Certain techniques--or rather, teachers of certain techniques--use much more fabric than making a block using a different technique. One that comes to mind is a book called Stars by Magic by Nancy Johnson Szrebo. you made 8 point stars by making 8 blocks, drawing a diagonal line across 4 of them, pairing them with the other 4, sewing on the line, cutting 1/4 inch from the line and throwing the cut offs away.
Quilt patterns take fabric--the more intricate the pattern, the more fabric necessary--before one even gets to the 'oopsie' factor.