When a block just isn't coming out
 

I have been working on this quilt block for sometimes. I have reworked it and re-cut the fabrics and started over and did it all again and still is comes out just not perfect. I have checked my seam allowances, piecing and you name it and the block still comes out wrong. This is not the first time I have made this block. In fact it is a block I have made many times. For the life of me I can't figure why this is just not coming out perfect. I am running out of fabric. This quilt block is for a table runner I am making and I cannot replace the fabric. My only option is to sew this imperfect block into the table runner. The mistake will not be noticeable to me or most likely anyone else. But when sewed in the points on a star will be non-existent. I don't want to give up on the block but I have am getting very frustrated with it. Are there any other options available.

Can you provide the block name or the pattern source, or post a pic of the block? It is difficult to offer suggestions when we don't know or can't see what the issue is.

I am wondering if the instructions have an error in the printing? That is a possibility and sometimes does happen. If you know the finished size maybe you could draw it out on graph paper.

This sounds like you are ending up with something that is a bit too big. I've run into this problem and it was when I'm not lining up my triangles quite right - IE I'm sliding them a tad too far up and that makes the size just a bit wider than it should be. Often I'll make them a tad bigger and then trim down, making sure I've got the seams lining up where they should be, so that means cutting all four sides, not lining up one and trimming off it.

I do a lot with my easy angle/companion angle and also the one used to make half rectangles (don't recall the name).

If using unwashed fabric - and pressing with steam - sometimes one or more of the fabrics will shrink enough to get things "off".

It is the "Star for All Season" by Wendy Gilbert.It is published by Quilt in A Day Publications. It is similar to the Missouri Star. I have made the Missouri Star hundreds of times over the years and have perfected it. But this is got me stymied. The measurements are a bit different. Fabric 1 requires (1) 6" square. Fabric 2 requires (2) 5 1/2" squares and fabric 3 (background) requires (1) 6" square and(4) 4 /12" squares. It should be simple enough to do. I am thinking my brain or vision is off causing the block to be off. Now before I blame the printer or anything like that I had to size things up to make it a proper 12 1/2" raw block so these are my size measurements not hers. Hers are 1/2" smaller all the way around. So when checking things out please consider I am the one who probably made the mistake. I was making this for a very long and wide table and the problem only seems to be in this one block. Others may have been not quite but I can use a scant 1/4" on these. I just finished taking it apart a 3rd time and it is a bit better on the re-make but still not perfect. Maybe I should have stuck with the Missouri Star.

The layout of this block is a standard 3 x 3 so to get a 12" finished block your unit sizes are too large. Surprised that some of them turned out ok. Here is a tute that may help you. Make it with scraps to test it and insure you are getting a consistent block first. Then remake it with your actual fabric. http://www.quilt-lovers-guide.com/ju...#axzz5yfaZ7Db7

Just found another that gives the measurements for 3 different sizes and better instructions for sewing with pics.
https://www.learntoapplique.com/home...r-quilt-block/

Juliasb, I believe your math is off. If you had cut your pieces to her measurements it should have worked out. That star pattern is also on patchwork quilts called star on star. Here is the link https://www.patchworksquare.com/mf/s...uilt-block.pdf If you trim your pieces down they should fit together.

Edited because already answered. I should read before posting. 😄

If it's some sort of star, could you perhaps draw it out and figure a way to make it using paper piecing method. Even if you had to sew 2 or 3 sections together you'd have perfect points exactly where you want them.