Mariner's Compass

My Mariner's Compass

Greetings and welcome to my Blog.  I have been quilting since 2002.  I started with Needle Turn Applique and in 2004 progressed to piecing.  In 2005 I decided that I wanted to make quilts to enter in Quilt Shows.  I wanted my work to be judged so that I could improve and become more proficient in my hobby.  Since 2006 I have shown quilts in San Antonio and New Braunfels, Texas Quilt Shows, and Tucson, AZ Quilt Show. 

A little History of My Mariner's Compass Quilt.  (I designed the entire Setting for this quilt) 

This quilt was to be a  Mariner's Compass quilt with 4 blocks.  After completing the 4 paper pieced compasses (I have never paper pieced another quilt since this one), I found out the hard way that the pattern had a problem when it came to the "ring" for the Compass.  I then turned to another Designer of Mariner Compasses and was able to change the ring.  I hand appliqued each compass to the outer rings.  I then decided to make 9 of the Compasses and make a quilt to enter into a Quilt Show in New Braunfels, Texas for the 2006 Show.  It would be my first quilt show entry.  The blocks sat for 3 months until I could decide how I wanted to design the setting.  I chose to put a small binding to set the Compasses in and then make 72 Flying Geese.  Now that was a trip.  I made the first set using a ruler for Flying Geese and that just did not work.  Again I set the project aside and was saved by using the Elenor Burns Flying Geese Ruler.  During 2005 I acquired a Handi Quilter Longarm machine and this was my first quilt to quilt on the Longarm.  It is a beautiful quilt, it has been appraised for $1800.00, and brought me a 3rd Place Ribbon.  I was advised by the Judge I would have taken Best of Show if I had sent it to a Professional Longarm Quilter, but I was thrilled with 3rd place and very pleased with my first try at longarm quilting.

 I hope you enjoy my Blog.  I will be posting past projects, projects in the "Que", and current projects.  I will share all of the good and bad in the quilt making process, and hopefully through my experiences you will be able to help improve your quilting skills.