Making the Love Entwined Mariner’s Compass, Part 1

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Written by lenneamw

The Love Entwined (LE) sew along starts Jan 2025 for the Esther Aliu group. For those of us that previously made this quilt, or a version of it, we know it is a marathon rather than a sprint. Much preparation is needed and it is never too early to get a start on it. (Nor too late!)

Some choose to leave the compass for later. Esther did hers first and I did as well. Why? Because I like to have a “color guideline” in a major applique piece. I can wander away from my colors if I am not focused on my fabric choices!

Yes, we can redo our colors if we want, but with my dark background and large scale print in the mix, I need to stick to my color plan for it to come together. This week there will be two blogs, the making of the compass and another on my color choices!

I chose to make my compass using a paper piecing method. Previously, I made Love Entwined 2 (which is primarily the LE center) using straight applique. While sufficient, it certainly could be improved upon! I made a first attempt at the center (more on that towards the end of the blog) using one of the pattern methods of cutting iron on, washable media, applying to the fabric, cutting a seam allowance around it and sewing each piece together. It was a bit wonky and I decided for my second attempt to do paper piecing.

We start with the quarter template.

The quarter section template. It cannot be sequentially pieced as is.
Cutting the template into two sections.
The paper piecing plan, divide and conquer!
A dab of glue to start the first section.
First section paper pieced with added seam allowance on the right, which will be joined to other sub section of the quarter.
The second sub section is pieced.
We cut the original template, so need to make sure that we add in our 1/4” seam allowances where cut. I am using my add a quarter small ruler for this.
The two sections, each with added seam allowances.
Joining the two sections. i am leaving a little extra beyond the bottom sewing allowance for wiggle room.
Complete two quarter sections, using the template to verify that they are sized correctly.
Cutting the top compass sections, using a water soluable media to help accuracy.
The four sections are joined to the quarter sections and pressed flat. If you have a ripple, now would be the time to correct it! It sewed together beautifully.
I tried a two toned center, but did not care for it. Instead, I fussy cut this from the large scale print that I am using as a primary fabric. I used water soluable media and did a turned edge on this circle. I will applique it down later.
I marked my horizontal center line on my background with Sew Line white ceramic marker. (Yes, I can see it!). The vertical center is my seam.

It was really exciting to see my dark grunge background with the center pinned on!

A WORD OF CAUTION Re: Printing and Scaling:

I live in the US and my printer does not take A1 paper. It also doesnt take a stack of legal size, so I print out my Esther Aliu patterns at 92%. This has always worked in the past. But not now!

The template did not print at the same scale as the quarter sections. But I did not check them when I made my first run at the compass. This resulted in a too small compass.

Yikes!
A nightmare!

Please, before you start sewing, take a moment and check that your quarter sections line up perfectly with the template.

Hindsight! I had to adjust the print size of the templates to 95% to make them fit properly.
Oh well! I had a practice run and this will make a really cute hot pad for the kitchen. And I was very happy with my color choices, so I repeated them the second go round.

When I did the compass a second time, I left a little extra around the bottom edges of those blue flowered triangles to add some wiggle room on my circle, assuring a nice fit under the ring that comes next. One can always trim a too long edge, but too short is a whole other issue!

The compass is the focus for this project; everything else flows from it. I feel like we owe it to this wonderful pattern to create them as best we can. I hope you find it helpful.

Happy applique adventuring!

Lennea

4 Comments

  3. GREAT tutorial on that compass Lennea. It stumped so many members in 2013!. Seeing it worked as you have constructed it will make it so much easier for many. I had no problem assembling my compass but on my goodness LE would not except the colours I choose. Yes this quilt talks to you and will ague with you LOL. I made 5 compasses and my last one was nothing like what I wanted to start with LOL.

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    1. Thank you! That compass is a tricky color challenge. It needs contrast or gets lost. It has to cooriinate, but also stand on its own. I have choosen a restrained color plalette, which is a bit frustrating for me, but this version has its own opinion!

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