February Block Lotto: I Love Economy Blocks

Due: Our next in-person event, in April

Technique: Fussy-cutting, piecing, and trimming blocks

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

This month, we're making Economy blocks, with a central square that represents something you love. 

I absolutely love Economy blocks (sometimes called Square in a Square). They're a traditional block that's easily transformed into something more modern by your choice of fabrics, and they provide a great opportunity for highlighting special fabrics.

For this month's block, pick something special for the center square of the block: fabric that depicts something you love, something that reminds you of a loved one, your favourite colour, a treasured fabric scrap, etc.

Fabrics and cutting

Central square: Cut a 4.5" square. When fussy cutting, it can help to use tape to mark a 4.5" square on a clear ruler or make a template so that you can plan how to cut the square. Remember that 1/4" on each side of the square will be in the seam allowance.

Inner (first round) triangles: Cut 2 squares, each 4-1/4". Then cut the squares in half diagonally.

Outer (second round) triangles: Cut 2 squares, each 5-1/2". Then cut the squares in half diagonally.

Steps

1. Mark the center of each side of the square, and the long (cut) side of the triangles.
   
2. Center the long edge of one of the first round triangles with one edge of the square, and stitch. Be careful because the triangles are cut on the bias, so they can be a bit wiggly/stretchy. 
3. Repeat with the opposite side. 
4. Press seams towards the triangles. 
   
5. Trim the extra flaps of the triangles so that they're even with the centre square.
    
6. Repeat steps 2-4 with the other two inner triangles.
7. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4" all around the block. Measure seam allowance from the point on the inner square.  
    
8. Repeat the same steps to attach the outer set of triangles, lining up the centre of the long edge of the triangle with the point of the inner square.  
   
9. Trim the block so that the outer seam allowance is 1/4". The block should be 8.5 x 8.5".
   
   

Additional resources

• Catbird Quilt Studio: Economy Block ANY Size
• Red Pepper Quilts Economy Block Tutorial
• Just Get It Done Quilts Economy Block Video
• Ottawa Modern Quilt Guild instructions from November 2018

January Block Lotto: Play in the Snow!

Due: Our next in-person event, in April 

Technique: Improv 

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

This month, let’s have some fun with improvisational blocks! You can use improv piecing or applique. This goal of this month is to experiment and have fun.

If you’d like to learn more about improv, the MQG site has this great Improv Resource Playlist (requires member login).

A few constraints to give the blocks some harmony:

• Take inspiration from winter, though you don’t need to make a literal representation of something wintery. Maybe take inspiration from a snowflake, a winter storm, an icy river - whatever you like.
• Keep the colours limited to white and cool shades of blue (leave the tropical aqua tones for warmer weather!)
• The blocks you turn in should be 8.5 x 8.5”, or slightly bigger. With improv, it’s often easier to aim for a slightly bigger block and then trim it down. 

PIECED (Inset) CIRCLES

Due to popular demand from our Mon Nov 25, 2025 Skill Share, here are the instructions for pieced inset circles per technique from Susan Madu of Modern Blended Quilts.  We can't wait to see all of your circles at the next sew and share😉!

Modern Blended Quilts Inset Circles

Material required:

• Freezer paper

• One sheet of parchment paper 

• Glue stick

• Frame fabric

• Circle fabric

Make Template:

• To make a stiff template you will need two sheets of freezer paper of the same dimension.  Freezer paper should be at least 1.5” - 2” larger than the intended circle

• Trace or photocopy a circle template on the dull side of one sheet of freezer paper

• Layer in this order: parchment (bottom), blank freezer paper shiny side down, template freezer paper shiny side down

• Press to fuse, cool, and cut out the inner circle.

Attach Template to Frame Fabric:

• On an ironing surface, place frame fabric wrong side up.

• Position the template shiny side down and press to adhere.

Make the Circle Opening: 

• Cut out the circle opening, leaving a 3/8” seam allowance.

• Clip the seam allowance at 1⁄4” intervals, stopping 1/8” from the template.

• Working on a quarter of the opening at a time, fold and glue all the tabs onto the inside of the opening in the template.

• Center circle fabric right side down over opening and press to dry glue.

Sew the Inset Circle:

• Shorten stitch length to 2.0

• With fabric right side up, lift the frame fabric from the template and stitch just a smidgen beside the template. Do not backstitch but stitch a few stitches past the start. 

• Press on the right side.

• Trim circle fabric seam allowance to 1⁄4”. Working from the right side, gently release the tabs from the template.

• Press both sides. Trim block to desired size.