Quilt for Westley Part II

Paper-piecing done.I’m very pleased with the result.  Before attaching to the background fabric, I removed the paper from the compass – left the outer border intact.It’s a messy job pulling out all those bits of paper. Some snippets stayed in. It will be inside the quilt  and eventually will disintegrate in the wash.My seams got ironed every which way. I’m sure someone will find that to be a problem. I don’t. These adorable pirate ships make a great background. Enough of a contrast with both the compass and the appliquéd name.  I made sure to go with dark fabric for the appliqué – just so it will stand out more.I played with the direction of the boats behind the compass. Don’t really think it was worth the effort, but what is done is done.  Then it was on to the first border. Here is my first try and to be honest, I don’t like it. So out it came. Have I mentioned that my favorite tool is the seam ripper?I like the grey/blue much better. Ties in the outer border of the compass. Right now it is going to be 1″ wide, but I may shrink it down by 1/4″.  We’ll see. Working on a variation of flying geese for the final border. This quilt has been growing organically – I never sketched out any plan.  Even putting the name on the front was a last minute decision. So far I like how it’s coming along.

Originally I thought I might use some smaller compasses as well. I have to learn to restrain myself.  Simple is better. Otherwise it becomes a jumble and not a pretty cohesive quilt.  All I need to do is make more quilts using other stars or compasses.

Shared at WIP Wednesday