Anita Grossman Solomon visited us recently and demonstrated some of the tricks in her new book, Rotary Cutting Revolution from C&T Publishing. The techniques are nothing less than astonishing!
A block called Anita’s Arrowhead was especially intriguing and so we made plans to feature a quilt called Anita’s Arrowhead in our Nov/Dec ’10 issue. (Buy this issue.)
But we didn’t stop there. Editor-in-Chief June Dudley issued a challenge to staff members, we partnered with fabric companies, and five additional Arrowhead quilts were completed. They can be seen on page 20 of Quiltmaker Nov/Dec ’10.
Over the next few weeks, each of us will post a little something about the quilt we made. To start things off, I asked Anita a few questions.
Anita Grossman Solomon
Anita, your methods are so innovative. My response to your book over and over was, “How did she think of that?!?” Is there an answer to that question?
Oh Diane, it just happens. It’s serendipity. The quilt in the book, the Liberty Arrowhead, was made of Liberty of London cotton lawn. I wanted more pink in it so I cut into my Liberty skirt.
What advice would you give to someone new to the methods in Rotary Cutting Revolution?
• For all piecers, cut fabric for the first block only. For Rotary Cutting Revolution that’s only two squares of fabric. Make the block. It’s your first “pancake,” so to speak. While that block will not usually be a keeper, you’ll become seasoned.
• Make more blocks without cutting all the fabric in advance. See how it goes, especially for scrap quilts. Who can tell how fabrics will look together until they are sewn? Work in batches, incorporating new fabric along the way.
• Move on from that pancake to “minestrone soup” by adding more ingredients, and season to taste.
What’s the next thing up your sleeve?
Getting back on the road to teach. Have rotary cutter, will travel. I’m looking forward to a solid week at Empty Spools Seminars in California next spring to focus on uniquely cut Pineapple blocks. I’m teaching during Session I, March 20 to 25.
Also there is a book I put on the back burner 10 years ago calling my name. It’s hibernating in a couple of dresser drawers.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about you, your process or your quilts?
• I’m drawn to the confines of traditional blocks and push as many different fabrics as I can into the composition. It’s the process I love. That a quilt comes out of it is secondary for me.
• If you draw upon my techniques your quilt will always look like your quilt. It won’t be recognized as an “Anita” quilt because my contribution is invisible.
• I majored in art in college; that I never excelled in math or English is an understatement.
Visit with Anita at makeitsimpler.blogspot.com.
To win a copy of Anita’s book, please leave a comment by midnight Oct. 15. You’ll LOVE her ideas!
To come: blog posts about each quilt and giveaways of leftover blocks and fabrics!
Wow! The technique is so fascinating. I can’t wait to try it out.
I would love to learn more about her techniques!
I have a notion just did a little thing about this book, I think I am going to have to buy it if I dont win it. Christmas is right around the corner right?
I would love love love a copy of such an awesome book! I think I could keep busy for a while with it…:) If I don’t get lucky here, it will surely go on my Christmas list!
I just got my magazine today and can’t wait to dig in to it tonight. This will be one of the first things I read. Would love to win the book!
Sounds fascinating. Always looking for a better way.
I saw Anita demonstrate her technique way back on Simply Quilts. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of her new book!
Oh looks like a wonderful book, thanks for the chance to win.
“Rotary Cutting Revolution” is number one on my Christmas list this year.!
Sounds great. Can’t wait to try it.
Jo Anna
I’d love to take a gander at this book–over 300 photographs? I’m ready!!
This looks like an amazing book. Would enjoy it, as know my Mom would too. Thanks for the giveaway quiltmaker and Anita.
Oooh, if I don’t win, I’m surely going to have to buy it! It looks great!
Tina Y.
tinahmg@hotmail.com
Would like to win! Please count me in. Thank you for being generous.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this new book. It sounds very interesting and I would love to learn new techniques.
