Economy Quilt Block Tutorial

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.