The Nov/Dec ’10 issue of Quiltmaker features a clever technique from Anita Grossman Solomon in a block called Anita’s Arrowhead. Our staff was eager to try it out. Each staff member chose Christmas fabrics from one manufacturer to make a unique version of Anita’s Arrowhead. All the quilts contain 42 blocks and measure about 51″ x 60″. Below, Carolyn Beam, QM Creative Editor, shares some thoughts about her Arrowhead project.
I was drawn to the interesting motifs as well as the colors in the Fruitcake collection by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics. My Christmas palette is normally the traditional red and green, but the addition of teal and brown added a lot of variety and interest. So I was up for the challenge of working with fabrics a little out of my comfort zone.
The collection has different motifs ranging from the more classic, including snowflakes and holly, to a little more whimsical with snowmen and ornaments.
Classic motifs
Whimsical motifs
I also chose a couple of the stripes and tone-on-tones.
Stripes and tone-on-tones
When organizing the fabrics for each block, my goal was to never pair the same fabrics twice. I was pleased with how the variety of motifs worked well together in different combinations. When I was arranging the blocks into rows, I tried to distribute the stronger tone-on-tone red and the dark brown evenly to keep your eye moving all over the quilt.
This block was so much fun to make—I’m anxious to work with it again!
You can find the complete instructions for Anita’s Arrowhead in Quiltmaker‘s November/December ’10 issue. Kits are available for a limited time.
I love this block! I picked up my Quiltmaker from the mailbox on the way to spend the weekend with my mother who has just been released from the hospital after surgery. I made 8 blocks from Christmas fabrics in Mom’s stash then the following week I made 17 more. I have the top layered and ready to quilt after Thanksgiving. Can’t wait.