The Autumn in Flight Quilt combines warm seasonal fabrics with rows of Flying Geese that seem to move across an open background.
Designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts, the project finishes at approximately 43" × 53". Donna Jordan of Jordan Fabrics also demonstrates the quilt in a detailed free video tutorial.
The design is especially appealing if you enjoy Flying Geese quilts, autumn color palettes, or projects where repeated geometric units create movement without making the entire quilt look busy.
This guide adds fabric-planning ideas, piecing tips, troubleshooting, and finishing guidance while directing you to the original Jordan Fabrics tutorial and the official Pine Tree Country Quilts pattern.
Autumn in Flight Quilt at a Glance
| Project | Autumn in Flight Quilt |
| Designer | Pine Tree Country Quilts |
| Video Instructor | Donna Jordan / Jordan Fabrics |
| Finished Size | Approximately 43" × 53" |
| Main Motif | Flying Geese |
| Main Skills | Strip piecing, Flying Geese, accurate cutting, pressing, quilt-top assembly |
| Pattern | Paid official Pine Tree Country Quilts pattern |
| Tutorial | Free Jordan Fabrics video |
| Source Checked | September 2026 |
Why the Autumn in Flight Design Works So Well
Flying Geese naturally create directional movement because each unit points toward one side.
Autumn in Flight uses that directional quality across a spacious background, making the colorful geese appear to travel through the quilt rather than forming one dense traditional block.
The result is a modern-looking composition built from a familiar traditional quilting unit.
About the Official Pattern
The official Autumn in Flight pattern is published by Pine Tree Country Quilts.
Jordan Fabrics currently offers the pattern as a digital download. It includes the fabric requirements and complete directions for the 43" × 53" quilt.
The written pattern is not a free PDF. Use the free Jordan Fabrics video for the visual tutorial, and purchase the official Pine Tree Country Quilts pattern if you want the complete cutting chart and written construction directions.
Why Flying Geese Are Perfect for an Autumn Quilt
Flying Geese can suggest migrating birds, falling leaves, arrows, or simply directional motion.
That makes them particularly effective in a fall-themed quilt where gold, rust, brown, red, green, and cream fabrics can move visually across a neutral background.
Choosing Fabrics for Autumn in Flight
You can follow the colors shown in the original quilt or create your own seasonal interpretation.
Classic Autumn Palette
Combine rust, gold, pumpkin, olive, brown, burgundy, and cream.
Woodland Palette
Try moss green, bark brown, muted orange, charcoal, and warm beige.
Modern Fall Palette
Use mustard, terracotta, deep teal, cream, and charcoal.
Scrappy Autumn Version
Sort leftover fabrics into warm color families and use several prints within each family.
A consistent background can help unify a more varied group of Flying Geese fabrics.
Use Contrast to Keep the Geese Visible
The Flying Geese units need enough contrast from the surrounding background to remain easy to see.
If both fabrics are similar in value, the directional shape may disappear when viewed from a distance.
One useful trick is to photograph your fabric selection in black and white. If the geese still separate clearly from the background, the contrast is probably strong enough.
Tips for Accurate Flying Geese
Flying Geese are simple units, but small inaccuracies can become obvious when many of them are arranged together.
- Cut all pieces carefully before beginning.
- Use a consistent ¼-inch seam allowance.
- Press rather than stretching diagonal seams.
- Check each unit before trimming.
- Preserve the triangle point when joining units.
- Make one test unit before chain piecing a large group.
Watch the Flying Geese Points
One of the most common problems in Flying Geese quilts is losing the point when another seam is sewn across the top of the unit.
Before sewing the next section, identify where the diagonal seams meet. Your new seam should leave enough fabric above that intersection to preserve the point.
Press Without Distorting the Units
Several edges in Flying Geese construction can behave like bias edges.
Instead of sliding the iron aggressively across the fabric, place it down, press, and lift.
This helps keep rectangular units square and prevents the diagonal seams from becoming stretched.
Make a Test Section Before Chain Piecing
Repetitive quilting techniques are ideal for chain piecing, but only after you know that the first unit is correct.
Complete one Flying Geese section and compare its size and orientation with Donna Jordan's demonstration before sewing the remaining pieces.
