Crafter’s Edge and the Economy Block

The Economy block lives up to it’s name. It is a great block that produces little waste. What’s also really fun about it, is its ability to have a fussy cut center or be completely scrappy.

There are several ways to make an economy block. From traditional piecing to paper piecing to even using a die cutting machine, you cannot go wrong when making this fun block.

I have chosen to get creative with my Crafter’s Edge die cutting machine, the Crossover II. I received their half square triangles as well as their odd and even quarter square triangles to try out.

I also knew I wanted to make a fussy cut quilt ever since I picked up this fun fabric from the store. As soon as I saw it I knew it had fussy cut potential.

The idea of the economy block came about when I saw instructions for a paper piecing one. I looked at the shapes and I instantly saw the qst, hst and a square center.

Here are the dies I used:

I began by cutting out my centers. I used the 2.5″ Crafter’s Edge square die.

I also decided that I would use up some scraps. Every economy block has a different fabric in the first set of triangles.

I then used the 2.5″ quarter square triangle die for the first row of triangles. I love how the dog ears are already cut and they lined up perfectly.

After sewing my first triangle row on I used solid black or white for the second and final row of triangles. I used the 3.5″ half square triangle. It also had the dog ears cut.

Once I attached those my little 4.5″ economy block was complete.

I designed my quilt design in EQ and came up with a unique design that utilized the economy block paired with solid 4.5″ black squares which I also cut using my machine. These squares gave my quilt a star pattern-and who doesn’t LOVE a star!

I colored the quilt with solids and not scrappy so you could get a good visual. You can see my scrappy one below!

Economy Star Quilt

Supplies:

• Approximately 1 yard (or 5 FQ) of black
• Approximately 3/8 (or 2 FQ) yard of white
• Scraps for the first row of qst’s
• Fussy cut center requirements varied
• Border- 7/8 yard (the estimate for this fabric assumes that long strips are pieced)

Total Blocks Needed:

• 24 economy blocks with white outer triangles
• 50 economy blocks with black outer triangles
• 25 4.5″ solid black squares
• The border measures 3.5″ wide all the way around

Happy Sewing!

Starting to bloom by choosing JOY ~ Julia