This block, designed by one of my quilting idols (Natalia Bonner), reminds me of opening or unfolding an origami box. I loved the way it came together when I was piecing it and I enjoyed planning how to quilt it, too.

First, I echoed outside the center square to pop it up a little. Then I echoed around the outside edges of the light brown shape surrounding the square. Even though it’s made of two fabrics, I treated it as one shape, which I think helps give the impression of something opening or unfolding.

I quilted the two darker brown arrows at the same time — you can see the short traveling line in the photo of the back of the block. I just echoed inside each of the arrows, and then did the same for the red ones. I echoed inside the two red triangles, which makes them recede slightly while the dark brown ones come forward, adding to the unfolding look.

Finally I stitched in the ditch all around the block and it was done.

Focal Point is block 6 of the Splendid Sampler and was designed by Natalia Bonner.