The classic Economy Quilt Block (also sometimes known as Square in Square) is one of my favorite traditional quilt blocks for a controlled scrappy quilt. Here’s a simple tutorial for making an 8″ x 8″ (8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ unfinished) size Economy Quilt Block including a free printable version you can download.
This version is a sweet little Easter mini quilt using Melissa Mortenson’s fabric collection for Riley Blake, Wonderland. (Now out of print.)
These blocks whip up so quickly. I made 9 blocks for this mini quilt, but make 25 and you’ll have a quick baby quilt!
For each 8″ x 8″ finished (8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ unfinished) quilt block you’ll need:
- a center square of 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2 (I choose to fussy cut some of those rabbits for a few of my blocks)
- 2 squares 4″ x 4″ – cut once on the diagonal to make 4 triangles (if you like more room for squaring up, cut 4 1/4″ squares)
- 2 squares 5″ x 5″ – cut once on the diagonal to make 4 triangles (if you like more room for squaring up, cut 5 1/2″ squares)
Center the long sides of two of the triangles from the 4″ x 4″ squares and sew them to opposite sides of the center 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ square. Press seams toward triangles and trim overhanging tabs. Repeat with 2 triangles on remaining sides of the center square. Press seams toward the triangles.
Square up pieced section to 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″. Be careful to square evenly on all four sides.
Repeat the process with the four triangles from the 5″ x 5″ squares. Add to two opposite sides, press seams away from center. Trim tabs and add final triangles to remaining sides. Square up block to 8 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
You can download a free printable version of this Economy Quilt Block Tutorial HERE.
For this little mini quilt I make nine blocks. I cut three strips 2 1/2″ x width of fabric to use for my borders and 3 strips 2 1/2″ x width of fabric for the binding. Backing required just under a yard. My mini quilt finished at 28″ x 28″.
If you’d like to find cutting and piecing instructions for more sizes of Economy Blocks, you can find them available in 6″ x 6″ and 12″ x 12″ sizes here.
See more quilts I’ve made using this tutorial: Pemberley Economy Block quilt and Dorothy’s Journey quilt using fussy-cut prints.
24 Comments
Little Quiltsong
March 17, 2016 at 5:58 amLove this Mini!!
Patricia Cash
March 17, 2016 at 6:35 amSo cute! Thank you.
Phoebe Ingraham
March 17, 2016 at 7:34 amThanks for this tutorial! The measurements are so helpful! I l this fabric and your mini is perfect for it! Happy St. Patrick’s Day too!
Terry
March 17, 2016 at 12:23 pmSuch a sweet quilt. Thanks for the tutorial.
cindy-liveacolorfullife
March 17, 2016 at 1:35 pmThis fabric line has such cute prints in it.
Doris
March 17, 2016 at 5:04 pmSo sweet 🙂
Tracy
March 17, 2016 at 5:32 pmAdorable! Thank you for the tutorial, those blocks look fun and easy 🙂
Karen Seitz
March 17, 2016 at 6:18 pmSew very sweet!
Lora
March 17, 2016 at 11:15 pmA very nice mini for the Easter holiday, Thank you for sharing.
Mary
March 18, 2016 at 7:44 amSuch a sweet mini quilt!
Lara B.
March 18, 2016 at 6:13 pmThat little quilt is darling Amy! What a pretty sight it makes with the tulips too. Thank you for the great tutorial!
Edith Gorzo
March 19, 2016 at 10:35 amYour mini quilt and the fabrics are so adorable.
Amy Smart
March 19, 2016 at 7:26 pmThank you. 🙂
Janne
March 25, 2016 at 12:01 amThanks so much for the tut for this adorable quilt, I’m fairly new to quilting but your tut makes it sound easy to understand. I’ll be making this for a new grand child due in August & can’t wait to choose some fabrics & get started.
Kind regards, Janne
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March 24, 2017 at 3:35 am[…] Via Diary of a Quilter […]
Karen Sowards
January 17, 2020 at 7:43 amI am definietely a 4.5″ square girl, then square it up…! Thank you for the tip, it changed my frown upside down!! 🙂
Amy
January 17, 2020 at 1:54 pmMe too. You’re welcome!
Wendy Benton
January 30, 2020 at 5:35 pmVery cute, it would be nice be able to print it off without the ads showing.
Amy
January 31, 2020 at 5:37 pmWe are on the same wavelength! I just created a printable version and linked to it in the post. You can also find it here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-e2riVUhP7MTwtViTRgHr_sHGMdRLL4l/view?usp=sharing
Carmen Montmarquet
February 1, 2020 at 6:11 amThank you for sharing this totally cute mini! Love the colors in this happy quilt!!
Rebecca Hurst
March 20, 2020 at 6:58 pmI have what may seam like the silliest question ever. I cannot find reference to it in this post… but as my Oma allways says, the only dumb question is the one not asked. What is the seam measurement/ how deep do you sew all the joins.
Thank you in advance from a long time dress sewer, first time quilter.
Amy
March 21, 2020 at 8:05 pmThat is a great question, especially coming from a dressmaking background. All seam allowances are 1/4″ in quilting. You start at one end and sew to the other and you don’t need to backstitch at either end.
Here is more about beginning piecing: https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2010/10/how-to-make-a-quilt.html
Angeleigh
June 2, 2020 at 3:55 pmThis is just so sweet! You’ve completely inspired me to have another go at patchworking with triangles!
I have a piece of fabric I’d like to fussy cut for the centres, but the print would work best with 3″ squares, cut at 3.5″. I’ve been tangled up in Pythagorus trying to work out what size the other two squares of fabric would be, but I can’t do the maths with the seam allowances too. Are you able to give me the measurements or provide a formulae to help? Thank you so very much!
Dana
December 30, 2020 at 4:16 pmHello! I just LOVE your style and fabric selections on your baby lattice and economy block quilts!! I would love to make the economy baby blanket in the same size you did, however as a new quilter,I’m having difficulty knowing how much fabric to purchase for this? Could you tell me how much total yardage is needed to complete such a quilt? Thanks in advance for your time!! 🙂