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:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  10. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing. Your arrows are wonderful.

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely clear tutorial and your arrows are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  15. 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!

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great tutorial!! Thank you for sharing!

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

    ReplyDelete
  20. Brilliant! Adding to my one day list.

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

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

    Elizabeth

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

    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  24. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wonderful...just wonderful...thanks!

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

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

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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

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

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  33. 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/

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  36. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  37. 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/

    ReplyDelete
  38. 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.

    ReplyDelete
  39. 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

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am very happy to locate your website. I just wanted to thank you for the time you spent on this great article. I definitely enjoyed reading it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.


    www.gofastek.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. 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!!!!

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

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

    ReplyDelete