How to Make a Perfect Maple Leaf Quilt Block

Inside: How to Make a Perfect Maple Leaf Quilt Block

The Maple Leaf Quilt Block is such a timely block! Perfect for fall! It is an old design and likely originated in the late 1800s.

Typically made in two strongly contrasting colors, the block is constructed of 1 light and 3 dark squares and 4 half-square triangles.

The stem is a strip of the dark fabric constructed diagonally within a light square.

While all seasonal colors are appropriate for the Maple Leaf design, autumn red, oranges, and browns are particularly popular. The pieced blocks can be joined with plain blocks or sashing can be used to create a lovely Quilt Top.

This nine-patch quilt block is super easy and looks really great! There are many ways to make a Maple Leaf Quilt Block. Let me show you how I made this version.

How to Make a Perfect Maple Leaf Quilt Block

Maple Leaf Quilt Block – Materials List

Orange Fabric (I used Kona Flame (bright orange) #323)
White Fabric (I used Kona White #1387)

Learn How to Make a Perfect Maple Leaf Quilt Block

Maple Leaf Quilt Block – Supply List

Sewing Machine
Quarter Inch foot for your sewing machine
Aurifil 50 wt. Cotton Thread
Sewing Pins
Fabric Marking tool (Frixion Pen)
Rotary Cutter with sharp blade
Acrylic Ruler
Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Iron & Ironing Board

Maple Leaf Quilt Block – Making the HST’s

White Fabric
- (1) 4.5″ x 4.5″
- (3) 5″ x 5″
Orange Fabric
- (3) 4.5″ x 4.5″
- (2) 5″ x 5″
- (1) 1.5″ x 7″

Finished block size is 12 1/2″ x 12 1/2″

Place (1) White and (1) Orange square with right sides together. Draw a line diagonally corner to corner, using a pencil or Frixion Pen. Mark an outside line, one-quarter inch on each side of your diagonal lines (these will be your sewing lines). Sew along your outside lines. Repeat Step One for remaining (1) White and (1) Orange square.
Cut the square units in half along the middle marked line.
Press seams to one side (the dark side).
Block may be made slightly over-sized and must be trimmed down to 4.5 inches square.

Maple Leaf Quilt Block – Making the Stem Block

Cut the remaining 5″ white square in half, diagonally. Place the Orange 1.5″ x 7″ rectangle against the raw edge (as shown in the picture above). Sew a quarter inch away from the raw edge and press open to the dark side.
Repeat step five with the remaining HST and press to the dark side.
Center the ‘stem’ along your 45* angle on your acrylic ruler and trim this block to 4.5″ square

Maple Leaf Quilt Block – Block Assembly

Arrange your blocks in correct layout (get the Download below!)
Using a quarter inch seam allowance, sew each row and then sew the rows together. Be sure to nest your seams!. Press your seams in the opposite directions.
Join all rows, using a quarter inch seam allowance. Take time to nest your seams. Press your completed block and trim down to 12.5″ square (if necessary).

The block assembly diagrams are available in a FREE downloadable PDF. Please follow the directions below and it will be sent directly to your inbox. Note: Current Subscribers can re-enter their names but won’t be double subscribed.

Watch the Video…

I’ve also created a short video for quick reference.

Here’s a quick project you can make!

Want a nice fall table runner? Just make four blocks and connect them with 2.5″ sashing. Then surround the quilt with 2.5″ sashing. Voila! A fun fall table runner to use year after year!

Don’t you just love this block? It makes me crave a cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte! Yum!

The options for this simple quilt blocks are fun to imagine! You could make several more for an entire quilt or just a couple more for a seasonal Table Runner. The Maple Leaf Quilt Block is a really fun and simple quilt block. I hope you make lots and lots of them!

Happy Quilting!

Psst. I’d love it if you’d Pin this image!