You're an artist. It's fabulous.

I like the lighter center but either would be beautiful!

Kate

(Photobucket won't let you make pictures any larger than the ones you uploaded. You can make them smaller, but not bigger.)

LOVE the mariner's compass! Good job to your DH and to you!

#2 definitely!!! Did You actually make the Mariner's Compass?
It looks so gorgeous, how could you even consider the other center???? Too much snow has clouded your judgment if you do not positively love the Mariner's Compass LOL.
We got another 19.5 inches of snow, so I know I am stir crazy!
Your DH designed a beautiful M Compass - what does he think of the 2 centers?
Was this quilt all regular Paper Piecing? vs English PP (which I need to read about - I don't know the difference - only that there is a difference.)

Number 2 - without a doubt! It's lovely.

I llike the Mariner's compass best, too, especially with the brown sashing in place. That's a lovely bit of work!

Jennifer - I forgot to add:
Thank you so much for posting pictures of your progress (as I had asked you).
You really got alot done - it is beautiful.

Absolutly perfect!! Love the mariners compass it really makes it outstanding. Jayne

How can you not want the Mariner's Compass? And you've already pieced it?

It's perfect.

Well, of course I like the Mariner's compass. I was just seeing what everyone else thought!

Yes, I actually made the mariner's compass. I fussy cut the printed triangles to get the kaleidescope affect. The cream & drk brown triangle sections are paper pieced, and the green was cut with a tempate. A lot of inset seams...I'm better at them now than I was before! I will need to applique a small circle (probably brown) to the center...the points barely meet and will fray during the wash. It doesn't need to be larger than a nickel.

MRG~ This is all regular paper pieced...sewn pieces to paper. English paper piecing is hand pieced around a stiff template and then the template is removed.

Still lots to do with it, but I'm thrilled! And keep going downstairs to stare at it! LOL

Love it, love it, love it. I vote for #2.

beverly

Ditto to all the above. #2 is best. Will this be a bed quilt or a wall quilt?

Thanks for the English PP explanation- now I get it - I read some references to using freezer paper and I just skip on by because I knew nothing about the technique.

Do you ever use a drop of Fray Check at the little center points(I think that's the product name). I am concerned about the very same thing in the BOM PP Project I am working on with this forum. I remember asking the instructor for the PP crab block about the seams that were trimmed to 1/8" about the fraying, and she said after the quilt is quilted, it won't be a problem. I dunno...

I smile when I hear seasoned quilters are still thrilled looking at their accomplishments. Your enthusiasm is infectious! This bb quilt is a masterpiece.

Jennifer, another enthusiastic "ditto to all the above." You ARE an artist and that IS a masterpiece. I just shake my head when I see all that you accomplish...while raising a young family as well. You go girl.

Linda

I can't really see the center on #1 very well, so I can't say for sure which one I like best. But #2 is gorgeous. You do fantastic work.
Salijo

Salijo, the center on #1 is just a printed, floral on a dark chocolate background.

MRG~Unless I'm paper piecing a miniature block/quilt (or I guess something with lots of little pieces), then I trim my seams to 1/4". THis is no different than a regularly pieced quilt so I don't worry about fraying. I will admit that there are a few points in here that just barely extend past the seam line. On those occassions, I stitch back & forth a few times in that area for extra security.

Thanks for all the comments.

Thanks Jennifer - I have completed 7 various PP stars - most have 1/4" trimmed seams, but a few of those centers are narrow - I will go back and restitch those areas. My instincts told me I needed to do something. I also press seams open when there are many seams crossing - I know it goes back to clothing construction as I want those seams to lie flat.

Thank you so much for answering my questions and sharing your knowledge with me. I don't mean to take focus away from your beautiful work.

MRG~No problem....I'm excited to support another quilter who loves to paper piece! There don't seem to be many of us out there! LOL