Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!!!

A few posts ago, I reported that I had been prompted to be a pattern tester for Marsha McCloskey and her new book on Feathered Stars.  That I did and worked on it during retreat at Alford Inn.  This was my report to Marsha in the form of an email:
Marsha, Marsha, Marsha--this is what I have been muttering under my breath for the last two days. LOL Also I have begun to drool uncontrolably, I have a twitch in my left eye and all I can seem to say is 1 9/16th---1 9/16th---1 9/16th.

I am just kidding. I have been working on my Feathered Star Block for the last two days at a quilting retreat in Van Alstyne, Texas. It is in an 1880 home with an inhouse Quilt Shop and have really enjoyed myself. I have attached a picture of my block.
I did not find any measurement mistakes anywhere. There is a typo error on the page starting Star Points: Paralleograms---7th line from the top--in () included should by including.
I had trouble rotary cutting the Paralleograms, but have to admit that I didn't read your instructions before hand, thinking that I already knew how to do it. I didn't. It is so important to read instructions. I suggest you put this plainly at the beginning of your book in bold letters! LOL
I did not have a ruler with 1/16 measurements. This was a real problem. I rotary cut the pieces then used the templates to measure them. This worked great. I seemed to be right on, and the block sewed together just fine. I think it would be a great idea to put a sticker on the front of the book suggesting that the quilter purchasing the book buy your new ruler and the point trimmer. They are not a MUST, but a really big HELP! I started to order them and wait until I got them to make the block, but my retreat was really a perfect time to get all of the testing done, so I didn't.
On the diagram/chart page beginning with Feather Star with 25 Patch Center. There are two pieces in the block labeled with S4. A square listed in the chart is S4 and in the Bias-strip Piecing box the 1 9/16 inch x 1 9/16th inch half square is also S4. I suggest you change the letter/number of the half square in the box and on the star diagram.
One more little thing I will mention is that I marked the placement (P1 and RP1) of the paralleograms all the way around the star diagram just to keep me from gettin confused and making a mistake. Also where the pieces looked like they were the same, but are not. You may not want to change this, thinking ones who need this done can do it themselves.
I did not trim the pieces as I did not have a point turner.
Thanks for this opportunity. If I can help you in any other way, please let me know.
Molly

I received Mrs. McCloskey's newsletter and she now has pics up of most of the blocks that were tested.  Mine is included!  Go visit take a look at all the beautiful blocks.  The name of the book is "RIGHT ON"  Feathered Star Quilt Blocks II, The Best of the Grid Based Stars. More Really Hard Blocks that Take a Long Time to Make.

Go HERE to see my block on her site.  It is called a

Feather Star

or click the title of this post for the page where all the blocks are listed.  Enjoy and don't be afraid to tackle a Feathered Star.  They have a bad rap.  They are doable.  If you can stitch with 1/4 in seam consistantly, you can make any block.  Later Gators.

Until Next Time---Molly