Keep Directional Units Organized
Because Autumn in Flight depends on movement, orientation matters.
Place completed units in the same direction on your work surface, or use separate stacks for units that point in different directions.
This reduces the chance of rotating one section accidentally during assembly.
Lay Out the Quilt Before Joining Sections
Once the pieced units are complete, arrange the quilt top on a design wall, bed, or large clean floor.
Step back and look at the entire composition rather than checking only one unit at a time.
Look for:
- a Flying Geese unit facing the wrong direction,
- too many similar colors grouped together,
- uneven background spacing,
- or a print that visually dominates one area.
Once the full arrangement looks correct, photograph it before moving the pieces to the sewing machine. The photo gives you a quick reference if one section becomes rotated during assembly.
Why Large Background Areas Need Careful Sewing
Large background pieces may look easier than small patchwork units, but they can introduce their own challenges.
Long seams can shift or bow if the fabric is stretched while sewing. Support the weight of the quilt top and allow the feed dogs to move the fabric naturally.
Finishing the Quilt
Once the top is completely assembled, press it carefully and check that the outside edges lie flat.
Layer the quilt top with batting and backing, baste, quilt as desired, trim the edges, and add binding.
Quilting Ideas for Autumn in Flight
Soft Meandering
An all-over meander keeps the quilting subtle and allows the Flying Geese design to remain the main focus.
Wind or Swirl Motifs
Flowing curved quilting can reinforce the impression of birds moving across the background.
Leaf Motifs
Quilted leaves can emphasize the seasonal character without changing the pieced design.
Straight-Line Quilting
Simple straight or gently diagonal lines can provide a cleaner modern finish.
Common Autumn in Flight Mistakes to Avoid
Using Too Little Contrast
Make sure the Flying Geese remain visible against the background.
Stretching Diagonal Seams
Use gentle pressing and careful handling.
Losing Flying Geese Points
Check the seam intersection before attaching neighboring sections.
Rotating a Directional Unit
Keep a layout reference nearby while sewing.
Skipping the Test Unit
Confirm one complete unit before repeating the same construction many times.
Another Flying Geese Quilt to Explore
If you enjoy quilts that use Flying Geese to create movement, see our Tilted Nine Patch Quilt Tutorial .
That design combines Flying Geese with traditional Nine Patch centers, while Autumn in Flight uses the directional units more openly across the quilt.
Autumn in Flight Quilt FAQ
Who designed Autumn in Flight?
The pattern is a Pine Tree Country Quilts design.
Who teaches the video tutorial?
Donna Jordan of Jordan Fabrics demonstrates the project in the free video tutorial.
What size is the finished quilt?
The official pattern makes an approximately 43" × 53" quilt.
Is Autumn in Flight a free pattern?
No. The official written Pine Tree Country Quilts pattern is sold by Jordan Fabrics.
The video tutorial itself is free to watch.
Does the quilt use Flying Geese?
Yes. Flying Geese are the main directional design element in the quilt.
Can I make it in colors other than autumn shades?
Yes. The geometric structure can work with any coordinated palette. You could use blues for a winter version, bright scraps for a rainbow version, or low-volume fabrics for a softer quilt.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Quilters comfortable with straight seams, accurate cutting, and basic Flying Geese construction should find the techniques approachable.
Watch the Free Autumn in Flight Video Tutorial
Donna Jordan demonstrates the project in the original Jordan Fabrics video, including the piecing and assembly techniques used for the quilt.
Watch the Free Autumn in Flight Tutorial on YouTube →
Get the Official Autumn in Flight Pattern
The official Pine Tree Country Quilts pattern includes the fabric requirements and complete written directions for making the 43" × 53" quilt.
View the Official Autumn in Flight Pattern at Jordan Fabrics →
Pattern & Tutorial Source
Autumn in Flight is designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts.
Jordan Fabrics sells the official written pattern and provides Donna Jordan's free video tutorial for the project.
The Quilting Time does not reproduce the paid cutting chart or written pattern. This article adds fabric-planning ideas, Flying Geese tips, layout guidance, troubleshooting, finishing suggestions, and related quilting resources while directing readers to the original sources.
Source availability checked: September 2026.
Happy quilting!
