Thursday, December 24, 2015

Arrowhead Transformation

Testing, testing...
Is this thing on?
Wait! Not that kind of testing---the pattern kind.
When Amy Garro of 13 Spools requested pattern testers, I threw out an offer. I've met her once in person, for a book signing of Paper Pieced Modern, and found her to be every bit as pleasant as she is talented. She asked me to try her Arrowhead block, which (spoiler-alert) isn't paper-pieced. It combines a classic Courthouse Steps block with user-friendly stitch and flip triangles.
I chose to make four regular Arrowhead blocks and four blocks with stitch and flip triangles in only one corner. Then, I left a whole bunch of negative space for future quilting possibilities. The top measures 4' square finished.
I paired Kona White with a charm pack of Transformation by Sarah Vedeler for Contempo Studio, a division of Benartex. Because everything except the background is cut smaller than a 5" square, Arrowhead is very charm pack friendly. 
The Arrowhead block is part of the Tribal Block Club, starting January 15. For an introductory membership fee of $29 (before Jan. 1), you will be privy to tutorials for 6 blocks, 3 quilt layouts, and infinite possibilities.Additionally, Amy is offering 18+ weeks of content, a learning community, and design support.
I do have a few "learn from Afton's mistakes" suggestions that you can apply to other blocks as well. First, cut your larger pieces first and/or make one block at a time if you don't have an abundance of fabric. I got carried away cutting four 2.5" squares from each charm square, and had to get creative for the larger colored pieces. It would have been much easier to use scraps left from cutting away the extra layers in the seam allowance to fill in for the smaller pieces.
Also, if you press the stitch and flip triangles in half instead of marking a line along the diagonal, it is possible to lay them in the corner, do a test flip along the pressed line to see if the block will lay as desired when sewn, and adjust accordingly.

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4 comments:

  1. What an awesome block! I really like what you did with it too. Merry Christmas!

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  2. Love how this turned out! Merry Christmas!

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  3. I like what you did Afton. Merry Christmas!

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  4. Oh, this looks great! I love that it's charm pack friendly! Merry Christmas!

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