Hi, I am a beginner quilter. I have made small things--pieced hot pads, small buffet runners, etc and have sewed alot in the past.
Now, I have a request from my daughter to make pieced table covers--5 or so--for her wedding dinner--next june, 2011. She wants a simple mariners' compass--4 major points and four minor ones between the N-S, E-W points.
I have looked for this simple pattern on line and been unsuccessful. Could anyone hlep me?

thanks alot, Ann

Welcom to the board. Have you ever tried paper-piecing?
http://www.caroldoak.com/free-quilt-patterns.php Have a look at the 2000 Member Celebration block. I think the center is what you are looking for, and it is a free pattern.

Thanks. The pattern we are looking for is much simpler--just 8 points--4 longer ones at n-e-s-w- and four shorter ones in between each of the longer ones.

Welcome from Michigan.

Is there such a thing as a "simple mariner's compass"?

How large do you (your daughter) want the compass to be?

I will try to get a picture of the design--it is on her invitations--probably not called a mariners' compass, but that's what we call it. The table are about 5 feet in diameter--for 8-10 people, and we want the topper to lay entirely on the top of the table (there will be navy blue round table cloths underneath).

Ann

A picture would be very helpful.

I was thinking one could draw the pattern pieces on newspaper -
or brown wrapping paper.

My daughter found a pattern whose center looks like what we want. I will post it. We can get this one fro $1.00. How do I eliminate some parts of it easily and have a nice background (probably of white).

Ann

Hello and Welcome from Germany!

It looks like it would be fairly easy to assemble - especially on a large scale.

I think the star would look clunky if the brown points were eliminated.