Spinning Swallows Table Topper quilt in rainbow colors draped over a chair, featuring the Flying Swallows block made with the GO!® Flying Swallows Die.

Quilters love a challenge, and they love a block that turns heads. The new GO!® Flying Swallows-12" Finished Die brings both in one package. Part of AccuQuilt’s Die to Try™ Die-of-the-Month program, this Block on Board® (BOB®) die gives quilters the easiest way to make Flying Swallows blocks, without the stress of cutting by hand.

Flying Swallows has been admired for generations for its starry points, angled diamonds and sense of motion. Traditionally, it was considered a block for experienced quilters because of the complex cutting and piecing involved. AccuQuilt’s new die changes that. With one pass through a GO! fabric cutter, you can cut all the shapes you need for a two-color, 12" block with perfect accuracy. That means less time measuring and trimming and more time piecing and quilting.

The Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die is available exclusively through accuquilt.com and AccuQuilt retailers. Like all Die to Try™ releases, it is a small batch product available only while supplies last. Once it is gone, it is gone, so don’t wait around!

A Block That Adds Movement and Mystery

The Flying Swallows block is striking. Its angles and diamonds create a design that appears to spin across the quilt. Some see it as starbursts in flight. Others describe it as cosmic charm. However you interpret it, the block adds energy and intrigue to every project.

This block is versatile. In bold solids, it feels dramatic and modern. In soft pastels, it takes on a delicate, airy quality. In scraps, it becomes playful and full of motion. Because of its adaptability, Flying Swallows works as a feature block, a repeating throw or a stunning bed quilt. It is equally at home in a single-block table topper or a multicolor wall hanging.

Why You’ll Want to Take Flight With the GO! Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die

AccuQuilt designed this die to simplify what has traditionally been a time-consuming block. Here are the features quilters will appreciate:

Block on Board convenience. All the shapes needed to make a complete two-color block are on one die board. Cut everything in one pass.

  • Accuracy. The die cuts 14 shapes that are difficult to cut by hand. Each piece is sized perfectly so your seams and points match.
  • Built-in dog-ears and seam allowances. Alignment is easier because each shape includes notches and a ¼" seam allowance.
  • Screen-printed letters. Each shape is marked to keep you organized as you sew.
  • Charm Square friendly. This die works beautifully with pre-cut 5" squares.
  • Free patterns. The die comes with downloadable patterns and step-by-step block assembly instructions.

These details mean less time spent fixing mistakes and more time enjoying the process.

Die to Try™ Something New With Confidence

The Die to Try™ program encourages quilters to step outside their comfort zones. Flying Swallows is the perfect example! Many quilters admire intricate blocks like this one but hesitate to make them because the cutting is intimidating. Cutting the Flying Swallows die with the AccuQuilt GO! system is safe, fast, and accurate. That makes Flying Swallows approachable for more skill levels.

This die also gives you a way to use scraps creatively! Because it is Charm Square friendly, you can cut a wide variety of fabrics and watch them come together in unexpected ways.

Included Patterns

When you purchase the GO! Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die, you get access to four free downloadable Flying Swallows quilt patterns, each with detailed step-by-step instructions and tips for sewing Flying Swallows quilt block, so you can start with confidence!

  • GO! Scrappy Swallows Throw Quilt Pattern. A lively quilt that makes the most of fabric scraps.
  • GO! Spinning Swallows Table Topper Pattern. A dramatic centerpiece built from a single block.
  • GO! Swallow Dance Table Runner Pattern. A series of blocks stitched together for rhythmic movement across your table.
  • GO! Color Wheel Throw Quilt Pattern. A celebration of bold color arranged in a circular design.

Flying Swallows Branch Out with Compatible Dies and Accessories

The GO! Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die is compatible with all GO! cutters and even the Studio 2 cutter with a GO! Adapter! The block finishes at 12", so it is compatible with other 12" dies in the GO! Qube® Mix & Match Block system, including:

  • GO! Qube Mix & Match 12" Block
  • GO! Qube 12" Companion Sets
  • GO! Qube Mix & Match 6" Block
  • GO! Qube 6" Companion Sets 
  • GO! Setting Triangles-12" Finished
  • Other Block on Board dies that finish at 12"

Fun design tip: You can also pair the GO! Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die with the GO! Hunter Star-6" Finished Die for secondary star patterns! And if you design with Electric Quilt software, you can find the GO! Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die in EQ’s block library. That allows you to experiment with color placement and layouts before cutting fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions about the GO! Flying Swallows-12" Finished Die

Q: Which cutters work with this die?
A: All GO! cutters and the Studio 2 cutter with a die adapter.

Q: How many layers can I cut at once?
A: Up to six layers of 100% quilting cotton.

Q: What fabrics are best to use for quilting?
A: Quilting cotton is recommended. Try to use fabrics from the same manufacturer to ensure consistent weight and stretch.

Q: How do I reduce fabric waste?
A: Cut on the lengthwise grain and fanfold strips over the shapes.

Q: Can I recreate the shapes in the GO! Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die with a Qube set?
A: Not exactly. Only two of the five shapes are available in Qube sets. The die includes unique shapes that make this block easier to cut and assemble.

The Thrill of Quilting with Flying Swallows

Every quilter has a project that pushes their skills and keeps them inspired. The Flying Swallows block delivers that thrill and sense of accomplishment. With the GO! Flying Swallows-12” Finished Die, the challenge of cutting is removed, but the excitement of piecing and sewing remains.

When you stitch your first block, you will see how the diamonds and triangles come together in a swirl of movement and it will make sense why this historic, complex block has been treasured for generations. With AccuQuilt doing the difficult cutting part for you, you can explore bold color, play with scraps, and create quilts that move with energy more easily than ever before. Most of all, you will experience the satisfaction of making something beautiful with your own hands.

 

Don’t miss your chance to add this die to your collection! Once it is flies away, it’s gone forever.