An I-Spy Economy Block Quilt

I have exciting news—I have a new nephew! 🧡 And that was just the push I needed to finish not one, but two handmade baby quilts I’ve been working on for him. First up is a fun and colorful I-Spy Economy Block Quilt—a baby-friendly quilt full of color, texture, and playful prints.

Why I Love the Economy Block Quilt for Babies

When my youngest son was born, I made a quilt just like this one, and even though it’s much too small now, it’s still used and loved. A couple of years ago, when my first nephew was born, we made a similar quilt for him—so naturally, we needed to make one for his little brother, too.

• My First Nephew’s Economy Block Quilt

• Economy Block Quilt – Free Tutorial

A Personalized Baby Quilt with Fussy Cut Prints

One of the things I love most about this pattern is how well it works with fussy cut prints. With each baby quilt, I try to give it a unique personality by using different novelty prints. While there are a few repeat fabrics between quilts, each one has its own distinct feel.

These quilts are designed to double as colorful baby playmats, so I focus on including plenty of high-contrast prints and vibrant colors—perfect for catching a little one’s attention and encouraging sensory development.

Adding Meaningful Fabric Choices

There’s also a sentimental layer to each quilt. I try to include fabrics that reflect family favorites or interests:

• A banana print block, because my older nephew absolutely loves bananas 

• A yoga pose print, as a sweet nod to my sister’s love for yoga 

Many of the prints I’ve used have appeared in past projects, which adds an extra layer of meaning and connection

Backing, Binding, and a Little Rainbow Stitching

For the quilt backing, I used a cute animal print I’ve had in my stash for nearly a decade—it was the perfect fit. The binding is a classic Cotton + Steel alphabet print, which adds a fun and slightly elevated finishing touch.

And do you see that rainbow-stitched binding? I’ve had this perle cotton for a couple of years now, and it’s still going strong. I’ll definitely be stocking up on more for future quilts—it adds such a charming detail!

Quilting Details

The quilting is a simple crosshatch design, which adds just the right amount of texture without distracting from the fabric prints. If you’ve worked with economy blocks before, you know the seams can get a little bulky—but I was really impressed with how easily my Janome 6700 handled it. One of my biggest issues with my old Janome was how it struggled at thick seams, but this machine just glides right over them.

Want to Make Your Own Economy Block Quilt?

If you’d like to make your own Economy Block baby quilt, I have a free tutorial in my shop that includes multiple quilt sizes and layout options. It’s a beginner-friendly project and a great way to use fussy cuts, stash fabrics, or novelty prints.

There are so many creative ways to make this block your own—try alternating light and dark fabrics, building a rainbow color palette, or mixing in I-Spy style prints for added fun.

A quick search online or on Instagram will show you just how versatile and popular this quilt block is. Whether you’re making a quilt for a baby gift or a playful toddler playmat, this block is a great place to start.