Mariner's Compass quilt block
Sixteen points in three lengths around a center circle, set into a background square. Each point and each background wedge is its own template piece, which is why most quilters paper piece it.
Cutting for 12", 14", 16", 18" blocks
| Fabric | Pieces | Cut | 12" block | 14" block | 16" block | 18" block |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| main | Template A | 4 | 1¼" × 4½" | 1⅜" × 5⅛" | 1⅜" × 5¾" | 1½" × 6⅜" |
| background | Template B | 8 | 2⅝" × 4⅝" | 3" × 5¼" | 3⅜" × 5⅞" | 3¾" × 6⅝" |
| main | Template C | 8 | 1¼" × 2¼" | 1⅜" × 2⅝" | 1⅜" × 2⅞" | 1½" × 3⅛" |
| background | Template D | 8 | 2¾" × 4½" | 3⅛" × 5¼" | 3½" × 5⅞" | 3¾" × 6½" |
| accent | Template E | 4 | 1¼" × 3⅜" | 1⅜" × 3⅞" | 1⅜" × 4¼" | 1½" × 4¾" |
| accent | Template F | 1 | 3⅞" × 3⅞" | 4⅜" × 4⅜" | 5" × 5" | 5½" × 5½" |
| main | Template G | 4 | 6½" × 6½" | 7½" × 7½" | 8½" × 8½" | 9½" × 9½" |
Cut sizes include ¼" seam allowances. Template pieces show the rectangle each one needs on the strip.
How to sew a 12" Mariner's Compass block
Print the compass as foundation papers in quarters, or trace the templates for hand piecing. Each quarter has one long point, one medium point, two short points and the background wedges between them.
Piece the short points to their background wedges first, then add the medium and long points, sewing along the printed lines. Join the four quarters and appliqué the center circle.
Set the finished circle into the background corners with a curved seam, matching the long points to the middle of each side. The block measures 12" finished, 12½" with seam allowance.
Templates for the 12" Mariner's Compass block
Print this page at 100% (actual size) and check that the square below measures 1". The solid line is the sewing line and the dashed line is the cutting line, ¼" outside it.
Quilts made with the Mariner's Compass block
Mariner's Compass quilt pattern
Design a quilt with this block
Quiltspiration draws it in your own fabric and gives the cut list for any size.