Most inspiring and interesting! Hope to win a copy of the book.
Looks like a great book – count me in!
This is very wonderful, to have an opportunity to win such a great book. THanks…
This is a great book, and my friend Marcella wrote a chapter. If I win the book, I’ll have to decide which of my worthy friends will get it since I recently bought a copy.
It sounds like Anita’s book is a must have.
I don’t know why you weren’t good at math: such spatial concepts as this cutting technique and the “make it simpler” ideas are terrific breakthroughs!
That “incubating for 10 years” book sounds *very* intriguing….
Cynthia H.
El Cerrito, CA
I’d love to win this book. Thank you!
Sounds interesting – would love to win this book!
Anita is the Queen of Quiilts!!
I would love to win this book, It would help me a lot in my quilting.
This book looks like a winner. I also believe in making a few blocks before committing to a whole quilt’s worth. Usually I make enough for a baby quilt. Then I know how much I enjoy (or not) making the blocks, and I have something useful to show for it. Often I donate the baby quilts to a local crisis pregnancy center. If the pattern suits me, then I can go on and make a whole quilt. By the way, the pineapple quilt in the photo is gorgeous!
Love the cutting up of the skirt! I’ve often been tempted.
I think I’d read this book while cooking a big pot of minestrone soup to help my quilting. Hey it couldn’t hurt! Thank you for offering this book. Sounds like fun!
nsue21702 at gmail dot com
Looks like an interesting new process. I’d love to win the book! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I was so excited to try this technique when I received this month’s issue. I modified mine a bit and used a Layer Cake to make the blocks, instead of the 8 1/2″ square called for in the instructions. Works like a charm! (Oh! There’s an idea – I’ll try this with a charm pack next!)
Thanks for the info on this new book, but my favorite part was the skirt that she cut into, too funny.
I’m a visual person so I’d love to flip through the pages of this book to wrap my mind around the concept.
PS you can promote this giveaway on the new Quilty Giveaways site (it’s free and easy)
http://quiltygiveaways.blogspot.com
That Pineapple quilt is gorgeous. I just love it. I would so like to win this book.
I would love to win a copy of this book…. however, if not… Christmas is coming! My Christmas list keeps getting longer and longer with quilting books I want!
Looks like a GREAT book–can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
The pineapple quilt is beautiful! Its a pattern I’ve wanted to try for years but was alittle afraid of it. With Anita’s techniques maybe I’ll get my nerve up and give it a try. Thanks for the great giveaway.
I’d love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
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This sounds like a must-have book!
I love make it simpler techniques! Thanks for the chance!
Just got my magazine in the mail yesterday. Took time to glance through it, but will read it later today. The article looks interesting! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.
I have to admit that my Rotary cutter is my best friend. Thanks for the opportunity to win your book!
Now that looks like a fascinating book! I’m always looking for better ways to use my rotary cutter and love the looks of the quilts featured! I hope I win the book……
I read and reread Anita’s new pattern in your Quiltmaker magazine with amazement, wondering of course how did she do that?! Thanks Anita, for making a copy of your new book available to some lucky winner. I’d sure love to be that person!! Keep on cutting!!
I enjoy chatting with Anita on the quilting forum we both belong to, but have yet to read her book. Your article has completely intrigued me, and now I feel I must find out what all the excitement is about!
The book is great!
This book looks innovative …can’t wait to try out these methods! Cutting up my skirt to get the correct fabric is something I would do in a pinch!!!
I enjoyed your interview with Anita. I think her book would be great to have. Thanks for the chance to win.
Oh boy! An opportunity to learn something new! :~) Sounds like a great book to have.
I am always on the lookout for information that will make quilting easier and more fun. New info in a great book from Anita. Wonderful!!
Can’t wait to see that book love all of Anita’s inovations
Always on the outlook for innovative techniques – and I’d love to own this book by someone I feel like I sort of know through the about.com quilting forum! Thanks for the opportunity, Quiltmaker, C&T and Anita!
