Let’s take a deep dive into one of the oldest quilt patterns: The Mariner’s Compass.
The Mariner’s Compass is not only one of the oldest quilt patterns around, it also was one of the first ones who claimed a consistent name. It hit its height of popularity between 1840 and 1850 and was especially prevalent along the Eastern Seaboard. The pattern – a circle with radiating points – resembles the “Wind Rose” and “Compass Rose” found on many maps, sea charts, and magnetic compasses.
Like a lot of Eastern Seaboard immigrants, the block has its quilty DNA in England. Quilts with this compass on them popped up there around 1726. In the United States, the earliest surviving Mariner’s Compass quilt dates back to 1834, but the name Mariner’s Compass (used referring to a quilt) was used in American letters and printed documents as early as 1798. However, like most quilt blocks, the name and the pattern itself went through several transformations before it came to be recognized as we know it today. Carrie Hall and Rose Kretsinger called it Chips and Whetstones. Ruth Finley first named it Country Gentleman and then re-named it Mariner’s Compass. It’s also been dubbed The Explosion and Sunburst. However, by the 1960’s it was consistently called Mariner’s Compass and was recognized by that name.
The thought behind the block mimics a magnetic compass. There are four longer spikes designating north, south, east, and west, with the northern spike pointing straight up. All four of these are usually the same color or in the same color family. Most of the time the Mariner’s Compass serves as a medallion in a quilt:
And is surrounded by smaller compasses or a New York Beauty block.
Sometimes smaller Mariner’s Compasses are made, and these are set horizontally.
This particular type of setting is generally found in the older quilts, dating from the 1830’s to the 1850’s. It’s tempting to think that since an actual compass shows true north and gives direction even if the sky is foggy or it’s nighttime, the Mariner’s Compass quilt was made and given to folks who were facing a new direction in life – a graduation, a marriage, or who were moving away. I wish I could say “Yes, that’s true,” but I’d be lying. The actual history of this block is slim and if there were any actual meanings or superstitions behind this quilt, they have long been forgotten.
What we do know is this: The Mariner’s Compass technically falls under the “Star Blocks” category. It’s a star based on a circular design
Instead of the typical star block, which is generally based on a square.
For a quilter, the Mariner’s Compass is one of those blocks you look at, admire, and then ask yourself, “How in the world do you construct one?” It’s one of those blocks which take a bit of pre-planning because color placement is important. The dominate points (north, south, east, and west) need to stand out and the triangles behind those points should both harmonize and contrast.
The next consideration is accuracy. There are a few quilt blocks you can kind of “fudge” on your cutting. If it’s a little wonky, you can usually “correct” this in your piecing (such as a four- or nine-patch). The Mariner’s Compass is not one of those blocks. In addition, your seam allowances should be steadfastly consistent. Plus, you’re working with elongated triangles, and you know what that means … bias. Lots of bias. Be prepared to spray starch that fabric until it feels like paper. Then let’s throw in circles. You’re constructing a circular star which is sewn to a rectangle.
There is seriously a lot going on in this block.
Let’s break it down so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming.
- Cutting Accuracy. Yes, you can quite possibly do the math and come up with the size fabric strip needed and the angle you need to cut it to make your points.
You also have better things to do with your time. Even if you’re a math superstar, now is not the time to show off. Not when there are Mariner’s Star templates. Marti Mitchell has a set of acrylic templates. Electric Quilt 8 has templates. Amazon has a host of templates for this block. Trace around the templates and cut the pieces out with your scissors or trim around them with a rotary cutter. There are several sites which offer free paper templates for the Mariner’s Compass, too.
If you have an AccuQuilt, this company produces a couple of different dies for the Mariner’s Compass, complete with notches to match together and pin before you sew, so everything goes together easy-peasy. These dies make 12-inch blocks, but truthfully, this is one block I wouldn’t want to try to make any smaller.
However, in my opinion, for complete accuracy without a lot of fuss, I would paper piece it. There are free paper piecing Mariner’s Compass patterns on several web sites, as well as those you can purchase.
- Color/Fabric Choice. No matter if I were traditionally piecing the pattern or paper piecing it, I would decide my color scheme, color a picture of the compass I’m making, and then do my fabric pull. If you use EQ8, this can easily be done. For me, this is not one of those blocks I can “free style it” and decide what I want to use as I go along. There definitely must be some dominate colors and some supporting ones. I think it’s easier to make those decisions before block construction begins.
- Consistent Seam Allowances. If you decide to paper piece this block, you don’t have to worry about consistent seam allowances. You simply sew on the line (another reason I would rather paper piece this block). However, I do realize not all my readers enjoy paper piecing. So, if you plan on traditionally piecing this block, a quilter’s ¼-inch foot would be your BFF throughout this process.
But speed would not. Sew slowly (or at least slower than you normally do). Slower sewing allows you to control your fabric and keep a consistent ¼-inch seam allowance.
- Bias. Anytime fabric is cut at an angle, you encounter bias.
Anything cut on the bias will stretch more than fabric cut on the crosswise grain (second most stretchy cut) or the length wise grain (least stretchy cut). Bias isn’t anything to be scared of, but there are a couple of actions you want to put into play as you deal with bias. The first is to spray starch the fabric until it almost feels like paper. And in order to do this, you need real spray starch, not a starch substitute. Starch substitutes are great for some applications, but this isn’t one of them. Starch the fabric on the wrong side, lightly spraying a fine mist of starch, and then pressing it into the fabric with a hot iron. Repeat the process – because it will take several starch applications – until the fabric feels like paper. Then cut your Mariner’s Compass points out.
The second action is simply don’t handle the pieces with bias anymore than you must. Overhanding the block units is a sure-fire way to stretch the bias. Cut the pieces out and set them aside until you need them.
- Joining the circular compass to the square piece of fabric. Sometimes the Mariner’s Compass pattern can be divided into quarter sections. If this is the case with your pattern, the background fabric can be attached to each quarter by machine – the curve is gentle and if you sew slowly you should be able to control the fabric and keep a consistent ¼-inch seam. I would treat these blocks the same way I would a Drunkard’s Path block – I’d make the outside block piece a bit bigger, sew it on, and then trim it to fit.
Then there are Mariner’s Compass blocks like this:
In this type of compass block, it seems as if the circular compass is floating on top of the block. Being an applique quilter, I’d use the reverse applique technique. For me, this would be the simplest and most accurate method of getting the compass centered and inserted into the block – not to mention, this method would minimize bulk.
The first Mariner’s Compass – a real one, not a quilted one – was invented by the Chinese Han Dynesty around 206 BC using a lodestone and a piece of iron. The magnetized lodestone would always push the piece of iron to point north, giving the early sailors and explorers direction in unfamiliar lands and waters. Through the years, the Mariner’s Compass evolved into the quilt block we know. It’s a block which does require some skill (definitely not a beginner project) and patience. Some quilters I know would rather hand piece this block and others don’t mind throwing it under their machine needle. Either way, it’s one of those blocks when carefully thought out and accurately constructed, throws a “Wow” factor into any quilt.
Have I made one? Yes. One block.
Will I make more? While my son admires my quilting, he’s the child who rarely comes out and says “This is what I’d really like to have” as far as my quilts go. However, he has mentioned in the past he really likes this block. So yes. When I finish up a few other projects I have under my needle now, I will. A large one. A medallion Mariner’s Compass. For my ocean-loving, Florida-dwelling kid.
Until Next Week, From My Studio to Yours!
Love and Stitches,
Sherri and Felix.
