Mariners Compass...

Last November, I was lucky enough to attend a class on making a Mariners Compass. The class was run by Chris, from Patchwork Fundamentals. If you look closely at the first photo on Chris' blog, I'm the short one with the mauve and purple Mariners Compass. If you think mine looks smaller than everyone else's, it is. That's because my compass is loosely pinned to the outside fabric, whereas everyone else had already sewn theirs. Most had already sewn the centre piece as well. I was most definitely the new kid on the block that day and the only one who had never done paper piecing before.

I attended the class with a friend and former work colleague and had lots to catch up on. Talking too much, may or may not have contributed to me not finishing... LOL!!!

As I began the day knowing nothing about Foundation Paper Piecing, I had a lot to learn. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was very pleased with what I achieved.

I was keen to finish at home, but I soon realised that the tips of the points would be cut off when the circle was sewn to the outside fabric. I vaguely remember hearing at the class, why this would happen, but I can't remember. Perhaps it had something to do with not sewing to the edges? Can anyone tell me, so it doesn't happen next time? I may still finish and turn it into a cushion. We'll see.

Even if I don't finish this compass, I'm happy, because I well and truly achieved my goals:

• to find out what paper piecing was
• to learn something new to me

For the time being, I've packed this away, but at some point this year, I'll either finish it, or begin another. I have 12 months to procrastinate.

... Pam