actually is—and paper piecing the units makes it even easier!

The block is based on a 5x5 grid, though it can also be classified as an uneven nine-patch because the corner units are twice as wide as the center ones.

Goose Tracks quilt block instructions

Foundation piecing patterns in five different sizes are provided for you to download just a bit further down on the page.

Time to stop yakking and start quilting!

🧭Ready to make tracks through this tutorial?

Use these handy links to navigate faster than a goose in V-formation.  Let's waddle on!

Cut. Sew. Press.   

All seam allowances (SA) are 1/4" unless otherwise indicated.

When you are instructed to 'Press' your Goose Tracks quilt block, first press the unit in the closed position. Then press the patch open. Finger-pressing the seam open before using the iron seems to reduce the formation of tucks in the seam allowance.

I use a dry iron for this type of piecing. In my experience, steam tends to 'curl' the paper pattern...yuck!

To create wonderfully flat quilt blocks—no matter how you piece them—check out our Best Technique for Pressing Quilt Blocks. The results are remarkable for such a simple trick—and you don't need to buy a clapper to do it.

đź“ĄDownload paper piecing patterns

Something to print

You'll need the most current version of Adobe installed on your computer to download the pattern.

On the Adobe Print Menu page, under 'Page Size and Handling' set 'Custom Scale' to 100% before printing for accurate results. Click here to see what it looks like on the Print Menu page.

After printing, use the 1" square graphic on the printed pages to confirm they are printed accurately.

Download and Print Paper Piecing Pattern

Finished
Block Size
# of copies
to print
PDF Link to Download
5" 1 2"
7½" 1 3"
10" 2 4"
12½" 4 5"
15" 4 6"
Read my review of 6 paper piecing papers available on the market

Not sure which paper to use?

Take a look at my review of several of the most popular brands available to us quilters on the market.

You want a super-easy paper to tear away—less stress on the stitches. 


The newest quilt fabrics to tickle your fancy...

Click the images below to see the full collection. We share any commercial and/or free patterns that showcase them, too. (For inspiration, of course!)

✂️Cut patches for the Goose Tracks

Goose Tracks quilt block design

Sample Size: 5" finished / 5½" unfinished

Grid: 5x5

Attribution: Rural New Yorker

AKA: Signal (Woman's World)

Design Type: Uneven 9-patch, small center

We cut oversized patches instead of using 'hunks' to reduce the amount of ripping when the patch doesn't quite fill the space.

The little bit of extra fabric is a cheap price to pay to save more time for other things.

Make a block, then if you'd prefer different sizes for the paper piecing patches, note your changes right on your printed cutting chart.

Something free to download and print is to the right

To print a copy of the block design and cutting chart to use at your cutting table, click here.

Generations Quilt Patterns logo

Cutting Chart for a
Goose Tracks Quilt Block

~ Includes Paper Piecing ~

PatchFabricQtyFinished Block SizeSub
Cut
5'' 7½'' 10'' 12½'' 15''
GT1 Light 4 1¾'' x 1¾'' 2¼'' x 2¼'' 2¾'' x 2¾'' 3¼'' x 3¼'' 3¾'' x 3¾'' ---
GT2, GT3 Dark 2 2⅝'' x 2⅝'' 3⅛'' x 3⅛'' 3⅝'' x 3⅝'' 4⅛'' x 4⅛'' 4⅝'' x 4⅝'' Symbol for a quarter square triangle
GT4, GT5 Light 2 2⅝'' x 2⅝'' 3⅛'' x 3⅛'' 3⅝'' x 3⅝'' 4⅛'' x 4⅛'' 4⅝'' x 4⅝'' Symbol for a quarter square triangle
GT6 Dark 2 3⅜'' x 3⅜'' 4⅜'' x 4⅜'' 5⅜'' x 5⅜'' 6⅜'' x 6⅜'' 7⅜'' x 7⅜'' Symbol for a half square triangle
7 Bac 0 1½'' x 2½'' 2'' x 3½'' 2½'' x 4½'' 3'' x 5½'' 3½'' x 6½'' ---
8 Dark 0 1½'' x 1½'' 2'' x 2'' 2½'' x 2½'' 3'' x 3'' 3½'' x 3½'' ---
Unfinished Block Size 5½'' 8'' 10½'' 13'' 15½''
Grid Size 1'' 1½'' 2'' 2½'' 3''
The cut patches for a Goose Tracks quilt block

90% Faster Than Rotary Cutters

🪡Paperpiecing the Goose Tracks unit

Goose Tracks paper piecing unit, from the pattern side (left) and the fabric side (right)Our Goose Tracks unit from the pattern side (left) to the fabric side (right).

