The minute Kasada by Crystal Manning for Moda Fabrics I knew I wanted to do something that showcased the entire collection, and wanted to avoid using supplemental fabric. I chose to make a throw with square in a square blocks, also known as economy blocks. Here is how it turned out:

I used Moda Grunge Dynasty for the back and the binding as I wanted to dial up the green and show off the quilting. Plus, I include some grunge in almost every quilt. 🙂 I quilted it with Fusion by Urban Elementz stitched to 15 inches and used King Tut De Nile variegated thread. I wanted to see texture on top, so I resisted my original urge to use lime green or neon pink. Here is a shot of the quilting from the back.

Economy blocks are one of the more versatile blocks, quick and simple to construct but delivering great visual impact and highlighting the fabric. Economy blocks first came to popularity during the Great Depression and were often made with scraps and for the purpose of keeping the family warm. They are a great block to make as you finish projects, using scraps and then saving finished blocks for projects later.

My Kasada quilt finished to 47″ x 60″ and is a comfortable lap quilt. It would make an awesome toddler quilt or great wall hanging. It could easily be made larger, but for me, I don’t have a lot of wall space at the shop. 🙂

To make the Kasada quilt shown you will make (12) 12.5″ economy blocks. The full fabric list is:

From each fat quarter cut (1) square that is 6.5″ x 6.5″, (2) squares that are 5.5″ x 5.5″ and (2) squares that are 7.5″ x 7.5″. Cut each of the 5.5″ and 7.5″ square diagonal to create 4 triangles of each. These pieces will make 12.5″ blocks.

To make your economy blocks, sew a smaller triangle to alternate sides of a different fabric square. Press open. Sew the remaining two smaller triangles to the other sides of the center square. Press open.

Next sew a different fabric larger triangle to alternate sides of the square. Press open. Sew the remaining two larger triangles to the other sides of the center square. Press open. I mixed and matched my fabrics and made 13 blocks so I could pick which 12 to use when I laid them out.

It is very important at this point to square your block to 12.5″. Arrange your blocks into 4 rows of 3 and sew them together. Then, add a 1.5″ inner border to the top, bottom and sides, and a 5″ outer border to the top, bottom and sides. And just like that you are done. This quilt can be made in an afternoon, and when you are working with fabric is pretty as this it is hard to put it down.

These blocks are so much fun to make that I did another with a 6.5″ economy block as the center square and added the outer triangles to finish it at 12.5″. I might keep adding to it to see how it looks. The possibilities are endless and if you use different fabrics for the outer triangles you can create awesome secondary patterns.

Have fun and if you make some of these please share photos!!!