Economy blocks frustration...
04-23-2024, 06:54 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NW Pennsylvania
Posts: 823
Economy blocks frustration...
I wanted something simple to "just sew" and not have to think too much and I watched a video the other day that she was doing the economy block, so I thought that would be a good one to do. HUH!
I'm doing the exact same thing she was doing as far as using a 3" square for the center; (2) 2 1/2" squares cut on the diagonal for the first round; and (2) 3 1/2" squares cut diagonally for the second round. The block should measure 5 1/2" unfinished.
I always check my 1/4" before I sew anything and use a guide on my bed. I can make perfect star points all day long, but for the life of me, I can't do these simple blocks without the points being chopped off. What am I doing wrong??
I'm doing the exact same thing she was doing as far as using a 3" square for the center; (2) 2 1/2" squares cut on the diagonal for the first round; and (2) 3 1/2" squares cut diagonally for the second round. The block should measure 5 1/2" unfinished.
I always check my 1/4" before I sew anything and use a guide on my bed. I can make perfect star points all day long, but for the life of me, I can't do these simple blocks without the points being chopped off. What am I doing wrong??
04-23-2024, 08:40 AM
#3
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
Posts: 4,211
These blocks are not so easy to get right. Even just doing one square in a square block usually ends up wonky for me, which is why I use Deb Tucker's trim-down tool (for which she has an economy block instruction sheet available). If the points are the problem, how are you pinning the blocks as you sew them?
04-23-2024, 10:05 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NW Pennsylvania
Posts: 823
Originally Posted by joe'smom
These blocks are not so easy to get right. Even just doing one square in a square block usually ends up wonky for me, which is why I use Deb Tucker's trim-down tool (for which she has an economy block instruction sheet available). If the points are the problem, how are you pinning the blocks as you sew them?
04-23-2024, 10:42 AM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 9,096
a scant 1/4" will help but if that's the block method i think it is, the "economy" is in less fuss during construction.
easier to make, but the method does not result in pointy points.
they look fine. just not what you expected. ;-)
easier to make, but the method does not result in pointy points.
they look fine. just not what you expected. ;-)
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04-23-2024, 11:24 AM
#8
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 8,056
If you want exact you could try the paper piecing method for a 7” block.
https://www.quilterscache.com/E/EconomyBlock.html
https://www.quilterscache.com/E/EconomyBlock.html
04-23-2024, 09:02 PM
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,342
It looks like you are making a block called an Economy Block but want the "set in Square in a Square". For the set-in you need the triangles to be larger than the squares. There is a good YouTube Video by Penny Haren's Basic Block Videos,
'Setting a Square on Point'. It's only 7 minutes but very good.
'Setting a Square on Point'. It's only 7 minutes but very good.
