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, Denise Starck, QM Graphic Designer, shares some thoughts about her Arrowhead project.
Never one to be called “traditional,” I was drawn to the unexpected color palette of this Robert Kaufman fabric line; red, lime green, pink and blue. At first glance, it’s not blatantly Christmas which I really like. The tone-on-tone fabrics really balance out some of the large-scale prints and help to give your eye a place to rest.
Many of the prints are geometric,
while others are graphic renderings of trees, ornaments and poinsettias.
My favorite print has to be these reindeer!
This technique is so ingenious – I don’t know how Anita thought it up! I was inspired to see if I could make this block in different sizes. Here are my samples. They are 3″, 4.25″ and 5.5″ finished.
I’m thinking it could be fun to have a variety of sizes in the same layout. Maybe something like this using 2 sizes:
or this using 3 sizes:
or…
okay, okay, I’m getting a little carried away – but I just have so many ideas! Pick up Quiltmaker’s November/December ’10 issue and see for yourself!
A kit is available with these fabrics and the kit includes the pattern!
I like the variation of the blocks better than the original pattern! I think I want to try a few of these blocks as a table runner. Can’t wait to get some sewing time!
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The third idea gets my vote. Overall, they all look like Christmas candy.
I saw this one and I have to make it for my girls! I think they shoudl each get a special christmas quilt for their beds. I think I will be doing a print and a solid in each block instead of two prints.
As far as your question goes, I like the layout of the three sizes best
This quilt was why I bought Quiltmaker at the grocery store last week. *grin* I dig the variations…. lovely!
Try as I will, I cannon get 8″ squares to sew & trim any larger than 8.5″. The instructions say I should be able to ‘center and trim the block to 9″ x 9″. WHat am I doing wrong, or are the cutting or final trim measurements wrong? jchristo88@att.net
How do I get a Nov/Dec 10 QuiltMakers mag.
How do I get a Nov/Dec 10 quiltmakers mag. for the arrowhead pattern?