PP problem with finished size
 

I am in a boomerang group and I chose to make a block from QuiltersCasche for one of the boom members. I choose the block called "Checkerpins". It's a gorgeous block with a paper pieced pin-wheel in the center and 6 patch checkerboard in each of the corners (which is strip pieced). Here's a link to the pattern.

http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CheckerpinsBlock.html

I LOVE the block!!

Because I've never made this block, and I don't have a whole lot of experience paper piecing, I decided to make a practice block first - wise choice! My block came out just shy of 12.5" - too much shy for my comfort, especially since I'm sending it to someone else.

I remember reading a piece of advice that Hollice gave. I'll paraphrase - when something doesn't work, find out WHY.

I had measured every step of the way so I was perplexed as to why the finished product was off. This morning I de-constructed the block into it's 4 sections, measured them, and all of them measured the correct 6.5".

I know why now.

I sew a scant 1/4" seam. I set my needle to the right and then measure the seam after it is sewn and ironed. When you join two blocks and one of them was PP and you sew on the PP seam line ... you lose that 'scant' seam. So I reconstructed the 4 sections and used my scant 1/4" seam and the block is now 12.5" ... but I discovered a new problem.

If you DON'T sew on the 1/4" seam line - you lose your points in the center of the block!!!!

How can I fix this??? Will it work if I add a smidge to the long straight edge of the PP pinwheel block which will make that piece a bit longer and allow me to use the 1/4" seam marked on the pointed edge of the block?? I think it might ...

Oh. Here's a pic of the finished block. The size is correct, but I've lost the points in the center.

I see nothing wrong with this block.

Wow, that block is beautiful. I see nothing wrong with it. The points are perfect from here.

Because I had to resize the photo - you can't see the center very well. Here's a close up of the center - I have huge gaps where the points should meet.

I don't see a "huge gap", I see a "beautiful block".
We are our own worst critics.

I see what you mean by the points not matching perfect, It is a pretty block, and I have seen worse gaps that people don't notice, but if it bothers you now, it will always bother you. can you paper piecs normal, than make pieces around it just a hair larger? I have noticed with some of my older rulers when I cut along the edge and don't keep my rotery cutter straight up and down (sometimes it leanes to one side just a bit) my cut can be off just a hair, using small pieces with lots of seams and those hairs can add up. Good luck

One thing I notice from the pattern to the finished block did you print at the correct size? What I am asking is did you check the 1 inch square to see that it is a 1 inch square? If the paper piecing is off then it could set the block off. Also this sounds strange but where do you place your ruler on your fabric. Do you have the edge of the ruler on the fabric so you can see the fabric at the breaks in the ruler spacing? If not that will change the size as well. Also I would try a thinner weight thread like a 60 weight for the paper piecing and regular piecing. It could just make a difference. As well as sewing just touching the outside of the paper piecing line will help as well. Let me know if any of these things helped! Luann in CT

http://www.ctpubblog.com/2009/10/01/...erfect-points/
try this

Thanks Ladies ...

yes, I had checked to make sure the PP printed to the correct size - I checked both the 1" test square and the size of the whole block (both on paper and after piecing).

I'm convinced that the problem is that I'm using one method (scant 1/4" seams) on one half, and another method (true 1/4" seams) on the other half ... it's not going to work! I suspect that this is always a problem when marrying a PP block to a block made with scant seams. DUH!

I'm making another block right now. I've made the PP unit just a smidge larger. Will see if this works.

I see what you mean but I think it is exceptable. Very pretty block!