Tiny Economy Star Quilt Block – Step-by-Step Tutorial (3″ finished)


Mini blocks have a special kind of magic: they look intricate, use only a handful of scraps, and sew up surprisingly fast. This tiny star combines a Square-in-a-Square (Economy) center with four mini flying-geese to create crisp points in a palm-sized package.

The sample uses a soft polka-dot background with a ditsy floral print for contrast. Keep the background calm and let a lively print do the talking—or invert the palette for a bold, modern look. Because the pieces are so small, we’ll oversize and trim to perfection (or you can foundation-paper-piece the center for absolute accuracy).

Mini piecing is easier than it looks if you set yourself up for success: starch your fabric, shorten your stitch length (1.8–2.0 mm), and sew a scant ¼″ seam. Press seams open or to one side consistently so the block stays flat.

Use this block as a charm for a zipper pouch, a coaster, or make a whole set for a miniature sampler. Ready? Let’s sew!


Finished & Unfinished Sizes

  • Block: 3″ finished (3½″ unfinished)
  • Center (economy) unit: 1½″ finished (2″ unfinished)
  • Flying geese (each): ¾″ × 1½″ finished (1¼″ × 2″ unfinished)
  • Corner squares: 1¼″ unfinished

Fabric & Cutting (for one 3″ block)

Background (gray with dots)

  • 4 squares 1¼″ × 1¼″ (outer corners)
  • 8 squares 1¼″ × 1¼″ (sky for geese)

Feature print (floral)

  • 4 rectangles 2″ × 1¼″ (goose rectangles)

Economy center (two options)

  • Option A – Oversized traditional (no paper)
    • Center square (background): 1⅝″
    • Side triangles (feature print): cut two 2⅜″ squares, then cut once diagonally to yield 4 triangles
  • Option B – FPP (recommended for minis)
    • Print or draw a 2″ unfinished Economy-block template. Use background for the center (A1) and feature print for the four sides (A2–A5).

Tip: Lightly starch pieces before cutting for crisp trimming.


Step-by-Step

1) Make the Economy (Square-in-a-Square) Center – 2″ unfinished

Option A – Traditional (oversized & trim):

  1. With the 1⅝″ center square on point, sew one print triangle to each side using ¼″ seams.
  2. Press away from the center after each addition.
  3. Trim the unit to 2″ × 2″ unfinished, keeping the center diamond straight and the points ¼″ from the edges.

Option B – FPP:

  1. Shorten stitch length to ~1.5–1.8 mm.
  2. Piece the center (A1) and add the four print sides (A2–A5) to the template.
  3. Trim on the outer line to 2″ unfinished and remove the paper (or leave it until the block is assembled).

2) Sew Four Tiny Flying-Geese – 1¼″ × 2″ unfinished

  1. Place one 1¼″ background square RST on the left end of a 2″ × 1¼″ print rectangle. Draw a diagonal from top-inner to bottom-outer corner, sew on the line, trim ¼″ away, and press out.
  2. Repeat on the right end with a second background square, mirroring the diagonal so the print forms the “goose.”
  3. Trim the unit to 1¼″ × 2″. Make 4 units total.

3) Assemble the Block

  1. Layout: flying-geese on all four sides of the economy center, geese pointing in; add a 1¼″ background square to each corner.
  2. Sew the top row (square–goose–square) and bottom row; press seams toward the squares.
  3. Sew the center column (goose–economy–goose); press away from the economy center.
  4. Join rows to the center column, nesting seams.
  5. Square to 3½″ unfinished (3″ finished).

Pro Tips for Mini Precision

  • Use a scant ¼″ and trim after each unit.
  • Press with the tip of the iron; avoid stretching bias edges.
  • If points look tight, increase seam allowance ever so slightly on the next unit or trim less aggressively.
  • Chain-piece multiples and keep units clipped together by block to stay organized.