Compass Rose

I went to bed last night so frustrated with the pictures I had taken of this quilt.  It can be a struggle getting 'the perfect shot' or even true colors.  After my first or cup of coffee this morning, I was determined to try again and let's just say they are better!

I didn't have to think real hard on what to name this quilt.  The further along I got, the more that was added, it was pretty evident.

A Compass Rose is that figure you see on a compass, map or nautical charts.  It can be very basic or rather ornate.  It gives you North, South, East and West along with the intermediate points. 

I had a totally different plan when I started this quilt, somehow I veered off course (I could have used that compass), went in circles a few times and eventually found my bearings.  

It all started when I wanted to use hand dyed scraps...

Compass Rose
46" x 64"

I was playing around with my scraps, thinking I would love to try some paper pieced triangles. Those would look good and be fun!  I opened up my EQ7 Program and searched until I found what I was looking for, did a few modifications to the size and printed them out.

There needed to be a focal point.  With little idea of what that would be, I eventually came across this star in EQ7.  Can I find it again?  Heck no!  I wasn't designing a pattern, this was all going to be done on the fly!  One piece at a time and when that was finished, I would look for something else.  

I enjoyed making this star until the center.  There were no directions, no tutorial and no turning back. I winged it and after a lot of tweaking...it came together for the most part.

The first round of geese went together quickly.  Paper piecing and points go together like peas in a pod!

From here, I kept building around and around.  Jump on EQ7, check out Pinterest or scan Instagram.  Once I saw something I liked, I figured out how I was going to use that element and found a pattern or made one.  

After each triangle/geese pieces were finished, I had to calculate the corner squares or spacing pieces from the back ground.  It was time consuming.  But when you are working with out a pattern it's to be expected.  By the way, the gray is Kona Steel.  

Point after point, they were all coming together.  I knew each round needed to stay as centered as possible.  I carefully marked and pinned (which I don't always do) hoping to keep it all on course!

Made it!  To the end.  

This would bring us to the next phase.  Pinning and quilting.  We can take a brief intermission...

Okay, ready. 

There is the usual 'hemming and hawing' about how to quilt it.  This lasted a few weeks.  I really didn't want to think about it.  I knew it needed something to tie in the compass theme, other than that, I had nothing.

When all else fails, grab the Hera Marker, ruler and figure it out as you go.  After all, that does seem like the theme of this quilt from the very start.

The quilting is all straight lines.  I would pick a point and work it around to the start. Pick another point or even the same starting point, and continue on.  Then I would quilt a few rounds and mark some more.  It became very confusing after a while!  There are some areas that are dense with quilting and some not so much.  

I really love this part!  Super dense quilting at the point and lines that radiate outwards.

Once I thought it was finished, I went back and added some more!  Maybe I was addicted, maybe I'm crazy...I couldn't help myself!  

The backing is Kona Coral and made for a great burst of color.

In the end, there were many things I would do differently with this quilt.  If I were to plan it out, yes, it would be changes.  Because it was a 'figure it out as you go', no pre-planning, I'm very pleased with it!

Are you a planner?  Do all your ducks need to be in a row before starting a project?  

LINKING:

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Can I Get A Whoop Whoop 

 Crazy Mom Quilts