Originally Posted by Elisabrat

ok after you sew your blocks together each individual one before you sew them to the next one are you squaring them up? this is your issue I think. Square each block up, after you sew them together so they make the right size for the block your doing in the end ie four patch across down is 3.5 each square. the three across is 4.5 and sew on. even with my stupid quarter inch foot I still have a bit of trimming to make those blocks square no idea why either thought it would solve all my troubles ..

glad you have found the right pattern did you tell the people that there is an error or check to see online if there was a published fixed pattern often they do that put the correct measurements up as a sorry here are the ....online for you to use. frustrating to say the least. pretty pattern however.

Originally Posted by eparys

Practice helps - none of my first stars were what I really hoped they would be. As I did them I learned methods that worked for me. So when I click on your image - it gets blown up. What I see is that the problems are not consistent. By that I mean, one of the valleys of the star points is dead spot on (another two are very close) while the others are off. Also the four patches on the top center are pretty close while the set at the bottom are not and the final sizes are not the same either. What is the final size of these blocks?

I hope I have your question correct. When I do this type of block, I measure each subset. In doing that, I also measure , in the case of the 4patch. if the center seam is actually in the center. On the point of the stars, I measure the entire rectangle and also check for the 1/4" seams at the spot where the sides form the V.

When I assemble the Star Points to the center, I put a pin vertically through the bottom of the V and then through its corresponding seam on the 4 patch where I want it to match. I then place pins on either side- removing the vertical pin afterwards. I use that method sometimes when I sew 4patches to one another as well.

Whn done I also, measure the final blocks, measuring the overall size and the location of the the two vertical seams and horizontal seams to one another and make sure they are where they are supposed to be.

My bet is that your 4patches were not the exact same size after being sewn and that is some cases at the V on the star points, there were instances where you did not have your 1/4" seam. Hope this helps. Keep asking questions

Originally Posted by ameriguat

UGH! I figured it out! You can't align them to each other, which is what I was doing then it was making it short.

Originally Posted by crafterrn1

One other problem is stretching. Do not pull on the block sections as you sew. No hand behind pulling and no death grip on the front pieces. The feed dogs are there to pull the fabric through the foot. Also try leaders and enders. Reference Bonnie Hunter or use small scraps. Also hold the thread and bobbin tails for the first 2 stitches as you sew. The new rulers will help! Enjoy! Luann