The maple leaf quilt block is a simple nine patch quilt block made from solid squares, half square triangles and a square with a center stripe.
The classic maple leaf quilt block is perfect for making fall home decor items or making enough blocks for a quilt!
The maple leaf quilt block pattern shows off two fabrics, one for the leaf and one for the background. You can use prints or solids, the key is to make sure there is plenty of contrast between the fabrics.
This free quilt block pattern has the information for making the maple leaf quilt block in five (5) finished sizes. Choose 6-inch, 9-inch, 12-inch, 15-inch and 18-inch quilt blocks. No need to download a pdf pattern or worry about foundation paper piecing, our free tutorial is perfect even for beginner quilters.
Here is the layout of the fabric for this block:
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Here is how to cut the fabrics for five (5) different finished block sizes for the maple leaf. This simple quilt block goes together quickly.
From Fabric 1, we’ll make four (4) half square triangles, one (1) solid square and one (1) block that will be for the background of the stem.
From Fabric 2, we’ll make four (4) half square triangles, three (3) solid squares and the horizontal line to make the stem.
How to Make a Maple Leaf Quilt Block
Learn how to make the maple leaf quilt block with this step-by-step tutorial. This is a classic quilt block.
It is a nine-patch format block, made with half square triangles and solid blocks, with one special block for the stem. It is super easy and perfect for beginner quilters.
Enjoy the maple leaf quilt block tutorial!
Materials
- 1/4 yard each of two (2) fabrics, or two (2) fat quarters
- Thread
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- Pressing surface
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Quilter's ruler
- Removable fabric marker; I used a Frixion pen
Instructions
- Start by cutting out your fabrics as outlined above in the fabric calculator.
- Let's do the half square triangles first. There are many methods to make half square triangles. For this tutorial we only need four, so it is easiest to make the half square triangles two at a time method. If you are making a full quilt, I'd recommend making half square triangles eight at a time.
Take a quilter's ruler and mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter fabric for the half square triangle. I'm making a 12-inch finished block, so will use the 4-7/8 squares. This marked line will be the sewing guide line.
- Layer the two (2) squares for your half square triangles, right sides together and sew 1/4-inch on one side of the marked line.
- Turn and sew 1/4-inch on the other side of the marked line.
- TIP: When you are making more than one, chain stitch the blocks. This is when you sew the first line and then feed the next block right after it.
- Cut along the marked line, making the half square triangles.
- Here are the two half square triangles ready to be pressed.
- Press the seams to your preference. Your half square triangles are ready! Place them aside.
Now we'll make the stem block. Take your strip of fabric and the stem background square. I'm using the 5-inch square. Cut it in half diagonally. - Take your small strip of fabric for the stem and place it on one of the cut edges, right sides together, making sure it extends from the corners just a bit. Center it on the diagonal cut. Be careful not to stretch this cut. It is on the bias and can stretch easily.
Put the other side of the square on the opposite side of the strip of fabric, matching centers and right sides together. Sew both seams with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press. Here is the stem block ready to be trimmed.
- Now it is time to trim this to fit into the block. Since I'm making a 12-inch finished quilt block, I need this to be 4-1/2 inches. You want to make sure the stem stays centered in the block. I start by trimming a little off of two sides to making sure the stem stays centered and the corner of the block is the center of the fabric strip used for the stem.
- Then, I like to turn the block around. Using my square quilter's ruler, line the 4-1/2 inch corner point with the ruler and then trim the other two sides. This method makes sure that the stem stays centered.
- All of the elements are now made and time to lay them out to make the maple leaf quilt block!
- Sew together each set of three (3) to form rows.
- Then sew the rows together, making the finished maple leaf block!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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PILOT FriXion Clicker Erasable, Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Color Inks, 10-Pack Pouch (11336) -
Panasonic 360º Freestyle Advanced Ceramic Cordless Iron, Pest Repeller v.57, Teal -
Creative Grids 90 Degree Quarter-Square Triangle Quilt Ruler - CGRT90 -
Omnigrid 6 x 6 w/Angles Quilting Rulers, 6" x 6", Clear -
Omnigrid Non-Slip quilter's Ruler, 6" x 24", Neon Green -
45mm Rotary Cutter -
OLFA 24" x 36" Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat
Ideas for the Maple Leaf Quilt Block
- Use different colors for the leaf in the colors of fall leaves – yellow golds, reds, burgundy and orange to make an autumn leaf perfect for the fall season.
- Make a lap quilt with different sizes of blocks put together. For example, use a few 18-inch blocks, a few 9-inch blocks and scatter some 6-inch and 3-inch blocks to fill in spaces!
- It’s a perfect block to make a table runner for fall with several maple leaf blocks scattered down the runner.
- Make a four block square with maple leaves for a wall quilt for fall.
- Vary the direction of the leaves to make them look like they are blowing in the wind.
- Make a scrappy leaf using darker value scraps for the leaf and lighter color scraps for the background! Put them together to make a seasonal table runner!
Most of all, have fun playing around with the maple leaf quilt pattern!
Browse through more free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy.
