Secret to Perfect Scrappy Economy Blocks
Learn How to Make Scrappy Economy Blocks the Easy Way!
This is a beginner-friendly quilting tutorial using fabric scraps, stash, and fat quarters. I will walk you through this quilt block tutorial step-by-step, including how to sandwich it for heat-proofing to safely include in your holiday table-scape.
This lovely little 16×24-inch quilt begins with a simple 4-patch. Then triangles are added to create a square-in-a-square, setting the 4-patch on point. Add more triangles and voila, you’ve made a beautiful economy block. Once you learn how to make scrappy economy blocks, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made one sooner.
With your economy block made, you’re ready to add some strips that will finish this simple block into a fabulous Super-Sized Hot Pad! There’s no fussy cutting or sewing, just simple blocks easily sewn together for a fantastic finish!
Get the full Super-Sized Economy Block Hot Pad Pattern
with all cutting dimensions done for you.
⭐Pattern Sale⭐Super-Sized Economy Block Quilted Hot Pad
How to Make a Super-Sized Economy Block Hot Pad
Now that you understand basics of how to make scrappy economy blocks, you’ll be looking for more ways to quilt with them. The beauty is that these wonderful blocks are beginner-friendly, so they are simple to make. Plus they are easily made with your fabric scraps and that saves you money.
An interesting fact about the economy block is that it’s popularity dates back to the 1930’s. It’s history actually dates back into the 1800’s but it was during the depression that it became a well-known quilt block.
During the American Depression, money could barely buy food. Most quilts during those years were made only with what was on hand. That meant using old clothing, blankets, and other available worn textiles. Women would swap pieces with each other to brighten up their quilts with more colors. So keep in mind as you make this quilt block, you’re keeping a bit of history alive. That can also be said about so many other quilt blocks, too.
Scrappy Economy Quilt Block Tutorial
How to Make A Scrappy Economy Block
This tutorial walks you through making a 16×24-inch super-sized hot pad using your existing fabric scraps and fat quarters. It’s a beginner quilting tutorial designed to help you utilize your stash while creating something beautiful and functional for your home. We start with a simple 4-patch block. The first step is to add triangles which creates a square-in-a-square block. This puts the 4-patch block on point. You could actually stop here and make lots of these blocks for a very fun scrappy quilt.
We’ll be taking it another step further to make it into an economy block. That means four more triangles are added around the block without any fussy cutting. As you can see the economy block is simply a larger version of the square-in-a-square. Once sewn together this block looks quite intricate, but only you will know just how easy it is to make. This too is another block to use on its own for a scrappy quilt. So many options!
The economy block is the center of this super-sized hot pad. Then additional triangles and strips are added to create the rectangle we’re looking for. Don’t let the sight of triangles scare you because these are much different and easier than regular Half Square Triangles. Check out the video tutorial and see what I mean.
The economy quilt block technique is efficient, economical, and produces consistent results every time you sew. Once you see what a breeze it is to make this block, you may find these become a ‘go-to’ block for future quilts.
Hot Pad Fabric Choices
You will want to use 100% cotton fabrics for these hot pads. Any polyester or other synthetics may likely melt and create a mess under a very hot pan. The Hoffman Bali Batik Fabrics used in this little quilt work perfectly for autumn. You can see both my Christmas and Spring variations of this pattern here: How to Make a Scrappy Christmas Hot Pad. It’s amazing just how versatile this quilt block can be with any fabrics you may have on hand.
You can also read a more detailed How to Make an Economy Block post with step-by-step illustrations.
How to Assemble A Super-Sized Economy Block Hot Pad
How to Stack A Heat-Resistant Hot Pad Quilt Sandwich
There will be five layers in the quilt sandwich for this hot pad. To ensure that it is heat-resistant, there needs to be a heat-insulating layer in the middle. The product used is Insul-Bright which can be found in many quilt shops and sewing centers. This is the same product used in making pot holders, placemats, and bowl cozies. Keep in mind any project made using this product cannot go in the microwave. There are metal threads going though the heat-resistant layer that absorbs the heat when under a hot pan, but that also makes it incompatible with microwave ovens.
Additionally, to absorb any steam or condensation caused by the heat, there needs to be a layer of cotton batting on top and bottom. These three layers are placed between the quilt top and backing. Then baste the layers together and you’re ready to quilt. See how easy this is?!
Odif 505 Temporary Spray Fabric Adhesive is what I use to baste all my quilts. This is a product I’ve basted with for many years with great success. You can see How to Spray Baste Your Quilt in this article.
How to Quilt and Bind An Economy Block Quilt
Quilting an Economy Block
There is no specific quilting design for an economy block quilt. What makes it easy to quilt are the diagonal lines around the block. For this quilting project I began by quilting the center 4-patch as demonstrated in the video above. From there I quilted each set of triangles that form the next square. Then I quilted the corners to the outer edges by following the diagonal seams. It turned out great!
For my first economy block hot pad, I also began in the center by quilting around the 4-patch. Then I quilted around the economy block from edge to edge following the diagonal strip seams . This gave me a nice diagonal line that required no marking. It’s a simple walking foot quilting design that emphasizes the angles of the quilt block.
Binding an Economy Block Hot Pad
Each of these little quilts have a simple, basic binding. The 2.5-inch wide binding strip is a must! This 5-layer quilt sandwich can be quite thick and will need every bit of that width to wrap around the quilt edges. Once the binding is attached your Gorgeous Super-Sized Economy Block Hot Pad is finished! Enjoy sharing your meals on your beautiful new tablescape.
Happy Quilting, Lea Louise
