Harvest Sun block attempt

Years ago I ripped this pattern out of a Quilt magazine - no idea what issue or year now, but it has been in my binder of blocks to try. The name is Harvest Sun and it is a 15" block. Every once in awhile I like to make a block just for the sake of making 1 block - old pattern magazines are excellent for this as the templates are provided (pre rotary cutter!).
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But there is something to remember about the old template patterns... you almost always must use a VERY scant 1/4" seam. That would be a seam even narrower than your 1/4" foot. I think that many of the newer rotary cut directions provide for a 1/4" or scant 1/4" seam, but the old patterns are very scant. It is easy to confuse because if you measure the dotted lines for the seam on these old templates - they are 1/4". Goes to show - always pays to make up a sample before cutting/sewing an entire top and then being disappointed.

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If you are so very lucky enough to have a sewing machine where you can change the foot plate - definately switch over to the straight stitch plate vs. the zig zag foot when doing these narrow seams. I know many of the older machines have this option - my machine is newer and doesn't... so basically - it doesn't like to sew a seam this narrow. I am going to call the company and see if maybe I can buy the straight stitch plate as an additional part. Failing that - if you have a newer machine you can push the buttons to nudge the needle over to the right - that works too - BUT everytime you sit down at your machine and turn it on, you have to remember to push the button again - I usually forget and then end up with 1/2 my seams a different size than the others. Grrr. And you still have the problem with the fabric going into the feed dog. But - it is an option.

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Anyway, I forgot all about using VERY scant 1/4" seams and happily set off making up these little units - aren't they cute? Wouldn't this make a GREAT star? Oh, except my finished triangle points are never ever going to match because they are a good 1/4" off at the end. Each. Multiply by 8 points. I guess I always could make one more segment and have a 9 pointed star - ha!

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The good news is that there is a very easy way to check 8 pointed stars BEFORE you do all the work I did. You only need to make up ONE segment in order to double check - come to think of it, you can start checking after just making 1 small component of your segment. It is called that 45 degree angle line on your ruler. Can you see how the bottom of my point is a perfect 45 degree angle (I would hope so because that piece has no seam!) and immediately is off by 1/4" as soon as I started to add segments. It might be a bit hard to see because the lines are wearing off on my ruler - this is my very favorite ruler because it doesn't have 1000 extra lines to confuse my eyes! Look down at the bottom right yellow block and you might be able to faintly see the line - you can click on the photo to enlarge if that is of any help. OK - I definately have to remember this when I finally get around to making a Broken Star quilt, a pattern I have been admiring since just about forever!

All is not lost though - I think that I can probably use these segments for some kind of wonkyish border in some other project - something like the photo below or maybe alternated with a solid fabric.

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AND - it was a good, quick refresher course in 8 pointed stars. I am going to make this block again and hopefully, if I follow all my own good advice, it will come out the way it is supposed to the next time around!