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Nothing is Wasted with our Economy Quilt Block Pattern
From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library
This post contains affiliate links for which I receive compensation.
In this Economy quilt block tutorial you'll find step-by-step paperpiecing instructions with free pattern downloads in four sizes.
I prefer paperpiecing in this instance for its accuracy.
Since half the seams are on the diagonal, any deviation from a quarter inch seam is multiplied by 40%.
With a paper pattern all you need to concern yourself with is stitching on the line.
The Economy quilt block is used as a unit in the construction of other patchwork designs including:
 Around the Corner |
 South Carolina Star | |
 Tea Party |
General Instructions
Reduce your stitch length to 15-18 stitches per inch for paperpiecing. This reduced stitch length perforates the paper more making its removal at the end easier.
Install an open toe appliqué foot if you have one. It makes it easier to see the line you're sewing on.
When you are instructed to press, first press the pieced unit flat to set the seam. Then open the patch, pressing from the front.
Check out our Best Technique for Pressing Quilt Blocks. It works for paperpiecing, too!
Step 1: Download and print Economy patterns
You'll need the most current version of Adobe installed on your computer to download the pattern.
On the Adobe Print Menu page, under 'Page Size and Handling' set 'Custom Scale' to 100% before printing for accurate results. Click here to see what it looks like on the Print Menu page.
After printing, use the 1" square graphic on the printed pages to confirm they are printed accurately.
Choose your finished block size from the list below:
- 4"
Not sure which paper to use?
Take a look at my review of several of the most popular brands available to us quilters on the market.
You want a super-easy paper to tear away—less stress on the stitches.
The newest quilt fabrics to tickle your fancy...
Click the images below to see the full collection. We share any commercial and/or free patterns that showcase them, too. (For inspiration, of course!)
Step 2: Cut patches for an Economy block
Economy designSample Size: 6" finished / 6½" unfinished
Grid: 4x4
Attribution: Carrie Hall and Rose Kretsinger
AKA: Hour Glass (Ladies Art Company), This and That (KC Star), Thrift Block (Nancy Cabot)
Design Type: Square in a Square
The first patch is cut to its exact size. The rest of the patches are over-sized to make their placement virtually foolproof. This minimizes ripping and saves time.
I suggest that you make a couple of blocks to test whether these sizes work for you, then make any necessary adjustments and note those changes. Store this customized cutting chart for future reference.
 | Cutting Chart for an~ Paperpiecing ~ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patch | Fabric | Qty | Finished Block Size | Sub Cut | |||
| 2" | 3" | 4" | 6" | ||||
| 1 | A | 1 | 1½" x 1½" | 2" x 2" | 2½" x 2½" | 3½" x 3½" | none |
| 2 | B | 2 | 1⅝" x 1⅝" | 2" x 2" | 2⅜" x 2⅜" | 3½" x 3½" |  |
| 3 | C | 2 | 2⅜" x 2⅜" | 2⅞" x 2⅞" | 3⅜" x 3⅜" | 4⅜" x 4⅜" | |
| Unfinished Block Size | 2½" | 3½" | 4½" | 6½" | na | ||
After cutting, the pieces look like this:
Step 3: Assemble the Economy quilt block
General Sewing Machine Setup for Paperpiecing
- Reduce your stitch length to 16–20 stitches per inch (1.3-1.6 mm). This perforates the paper and stabilizes the seam when you remove the pattern. [Learn more about stitch length here.]
- Reduce your machine's speed or just plain slow down. Sew only as fast as you can stay on the stitching lines.
- Install an open toe appliqué foot (sometimes called an 'embroidery' or 'satin stitch' foot) if you have one (it's easier to see where you're stitching with one installed).
- Use a larger needle (90/14) if you have problems removing the pattern.
- If your machine has a needle stop up, use it. The stitching goes faster when you don't have to lift the presser foot with every seam.
- As you stitch each seam, start and stop a generous 1/4” before and after the solid stitching lines. ALWAYS. Future lines of stitching secure the ends.
After adding each patch, press the unit as it was sewn to set the seam and then open. The SA is automatically pressed towards the last patch added.
Before adding the next patch, take a look to make sure the one you just added covers the space plus seam allowance that it is supposed to.
Steam is optional and usually curls the pattern.
