This is one of my favorite blocks to use up those bonus half square triangles. I am not sure that I am calling this block by its correct name. It is made up of 16 bonus half square triangle units. If you have a bunch of these hanging out in your sewing space, you will absolutely love this block. Grab a design board and let’s go!
Here is the video for the construction of this block.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_5995-1.jpeg)
I am starting my layout in the center. The half square triangle pieces must be made from a distinct light and a distinct dark piece to be effective in this block. Color is not an issue in this scrappy block…only light and dark.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_5996.jpeg)
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_5997.jpeg)
In this center, light fabric points towards the center.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_5998.jpeg)
Next add more squares to create points going left and right. The “frame” is beginning to emerge.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_5999.jpeg)
Add top and bottom pieces to complete the frame.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6001.jpeg)
Add the outside corners to complete the block layout. In this case I used 4 matching corners, just because I could. Scrappy corners would have worked just as well…or better! Sew pieces together in pairs.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6002.jpeg)
Now that you have pairs, lay your pieces out again. (I pressed seams open to reduce bulk.)
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6003.jpeg)
Join pair units into rows of four.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6004.jpeg)
Lay your block out to check for correct placement.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6006.jpeg)
Join two rows to make larger units. Notice that the top and bottom halves are the same layout turned around.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6007.jpeg)
Also notice that this block could be pieced in quadrants. This four patch unit makes up the entire block.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6008.jpeg)
Join your larger units together to complete the block. Ta-done!
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6009.jpeg)
The jewel box block that we did a while ago also has the same “movement” as the frame in the economy block.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_6010.jpeg)
Here is the original version of this block from October in my YouTube series on Scrappy Blocks that use bonus half square triangle pieces. See the video here.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_3822-1024x986.jpeg)
I hope that the cutting charts for this block are not confusing. They are presented in 2 charts…one for just using bonus blocks and the other for construction of half square triangles.
![](http://www.werquilters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Economy-Block-Cutting-Chart-pdf-791x1024.jpg)
I hope you are enjoying this Build a Block series! Enjoy!
Later,
Lorrie