Helpful Tip

Notice the GT2, GT4 patches switch places when this unit is flipped from the pattern side to the fabric side.

While it doesn't make any difference for our Goose Tracks tutorial, but might make a difference in another pattern you use or design.

Set your stitch length to 15-20 stitches per inch, install an open toe applique foot to make it easier to see the line and switch to a larger needle (90/14) to help perforate the paper to make removal easier later on.

Don't worry. The pattern will look like the reverse of the unit pictured right because the stitching is done from the back of the block. It's a little disconcerting at first, but you do get used to it. Promise!

With the back side of the fabric next to the unprinted side of the pattern, match the edges of a light 1-3/4" square with the dashed lines as shown below.

Special Note: I've updated the paper piecing patterns since writing this tutorial. I've added 'GT' before every patch number. You won't see it on the pics of the sample block. The numbers are all in the same position.

Align the edge of #1 with the dashed placement lines

The outside edge of this patch does extend past the dashed outline of the edge of the block. It will be trimmed off when this unit is complete.

With RST, match the LONG edge of a #2 small dark triangle with Piece #1. Stitch starting before and ending after the solid line. These stitches will be secured by the next line of stitching that cross it. There is no need for back stitching or a fix stitch.

Add Piece #2

Press.

Repeat for #3, another small dark triangle.

Press.

Add the small light triangles, #4 and #5, but this time match the SHORT edge of the triangle to the previous patch.

Press.

Add Piece #4

Press.

To establish the next seam-line and neaten up the block, place the unit paper side up on your cutting mat. Match the edge of your ruler with the solid line between #6 and the rest of the block.

Align the edge of the ruler with the line between #6 and the rest of the block

Use your fingernail to crease the paper. Remove the ruler and fold back the paper back on itself on this line.

Replace the ruler, this time with the 1/4" marking directly over the fold and trim. Fabric extends beyond the fold-line by 1/4"—this is your perfect seam allowance.

Trim seam allowance

With RST, align the cut edge with the diagonal edge of a #6 large dark triangle.

Add Piece #6

Stitch on the line making sure to start and stop stitching outside the dashed line that surrounds the block.

Press.

Repeat for the three remaining units.

Once these units are paperpieced, the Goose Tracks quilt block is put together like a traditional nine patch.

Trim the units

Align the 1/4" line of your ruler with the solid line that surrounds the block and trim with your rotary cutter. I find it much easier to do this than to try to line up the edge of the ruler with the dashed lines.

Trim the unit to 2-1/2 inchesThe 1/4" line of the ruler is directly over the solid outline of the block

Repeat for the remaining sides and units.

🧩Assemble the Goose Tracks quilt block

Lay out both the cut square and rectangles and pieced units in rows to create the Goose Tracks design. 

Lay out the units into rows

At this point you'll need to switch to your favorite quarter inch foot. Stitch the patches into rows, pressing towards the rectangles in each row.

Press the seam allowances towards the rectangles

Stitch the rows together, pinning if needed.

This is your finished Goose Tracks quilt block, all ready to be pieced into a quilt.

The finished Goose Tracks quilt block

Change things up...

Cross and Crown quilt block design

Cross and Crown

Based on the same drawing as the Goose Tracks quilt block, but here the lights and darks are swapped.

It is also called 'Bouquet's Quilt' and 'Tulip Wreath'.

đź“ŚDon't wing it later

 Pin this Goose Tracks tutorial and stay on track! 🎯🦆

Pin this Goose Tracks quilt block tutorial

For even MORE blocks to make... 🧩🎨

There's more quilt blocks to make

...visit our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library, with over 230+ blocks to choose from in multiple sizes.

Free downloads are included in all sizes for any blocks require paper piecing patterns or templates.


This article was printed from Generations-Quilt-Patterns.com

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