Mariner's Compass help
02-03-2010, 04:19 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NH
Posts: 377
I have wanted to a Mariner's compass quilt, so I have been doing some practice blocks. I need input on matching the center seams. :?
Practice Mariner's Compass block
[ATTACH=CONFIG]37206[/ATTACH]
Practice block
[ATTACH=CONFIG]37207[/ATTACH]
Practice block
[ATTACH=CONFIG]37208[/ATTACH]
02-03-2010, 04:41 PM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Central Washington State
Posts: 5,997
I think your center points match very well, indeed!
One idea, you may have already done, is to start in the center of the block and sew outward, rather than starting at an outer edge.
When you stitch the 2-two block sections together, it will be even more important. Because you are starting in the center, working outward, you may want to start with very tiny stitches for the first half. When you return to center, place your needle down so that you will be stitching directly on top of the tiny stitches, this will lock your ends in place. Three or four of these locking stitches, not so tiny as your first set will do the job admirably. :thumbup:
And, always remember! If those are your practice blocks and look that good? Those are probably the worst you will ever do!
Good show! <wave>
One idea, you may have already done, is to start in the center of the block and sew outward, rather than starting at an outer edge.
When you stitch the 2-two block sections together, it will be even more important. Because you are starting in the center, working outward, you may want to start with very tiny stitches for the first half. When you return to center, place your needle down so that you will be stitching directly on top of the tiny stitches, this will lock your ends in place. Three or four of these locking stitches, not so tiny as your first set will do the job admirably. :thumbup:
And, always remember! If those are your practice blocks and look that good? Those are probably the worst you will ever do!
Good show! <wave>
02-03-2010, 07:04 PM
#7
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: northern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 233
From what I can see, the only centre points that aren't dead on appear to be the middle ones that would be putting the two halves together. To do that, and hopefully get them dead on, make sure the middle seam of each half is pressed in the opposite direction from the other, when right sides are put together. Then you should be able to really butt those centre seams right tight together, so that when they are sewn they line up perfectly. Did that make any sense? LOL
Your practice blocks look just like mine did, so I will point out something you may not have noticed, especially if you haven't assembled them into anything (ie. adding to them). I learned very quickly to add more fabric for the backgroung, or make sure, if designing the compass myself, to have the points end well inside the circle. The closer they are to the edge of the circle, the more chance of losing the points when adding fabric to the outside. I learned that the hard way...sigh... LOL
Your practice blocks look just like mine did, so I will point out something you may not have noticed, especially if you haven't assembled them into anything (ie. adding to them). I learned very quickly to add more fabric for the backgroung, or make sure, if designing the compass myself, to have the points end well inside the circle. The closer they are to the edge of the circle, the more chance of losing the points when adding fabric to the outside. I learned that the hard way...sigh... LOL
02-04-2010, 06:31 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NH
Posts: 377
From what I can see, the only centre points that aren't dead on appear to be the middle ones that would be putting the two halves together. To do that, and hopefully get them dead on, make sure the middle seam of each half is pressed in the opposite direction from the other, when right sides are put together. Then you should be able to really butt those centre seams right tight together, so that when they are sewn they line up perfectly. Did that make any sense? LOL
Your practice blocks look just like mine did, so I will point out something you may not have noticed, especially if you haven't assembled them into anything (ie. adding to them). I learned very quickly to add more fabric for the backgroung, or make sure, if designing the compass myself, to have the points end well inside the circle. The closer they are to the edge of the circle, the more chance of losing the points when adding fabric to the outside. I learned that the hard way...sigh... LOL[/quote]
Good POINT I will be mindful when I start the background, and the center is what I was having a hard time with. Thanks for your input. :lol:
Your practice blocks look just like mine did, so I will point out something you may not have noticed, especially if you haven't assembled them into anything (ie. adding to them). I learned very quickly to add more fabric for the backgroung, or make sure, if designing the compass myself, to have the points end well inside the circle. The closer they are to the edge of the circle, the more chance of losing the points when adding fabric to the outside. I learned that the hard way...sigh... LOL[/quote]
Good POINT I will be mindful when I start the background, and the center is what I was having a hard time with. Thanks for your input. :lol:
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