Anita's Arrowhead block

I am just about out the door to go on retreat, but thought I would share a fun block. Last year, a friend, Mickey Smith, showed me how to make Anita's Arrowhead block (PDF instuctions for 8" block here) from charm squares. The construction of the block was figured out by Anita Grossman Solomon, who, in my opinion, is a genius when it comes to slick piecing. When you use two five inch charms squares, you end up with a block approximately 4 3/4". The blocks are so cute finished, and they look like you did some really difficult piecing when in reality, it is super easy!

This is my version of Anita's Arrowhead made from my ugliest charms. Most of the charms I used for this little quilt were rejects from my Trick or Treat basket quilt. 

To make the blocks from five inch charm squares, just change the space you leave open when sewing around the square to one inch. When you cut the sides after sewing, move your ruler into the block three quarters of an inch from your stitch-line (that will be the most accurate, because the charms have pinked edges and sometimes it is hard to determine where to place your ruler to cut one inch in from the edge).

Close-up of one block. Some of my charms were cut from border prints, making the contrast kind of  "mushy".

That's it! I squared mine up to 4 3/4 inch blocks--couldn't quite squeeze five inches out of them, but you do end up with 2 blocks.

I quilted mine with clam shells and a feather border (this is the back view).