I want to make a Mariner's Compass that will be as large as the traditional Lone Star quilt. I'm thinking about 30 inches diameter.
Does anyone know how to do this or have a pattern this large? All the patterns I have found are for 12 inch blocks.

wow, sounds pretty, don't have an idea about the pattern

Pam has done them.. squares. I have done one that she helped me with that is going to be a pillow for my MIL. I will look for it and post a pic if I cann find it. Or maybe Pam can post some of her beautiful ones! It was a paper pieced one.. my first time piecing for me. I need to do it a few more times! But it was enjoyable, Pam is a good teacher.

The one I want to copy is a wall hanging or a lap quilt. I just know that I want to make that my center and then have 8 - 12" embroidered lighthouses on the border. This quilt is for my husband who served in the Coast Guard and loves lighthouses.
I may have to just get daring and take it to my quilting group along with my hoola-hoop and draft the pattern the way I want it... I was just hoping that someone else had already done the work for me :D

If you have the pattern that you already like, you could take it to Staples, Kinkos, etc. and have them blow it up for you.

Not sure whether you'd consider getting a book for this? If yes... Judy Mathieson has two 30'' patterns in her book Mariners Compass - Setting a New Course: one with 20 points with a ring of flying geese, and one with 64 points.

The book also has fantastic step by step instructions for designing and drafting your own, in any size and proportions you want. I made my own practice pattern following her instructions, and I'd never done anything like it before.

(The compass I made from my pattern is here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-41842-1.htm
That's just a 12'' block I made, to find out how it works. I'm going to design a larger one next!)

http://www.meadowlilybridge.com/catalog.php?item=22

This is bigger (48"), but you could elimintate/adjust the outer border to the size you want.

You can do it on your printer - just do a "poster" size! Mine can do 1 page, 2, 4 or 6 8 1/2 x 11 sheets per pattern

Thank you, are a good student! I think we would get more done if we did not spend all of our time eating and laughing!

Leota, take a large sheet of paper, like blank newsprint and make your own design, I do it all of the time! It is fairly easy.

I highly recommend the Mariners Compass book by Judy Mathieson. Not only does this book contain a pattern that large for a couple of different MC but also teaches the freezer paper technique for making them and instructions on how to draft your own. http://www.amazon.com/Mariners-Compa...0819223&sr=1-2

Thank you all for your encouragement and vote of confidence that I can draft my own pattern and for the links to the patterns.

Do an internet search for Medalion Mariner's Compass Quilt Block and see if that brings up anything. Or Mariner's Compass Medalion Quilt Pattern.

Okay, I have to ask....why the hoola hoop? Inquiring minds want to know!
:)

Ditter

It is really difficult to find a compass that will draw a circle big enough to draft a 30" compass. Basically she would have to resort to the string around a pivot point or a hula hoop

:lol:

How ingenious!!! I'd have never thought of that. I'd have probably just folded into quarters and done the string thing but that's never completely accurate.

Maybe someone with knowledge of EQ6 could do a basic design for you in the size you want. I know it is able. You just need a willing person....I don't know it well enough yet!!

Leota, do you mean you use the hoop on fabric and don't really "Hula Hoop" when you cut???? Oh man, I was looking forward to a video of that. LOL

There was a pattern for a King size quilt that has a MC center that is paper pieced and measures 24" square.
It is called Set Sail and was in the Fall/Winter 2008 Quilt Sampler magazine.

No, I use the hoola hoop to draw my "compass" and then draw the star in the circle, then I cut the pieces apart and add 1/4" to pieces. I would think this would work.

Were you able to find this pattern?

I have the same dilemma, looking for a split 16 point mariner's compass with a diameter of 30 inches.