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.

Hello, and welcome from Idaho!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

Welcome from Oregon!

See if your local library has Judy Mathieson's book "Setting a New Course Mariners Compass Quilts". She shows you how to draft one out to the size you need. Yes the compass you describe with 8 points is relatively easy. The one you posted is easy too, even with the smaller points. If the star is assembled the way I know how to do it, it is an easy matter to not include the smaller brown points. I like making them with the freezer paper method that Judy also thoroughly describes in her book.

Hi from Ohio!

Hello and welcome to the board!

Welcome from Ireland

Hello and welcome to the board!

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D

Here are two more simple blocks I found in my EQ program, one I did slightly alter to make 4 of the points a bit smaller.

If you like either one of these, send me a PM and I can post the templates or foundation pieces here for you. To send me a PM, just click on my name on the left, and then click on send PM :D:D:D

Welcome from northern California!

Hello and welcome from CT.

Welcome!

I am brand new so I can't answer your question but wanted to say.....Howdy and Welcome from Kentucky! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/s...um/welcome.gif

Welcome from Virginia