The Economy Block/Floating Squares

The Economy Block is a square within a square within a square.  It is the perfect place to use your special (aka expensive!) focal fabric in the centre and then build out to give a block twice the size - I guess that was why it got it's name.  However it came about that square in the middle is perfect for fussy cuts.

There are several ways in which it can be constructed, paper piecing, snowballing or adding triangles onto the the squares. There is even a hack to make it from all squares cut on the diagonal if you don't mind losing the points.

Threadbare Creations did several posts on the Economy block including layouts and colour variations

Here, here, here and here

Just Get It Done Quilts gives three methods and three different sizes in this video tutorial

Mustard Fringe creates an 8 inch block

And then there is the "pointless" version from Missouri Star - also called the Exploding Block

ISeeStars also uses the "pointless" technique but takes it out another row

Carol Thelen includes techniques for paper piecing, rotary cutting and also Accuquilt

Teresa Down Under includes sample quilt layouts at the end

Generations Quilt has multiple sizes Economy Quilt Block Tutorial: From 1½” to 10" finished  Economy Quilt Block - 10" finished paper piecing pattern

This free project uses Economy Blocks set on point

From Adventures of a DIY Mom

Cain and Abel Block

Another complicated looking block that is only half square triangles and whole squares.

 

This tutorial is from Patchwork Square.  There is a pdf to download with instructions for a 15 inch block, 10 inch block, 7.5 inch block and 5 inch block; and a couple of layouts for inspiration.

This one is from Amanda Rolfe and makes a super cute 5 inch finished block

This version from Quilters Cache has an example quilt layout on page 2

This block is based upon a 5x5 grid

Other 5x5 blocks

Sister's Choice variation

If you are a fan of the sisters choice block this variation features a centre using quarter square triangles as part of the nine patch in the centre.  This would normally be an Ohio Star block when done on it's own but  when we add the points like in sisters choice it makes a cute star block.

This tutorial is from Patchwork Square and there is a pdf to download for blocks that finish at 15 or 10 inches. There are also a couple of quilt layouts for inspiration.

 This block is based upon a 5x5grid 

Click here to go to the 5x5 master page

Sister's Choice/Churn Dasher

The sisters choice block is a vintage style block based upon a 5x5 grid.  It can be best thought of as a nine patch with star legs.

The colour variations that you can have start with two colours but you can also have a three colour version with the star points in colourway three.

The first tutorial is a written one available for download from Patchwork Square and includes instructions for various finished sizes (15", 10", 7.5" and 5").  Page 2 has a couple of example quilt layouts.

Quilt Codex used the classic two colour version for a block that finishes at 10"

Beth from My Sewing Room went scrap happy using two and a half inch square to give a block that finishes at 10 inches

Candy Cane Ridge has a slightly different variation in terms of colour but it is still the same block.  This time 15 inches finished.

from my sewing room

This version is from Generations Quilt and comes in four sizes

The Maverick quilt uses a variation with the squares on the outside edges the same colour as the background.

This block is based upon a 5x5 grid

There is a slight variation which incorporates more star points here

Click here to go to the 5x5 master page

indiana puzzle/ Indiana - Block

From the chock-a-block blog this block is 12 inches when finished and uses HST's for the outside units and a snowballed square in the middle to give a square in a square.

This version is from Generations Quilt Indiana Puzzle Quilt Block Pattern: 6", 9" and 12"

From Adventures of a DIY Mom

Based upon a 3x3 grid- other 3x3 blocks

Indian Puzzle Quilt Block

 

From Sunrise Quilt Studio - this is a 12 inch finished block and uses squares, HST's and flying geese.

Based upon a 3x3 grid

Mrs Bryon's choice

 

12 inches finished and uses flying geese and squares only.

Based upon a 3x3 grid