As started quilting pre-rotary, Anita’s book would be helpful to learn newer methods of rotary use.
Made a test Arrowhead block the first night I saw it in Quiltmaker; it turned out great and plan on expanding it to make a whole quilt. Can’t wait to get my hands on her newest book to try out some of her other slick approaches to cutting. What a hoot!
Ooo…thank you for the chance.~
I would delight in winning this. I love Anita’s inspiration for her quilters. She’s such a blessing to quilters.
Would love to be entered in this drawing – thanks! Her designs are so wonderful – would LOVE the book!
What a fantastic idea! Can’t wait to try Arrowhead and some of the others in the book. It is a rotary cutting revolution!!
Oh, this book is a definite must for my quilt library! Thanks so much for your generous giveaway!
I’d be thrilled to get this book, as I’m all about making the craft part simpler so that the creative process can flow better.
Anita’s patterns are so innovative and thoughtful, I’d be thrilled to win. Thanks for the great give-away.
Oh myyyy!!!!, I’d love to have the chance to be entered in the drawing and being picked of course!!!!, I’d love to win the book!!!!
When I saw you cut into your Liberty of London skirt,I knew the book was going to be mine one way or another!! I did make the anita’s Arrowhead block alreaddy, love the technique,it went so fast and accurate,and fun!! Thank you Anita for al this fun with quilting!!! Bonnie Nyquist bonniesline at aol dot com
Love the quilt. Such a great idea.
I’ve admired Anita’s work for some time now and would love to win a copy of her book. Thanks!
what a great interview. And, I would love to own the book.
Great suggestion/reminder for all level quilters – make one trial block first. This not only test size but if you like your color combinations. After reading the article in Quiltmaker this book just moved to the top of my shopping wishlist.
The book sounds very interesting. I would love to try some of the techniques.
Photos look good enough to eat!
I have just recently discovered Anita and the wondrous things she does with the rotary cutter. I would love to win her book.
Can’t wait to try Anita’s Arrowhead pattern. Her “Make It Simpler” techniques are indeed very clever and simple.
Looks like a great book featuring some clever techniques.
Karen A
I always wonder how it can change for the better; we think there is no new way and yet someone thinks of something super creative! Would love to read this book.
What a great book!! Would love to win it….thanks for the chance!!
Am excited to see in person!
I’m a fairly new quilter, but think I could easily follow along…and do okay!
The step by step in this book is incredible. I’ve already make Anita’s Arrowhead and Windmills -now collecting scraps for self-mitered log cabin… yahoo!
As a new quilter this book would be just the ticket for me to learn from, it looks awesome. Thanks.
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I bought the book and it is awesome! My brain is buzzing with ideas for new quilts. Thanks for the great ideas! a really innovative technique.
I can’t wait to see this book! (Love the skirt story.)
Sure would love to get my hands on a copy of this book! I’ve got my Quiltmaker Magazine with the pattern marked!!
I just made the windmill quilt for a friend of mine having a baby. She loved it! Very easy to follow steps – I did everything including pre-starching the fabric in the fridge! Can’t wait to make my next quilt from this book!
Sound very interesting. Looking forward to see the book! Thanks for the give away!
thank you for beautiful designs for all quilters. thanks for the giveaway
thx for the giveaway – love the diffrent interpretations of the block, very inspirational!
I love the block, too. I love quilt books, so I hope to get your. Thank you.
I really love the block and thank you for the giveaway. If I don’t win I just may need to go buy it. Good luck to all.
I watched the Simply Quilts episode. What wonderful techniques!!. I have started to starch my fabric, and I love handling it. So much easier!! Why didn’t I think of that? Thanks for the wonderful expertise. Truly make things simpler. The book looks amazing.
anita is a genius with fabric and design. she is a wonderful teacher and takes the mystery out of quilting. she is very generous with her knowledge and takes delight in her work.