When I think of autumn, I think of the vibrant colors of the leaves as they change from green to hues of red, orange, and yellow.
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I remember the crisp air, the smell of apple cider, and the crunch of leaves underfoot.
As a quilter, I’ve always been drawn to the classic maple leaf quilt block. It’s a block that captures the essence of fall, a block that brings back memories of autumns past. Recently, I’ve been working on a Maple Leaf Quilt Block, and I’m thrilled to share the process with you.
The Classic Maple Leaf Quilt Block
The Classic Maple Leaf Quilt Block is a traditional quilt block that has been around for many years. It’s a block that is simple yet visually stunning, a block that can be made in different sizes to suit your needs. For my quilt, I decided to make the block in three different sizes: 6″, 9″, and 12″. These blocks come together quickly and are fun to mass produce!
Materials Needed
The cutting instructions for each block follow a simple, repetitive system:
6″ x 6″ Block
- From leaf fabric cut 2 squares 3″ x 3″, 3 squares 2 ½” x 2 ½”, and one strip 1 ¼” x 4″
- From background fabric cut 3 squares 3″ x 3″, 1 square 2 ½” x 2 ½”
9″ x 9″ Block
- From leaf fabric cut 2 squares 4″ x 4″, 3 squares 3 ½” x 3 ½”, and one strip 1 ¼” x 5″
- From background fabric cut 3 squares 4″ x 4″, 1 square 3 ½” x 3 ½”
12″ x 12″ Block
- From leaf fabric cut 2 squares 5″ x 5″, 3 squares 4 ½” x 4 ½”, and one strip 1 ½” x 7″
- From background fabric cut 3 squares 5″ x 5″, 1 square 4 ½” x 4 ½”
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Half Square Triangle Blocks: Match up two of the larger size leaf squares and background squares and place them right sides together. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the dark square and sew a ¼” seam allowance along both sides of the drawn line. Cut both squares on the drawn diagonal line to get 4 Half Square Triangle blocks. Square-up the HST blocks to the ½” size smaller square than what you started with. Press seams toward the colored leaf fabric.
- Stem Square: Cut remaining Large background square in half on the diagonal to create two triangles. Fold rectangle strip in half vertically and finger press to find the center. Fold triangles in half along the longest edge and finger press to mark the center. Line up center crease of one triangle with center crease on one side of the rectangle and sew in place. Repeat with opposite triangle. Square up block to same size as the remaining block pieces.
- Block Assembly: Lay out remaining squares, half square triangle, and stem square as demonstrated above. Be careful that half square triangle blocks are pointing the right direction. Sew squares together into three rows. Press seams toward the left for rows 1 & 3, and toward the right for row 2. Sew rows together and press seams away from the stem square.
Full Pattern: Click Here
The Classic Maple Leaf Quilt Block is a beautiful block that captures the essence of fall. It’s a block that is simple yet visually stunning, a block that can be made in different sizes to suit your needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, this block is a fun and rewarding project to undertake. So grab your materials, follow the instructions, and start your quilting journey. Happy quilting!