If that bothers you, don't use steam. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't.
It truly depends on my mood.
Remember, as you follow this paper piecing tutorial, the printed and the fabric sides of this block are mirror-images of each other.
At last!
Let's sew!
Cut the Economy unit from the page you downloaded. A rough cut will do, just cut outside the dotted line that marks the unfinished edge. You will trim to size in the last step.
With a just a dab of Elmer's Glue Stick—the one that goes on purple and dries clear—position #1 on the unprinted side of the page. Use the dashed lines to help position it perfectly.
Now align the long bias edge of #2 triangle with one side of patch #1. Stitch from the printed side, starting before and ending after the solid stitching line. These extra stitches are secured with subsequent lines of stitching.
The dashed lines you see are the placement lines for Patch #1.
The red arrows indicate approximately where to start and stop stitching.Repeat for the opposite side of #1.
Construction Note:
For smaller block sizes, sometimes there isn't enough room to add a patch to a PAIR of opposite sides in the same sitting. In that case, add the patches one at a time, pressing in between each.
Press.
Trim the dog ears with a scissor.
Repeat for the remaining two sides.
And press.
At this point, I like to clean up my edges—remember the patches were cut over-sized.
Simply line up the edge of your ruler with the solid stitching line, creasing the paper with your fingers to help fold it back on the seam line.
Now align the 1/4" mark with the folded edge and cut. This establishes your seam allowance and perfect placement for the next patch.
And trim with your rotary cutter...
...and repeat for all four sides. You're halfway there!
With RST, line up the long bias edge of a #3 triangle with one side of the pieced unit. Stitch the seam from the printed side, again starting and stopping a quarter inch off the solid line.
Repeat for the opposite side.
Trim the dog ears and press.
Add the final set of triangles in the same manner and press.
Step 4: Trim your Economy quilt block
Line up the quarter inch mark of your ruler with the solid finished edge of your block.
Trim with a rotary cutter.
I find this much easier to do than trying to line up the edge of my ruler with the dashed-line that marks the unfinished size of the block. Cutting is more accurate.
After all four sides are trimmed and the paper removed, this is your finished Economy quilt block!
Our Economy block is ready for a quiltSince I first wrote this Economy quilt block tutorial...
...a new product has come out on the market.
Pre-printed paper piecing patterns (that's a mouthful!) in 2", 3", 4", 6" and 10" finished sizes are available for you to print for free from this website. Both include 42 copies of the Economy block.
Lori Holt has created pads of the 6" and a 12" version that isn't included here. Click on either image below to learn more about the pads, read reviews, and/or purchase if you're interested.
You'll also find these papers on Amazon.com.
Same name, different block...
Several others go by the name 'Economy' but their look is totally different.
The center square is split one more time in this one.
This is reminiscent of the Whirlwind quilt block, except this one has y-seams and just 'half' quarter square triangles.
This version of the Economy quilt block is drafted as an uneven nine patch. Square in a square blocks are used a dozen times in its construction.
Click here to learn how to paperpiece square in a square units and/or download paperpiecing patterns for them in 7 different sizes.
Ready for More Blocks?
There's no need to save up for more quilt block patterns! We've got plenty of free ones to keep you busy!
Click here and go to our Quilt Block Pattern Library to find one for your next quilting creation!
What about a different quilt block?
For a list of all the 220+ quilt block patterns on this site, start here.
If you know the name of the block, shorten your search by using these links:
Click here if you're looking for blocks with at least some paper piecing.
Click here if you're looking for the basic building blocks of quilting, i.e., Flying Geese, half square triangles, quarter square triangles, etc., along with several techniques to make each.
And finally, use these links to find blocks in these finished sizes:
For even more blocks to make...
For you, are quilt block designs like potato chips...
...you can't have just one?!!
Check the amazing resources I rely on for all the quilt block designs you see on this website.
To see if they're worthy of a spot in YOUR quilting library, CLICK HERE.
My
Favorite Paper
Piecing Tools
For a complete list of all the tools I personally use, click here to read 'The Right Tools Make Your Job Easier', part of my series called, "Essential Paper Piecing Skills".
The serrated edge on this short-bladed scissor make it easy to trim seam allowances—my all-time favorite scissor.
By Julie Baird
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