Thursday, May 1, 2014

ARROWS---A HOW TO

******I need to start off by saying that there are probably other tutorials out there for piecing arrows, but this is what I did to make mine.

I used scraps for the tail feathers and bits of yardage for the backgrounds. First of all, you will need to piece a strip set.
 Start with a background strip about 3" x 19" or 20"
4 or 5 coloured strips ranging 1 " to 1 1/2"  x 19" or 20"
ending with a background strip 3" x 19" or 20"


Place the 45* line of your ruler on the bottom of the strip set. It's ok to have it go off the top corner. You will still have enough background.  Cut the angle


Turn strip set around so the angle is on your left.


Cut a strip 2 1/4"


We now need to cut another 45* angle the opposite direction. Place the 45* line of your ruler on the bottom of the strip set. Again, it's ok to have it off the fabric on the bottom right.


Cut the angle


Turn the strip set around


Cut a strip 2 1/4"


If you put the cut pieces back, it should look like this


That big triangle in the middle? It won't go to waste as I plan on using it in my quilt somewhere.


Square off the ends of your tail feather units leaving yourself some background


Now cut some background pieces 2 1/4" by however long you want your arrow to be. Mine are made up of several pieces to give it a more scrappy look. Cut a 1" by 3" background piece for the tail end of arrow
The arrow was cut 1" by about 18" and the arrow head is a flying geese unit cut 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" with
 2 1/2" connector corners sewn on


Sew background pieces to tail feather units and sew to either side of arrow. Sew on arrow head


Done!

This is what I have in mind for the triangle pieces that are left over. I think they will make nice blocks or perhaps a border


**If you want to make several at a time, you can make a strip set and cut several pieces the same angle, then make a matching strip set and cut several of the opposing angles. That way, there would be less waste--- but I want the leftovers        : )





I hope that's clear. Any questions just ask.  If you make one, I'd love to see!

stats:
Arrow pattern: making it up as I went along
fabrics:  scraps,  with text low volume backgrounds ( pure, eclectic elements, word play, various black on cream)
block size : 4 1/2" x 20" or  23"  whatever you decide!

Diane Warburton-- you asked about the backgrounds but I had no way of replying. There is no info on your google+ profile and you came up as no-reply. Hope this helps  : )

linking up with Fresh Sewing Day

50 comments:

Needled Mom said...

Those are just fabulous, Carla. It is going to be a beautiful piece.

Kim said...

Your arrows are gorgeous, Carla. Wonderful tutorial, very concise partnered with wonderful 'how to' photos!!

Katie said...

great tutorial -- I have been eying making arrows for a while.

Ladyquiltsalot said...

Super cool! Can't wait to see what you do with them.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Looks fantastic, Carla! Thank you for the tutorial! x Teje

Audrey Mackie said...

What a great way to use up your scrap strips. Perfect for any little boy quilt.

Nicky said...

Thanks for the tute! Great for any Robin Hood or Hunger Games fan ...

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

What a great plan Carla - I can't wait to get started!

Jocelyn said...

Very cool! I love them!

The Calico Cat said...

Thanks so much - I wish my scraps were longer...

Teresa in Music City said...

Oh how fun!!!! I've "pinned" your tutorial - I'd love to make some one day when I get out from under some of my current commitments :) Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

Thanks for sharing. Your arrows are wonderful.

Jo Jo said...

That's a very clever way to make them, they are fab!

Live a Colorful Life said...

This is going to be amazing! Thanks for the tutorial.

quiltmania said...

Great Tutorial Carla!

Megan said...

Lovely clear tutorial and your arrows are beautiful!

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

AWESOME - thank you!!!!

Heather @ Winding Bobbins said...

Fantastic, thanks for doing this!

Susan said...

These are going to the top of my 'to-do' list Carla! Thank you for this tutorial. Keep an eye out for what I do with them!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Your arrows are really neat and this is the first time I have seen any! Wonderful tutorial!

Rene' said...

Wow, these are incredible Carla!!! Thanks for sharing your process. Bookmarking this for future reference.

Shanna said...

Great tutorial!! Thank you for sharing!

Carla said...

Oh, wow! I am so impressed. This is going to be so cool!!

trash said...

Brilliant! Adding to my one day list.

Debra said...

Way cool! Love your colors and the piecing is great. Stopping by from the Small Blog Meet - glad I did!

OPQuilt said...

Fun to try something new! I love this easy way of making the arrows.

Elizabeth

Bluebell Ridge Handworks said...

Your arrows are pure fun! Love them :o)

OPQuilt said...

This was really easy to follow--hope I did mine correctly!

Elizabeth

CitricSugar said...

Great tutorial! And I loved that you are planning ahead with the "scraps" and leftover strip chunks... :-)

Just finished catching up - you've been busy knitting your poor hands off! I've been knitting socks, too, and totally understand about the cast-off thing... I struggle with remembering the kitchener stitch so if I can avoid it, I'm happy. Instead, I tend to do toe-up socks and then use Jeny's super stretchy bind-off, which is easy, at the cuffs.

Cannery Row is turning out absolutely gorgeous - can't wait to see it finished!

Barb said...

Wonderful...just wonderful...thanks!

ewecan said...

Awesome arrows. Came this way by way of Olfa facebook link!

SewCalGal said...

What a fun design. Thank you for sharing. Definitely goes into my list of favorite tutorials. Love it.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Nat at Made in Home said...

Oh I may just have to do some myself now! Great tutorial Carla!

Heather @ Bobbins and Bullets said...

These arrows are great, I especially love the mixed LV background. Thanks for linking up to Anything Goes Monday!

Sarah said...

Great idea!! Are the arrows going to be a border? That would be fun on a cowboys and indian quilt for a little boy...

Cindy said...

I love those scrappy arrows! Thanks for writing up the tute. Can't wait to give them a try.

Claudia/Ompompali said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial! I love those arrows and I am sure I will make some! So kind of you to share!

Kelly said...

Thanks for the tutorial - I'm certainly going to put it to good use! I've pinned your arrows to my "Quilty Goodness" board on Pinterest (with proper credit, of course!). Feel free to follow me if you'd like: http://pinterest.com/lipglass/quilty-goodness/

Valerie said...

Love this!

SarahZ said...

Thank you for the tutorial! Must try these, border maybe?...for all the archers in our family :)

salamanda said...

Just found this tutorial and want to try it, thank you for making my life easier.

nansews said...

So this is way easier than I thought. I am very excited because right now I am organizing all my fabric scraps and cutting them into useful strips and squares. We are into archery so I am really looking forward to making a quilt with these blocks and busting my stash at the same time. Thank you so much for the excellent post.

erin said...

thanks for the great tutorial! I had a great time making these arrows. here's the link to my blog where I posted mine

http://www.fallergirl.com/me-and-my-arrows/

Amy Jean said...

Started a quilt for a new baby named Archer. He has to have a quilt with arrows! I was happy to find your instructions and pattern. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Saw arrow quilt on IG and went on crazy hunt for pattern as I love this! Then to see your huge arrow quilt and discover your latest post of homemade barn doors....I'm going to love this blog! Thank you

Unknown said...

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Unknown said...

I just have a question...how do I make the arrow head? What are the measurements of the side fabric to make it a point? I have the brown part cut out at 4.5 and 2.5...what about the sides? Thank you so so much!!! Love love this pattern!!!!

Carla said...

Hi Unknown ********** The connector corners are cut 2 1/2" square. Hope you see this ; )

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tutorial. Not sure if I can post a picture of my arrow but I was very pleased with the results.

Quiltin Jenny said...

This is super cute!!