Jinny Beyer has a FREE mariner's compass and excellent instructions. Jinny Beyer, of course, is the master of hand-piecing. It is not hard to do if you follow her directions. If you hand -piece at least one block, you will understand all quilt blocks and how they fit together. I hope you will view Jinnys' online site, even if you decide to do other types of blocks. Her work is amazing and she is so generous with her talent and patterns. There is an awesome mariner's compass in Medallion Quilts by Bettina Havig and also one in one of Marti Michell's older books. I printed the templates of those type blocks in EQ and hand-pieced one for the Hoffman Challenge that was included in their traveling trunks. I learned much about accuracy while piecing a 27 inch center Mariner. There are so many options, the one that works for you is the best. Good luck.

Welcome to the forum Chris. Sorry I can't help you with your questions. I have not done a mariners compass. We spent last week in the Dells. Cold, but no snow. Returned home to SE Missouri to 12 inches of snow. Crazy. We had a good visit with friends from Beaver Dam. Also son and DDIL dropped by to visit. They live in upper MI. If you get to the Dells, in Reedsburg is a wonderful quilt shop. They were so friendly and had over 9000 bolts of fabric.

GramaChris wrote:
Hi Chris, and welcome to the TQS forum!

You might find some of the info in my video tutorials earlier this year for paper piecing the 2013 BOM helpful: [url]learn/classrooms/[/url]

And, you might want to borrow a couple of sheets of paper from a quilty friend and try them to see which method you prefer working with.

Also, Carol Doak has a class on Craftsy.com.

I am now a fan of paper piecing but I used to totally dislike it. I couldn't do it. It would go upside down and whonko and I would end up having to unsew and resew and on and on. But then TQS put on Carol Doak's video for a while. I watched it twice and totally understood it after that. They no longer have that video available, because it was one of those extras that only run for a short while, but you can obtain it from her website. Also, Carol Doaks was a guest on TQS show 1213 where she also explains her methods. I can only add to that that I found if I use a higher number thread (I use Superior Bottom Line) to do the piecing and press with an iron between steps I get a better result. I also use a see-through paper, which helps me a lot. Hope this helps.

Definitely a family here. With paper piecing--you have to remove the paper before quilting. Ricky Tims has a product that can be used for PP and left in and becomes soft when washed.

Frostythesewman wrote:
Is using 'paper' better than using the old fashioned pellon that they use to use before paper was better : I have yrds & yrds of paper pieced pellon used just for pp. I know to use tiny stitches but what is better? With the pellon it is thicker & washes up OK but by using paper does it get stretched out easier? Can't you tell that I don't know what is easier?

MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone here I guess I have a new family using this forum from now on
Ho Ho Ho Chris

Yes, paper piecing does make it possible to make razor edge and knife sharp stars. The only thing that I would add is
the following recommendation with regard to a course of action. Get a small pattern for a paper pieced star. Get the feel of
this tecnique. Relax your shoulders, take the time to get closely acquainted with sewing in paper piecing. This is a good idea
with any new concept. Take the fear and sweat out of a big job by doing a few little ones first , using your new learned skill !

Come join us here. We'll do our best to at least try to warm your spirit. I think if I spent a week taking care of my Grandchildren I might loose my MoJo too! Mine are 9,7,5 & 2yrs old. My son has the oldest 3 and i get tired just watching them in action. It's just not as easy as it use to be. Glad you are feeling better.

anne1 wrote:

I got my MOJO back, church called & wanted a MARY outfit for XMAS service 12-15 & I think that was God's sign I'm now so excited, PRAISE THE LORD.

Now it's 0 & with a wind chill -22 below 0 we usually get this in Jan but weather is very weird here this yr. We manage cuz we're used to this in upper WI gotta love it here. I have a friend in Prembroke, Canada & sometimes our weather is colder than hers. Take care I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy now <3

Chris I know just how you feel I hadn't done any patchwork for months as I was doing a large x stitch for a friend and couldn't wait to get back to my machine, But when I went to the sewing room I didn't know what to do, So I started small with a colourful Christmas wall hanging, but I still procrastinate and spend way too much time on my laptop......jigsaws...... mah-jong.......solitaire ....etc. such a time waster.
But I am making an effort to sew.
Hope you get your mojo back.
Anne
In freezing UK but only zero how do you manage -21?

Anne, your Marinar's compass is breath taking, when I do mine I hope it looks just as good as yours. I lost my MOJO for a month & can't get back in the swing of things. I was gone for a wk to watch grands & when I got back I had no ambition what so ever. I think the weather has something to do with it as it has been way below 0 over here for a wk now & coming for another wk. right now it's -21 below this is what living in upper WI gets you. I need some one to kick me in the behind & tell me sternly to get up & do it!!! Sorry that I needed to vent.

Beautiful, Anne! Welcome, Chris~

Beautiful mariner's compass, Anne. Love the soft colors and the simplicity of the quilting accentuates the center design perfectly.