Mariner's Compass on EQ6

[Jules M.]

For our guild paint chip challenge, I was going to make a purse. I was thinking of a 1/2 mariner's compass for one side for the design. I love paper piecing.

Help!!

I'm new to EQ and can't find enough help in the book.

Can I do 1/2 a block using one of the library blocks?

And can you give me sympathy that I got stinky colors for the challenge? :lol: I have 3 turquoise & 2 orange. I think I'll add a yellow.

Thanks!
Joyce

[Robin G.]

Hi Joyce, I can't help you with EQ, but I like your idea of a half compass -- if you use the oranges and a yellow or red as the compass, and the turquoises as the background, it will look like a sunrise! Be sure to post a photo when you're done! Best, Robin

[Robin G.]

Isn't turquoise and orange opposite on the color wheel... they might look better than you think togetherI think it depends upon the fabric.

[Robin G.]

I don't have my EQ installed on the new computer yet, but there are probably a few ways you can do it. My first thought is to see if there is a border block with the half mariners already designed. you could probably select edit and work on the portion you want.

Page 87 of EQ6 gives you a lesson on editing library blocks. using those techniques you could choose a block, draw a line through the center, make sure the lines are connected to the line you just drew, then delete the bottom half of the block. select all and drag the block to fill in the square.. save to your sketch book. then on the quilt table make a rectangle shaped single block quilt and insert your 1/2 mariners. from there you can print out the block.

a third way is to select block, change to guide lines, draw a line across the center and pretty much trace the lines you want to keep. select all and drag out to fit the square.

Then again you could design your own using the lessons section. Start a new project using easy draw. pg 89 shows how to partition Arcs. This would probably be the least amount of aggrivation with trying to keep lines connected.

It takes practice but can be done. hope it helps Cheryl

[Jules M.]

Thanks Cheryl! Before I got to your reply, I did work at deleting half the block but wasn't sure how to finish it. Thanks for your tips!

I'm going to tweak it today. And I chose some fabrics so need to click the order button and get that started. I love equilter but it takes so long to get the order to IL. :roll:

I have until the 3rd week of April so will get to it when the fabric arrives!

And I'm debating about maybe switching to 2 NY Beauty blocks so it is easier to paper piece. The Mariner's Compass has those bits of curved seams. :?

Joyce

[Jules M.]

glad I could help. For curved piecing, I have used Sharon Schamber's method using glue. Alex did a similar method making a circle. Much easier than pins.

[Betty J.]

Hi. I have had real success asking questions about the best use of EQ straight from the source. They have a forum where you can post a question like yours and they will post a reply fairly quickly. I managed to learn how to draw a shaped edge on one side only this way. Here's the link: http://doyoueq.com/phpBB3/index.php

Hope that helps. I love the idea, by the way, of a half mariner's compass on a bag. Sounds quite interesting. You probably can embellish the fabrics a bit to make them work together well. Cheers, BJ

[Myra U.]

Hey, she-quilts, did you ever have success with the mariner's compass? I hope you did. I'm looking at buying this version, so hope you all learn all you can do with it, so I can pick your brains.

[Jules M.]

Hi Myra!

I ended up going with 2 NY Beauty quarters since I've pieced a lot of them.

Here is my finished purse.

And the WHOLE story on the challenge is here: http://jmquilts.wordpress.com/2010/0...hip-challenge/ hint: I won 1st in my category.

I've never used this yet as the purse went to the 2nd of 3 fairs I entered this year. By then I was swamped with end of August responsibilities and never changed my purse. Do you think it is too late? Or if I just use it for a few weeks into Sept?

[Susan B.]

I'd use it all year and pretend I was in the islands. Beautiful purse!

[Myra U.]

Joyce, That's so cool (hot!) that you won in your category and have a great purse to use (whenever you finally get it back, that is). I agree with suehenyon, use the purse whenever you want to and it matches your outfit! I think the old "no white after Labor Day" rule is so outdated -- we just wear what looks great and is comfortable whenever. Those New York beauty blocks in those colors are really outstanding. Great job! AND, I hope you eventually find the solution to your problem with EQ6. Hope you find the solution.