some copiers distort the image a bit - if your master image us correct, are your copies matching it?
some place an "exact" one or two inch square on the pattern as a reference to see if the copies are undustorted.

Hmmmm...all good thoughts. Have to investigate more.

Watson

Several good points (no pun intended) offered in previous posts. I would be tempted to add a 1/4" somewhere, and will also suggest when joining the units - to start sewing from the outside first, to the centre - at least those outer strips will line up better.

Did another, incorporating some of the advice here and it ended up 12 and still cut off those edges.

I also found a blog from a lady that said she had changed the proportions on the block from the book (In her EQ-7), and she put a picture up that showed her outside borders were quite a bit wider and gave a definite 1/4" seam allowance, so maybe I wasn't the only one having trouble?

Also, I've calculated how much fabric I've used so far and it is going to taken and enormous amount to make a quilt.

I surrender and am going to choose a different pattern for these fabrics.

Thanks to everyone who gave such great advice and offered to help.

Watson

I love the way paper piecing looks, but I do not enjoy it. This pattern is similar to the Kindred Pinwheels by Missouri Star. I have also made another pattern which was very similar to your block which was not paper pieced. I wish I could remember the name of the pattern. So don't give up on this beautiful fabric combination, just find a different pattern.

I'm doing a block set that are supposed to be 9 1/2" and everyone I've done have turned out to be exactly nine inches. I don't understand what I'm doing either. So you are not alone!

Are you allowing for the seam allowances on the "outside" of the block?