One of my favorite quilts to pull out every Fall is this Modern Maples quilt. I've always been drawn to this classic quilt block and thought it would be fun to share a quick maple leaf quilt block tutorial for making a traditional Maple Leaf quilt block in three different sizes: 6", 9", and 12". These blocks come together quickly and are fun to mass produce! I've also updated this post with a free printable PDF instruction sheet for making all three Maple Leaf quilt block sizes.
Maple Leaf Quilt Block Tutorial
I love how this very traditional Maple Leaf quilt block looks so modern on the larger scale and depending what fabrics you use. For my original quilt I used woven Oakshott Cottons. You can read more about my original Maples quilt here.
These blocks made a great repetitive one-block quilt. Or by making a variety blocks 6" x 6", 9" x 9", or 12" x 12" you could even mix and match them together in one project.
The cutting instructions for each block follow a simple, repetitive system:
OR - Find the Free Printable PDF version of this tutorial here
Maple Leaf Quilt Block Cutting Instructions
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"
Block Assembly
Match up two of the larger size (Small Block - 3" x 3", Medium 4" x 4", Large 5" x 5") leaf squares and background squares and place them right sides together. We are going to use these to make 4 Half Square Triangle blocks.
Draw a diagonal line on the back of the dark square and sew a ¼" seam allowance along both sides of the drawn line.
Rotary 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. (Small: 2 ½" x 2 ½", Medium 3 ½" x 3 ½", Large 4 ½" x 4 ½").
This is my favorite ruler and method for squaring up Half Square Triangle Blocks.
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. (Small block - 2 ½" x 2 ½", Medium block 3 ½" x 3 ½", Large block 4 ½" x 4 ½")
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. It's easy to swing them a different direction. I know this from personal experience. 😉 )
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. And there you go! An adorable Maple Leaf Quilt block, ready to play.
I've had fun making a bunch of them. I originally planned to sew these 6" x 6" blocks together to make a pillow, but now I'm starting to think it might be fun to combine all three-sized blocks together to make a throw quilt. We'll see where this goes!
I still love the modern look of the solids in my original quilt, but this time I decided to play with prints for a different look. For these blocks I used a variety of Lori Holt prints including some from her past Granny Chic collection and Autumn Love.
Lori's new Autumn collection this year would be perfect too! I love how all of Lori's collections continue to play well together year after year.
For my background, I decided to play with a bunch of low-volume prints including Riley Blake's Swiss Dots and Lori's Bee Basics Backgrounds available from Etsy or The Fat Quarter Shop.
I've had fun making a bunch of these Maple Leaf quilt blocks. I originally planned to sew these 6" x 6" blocks together to make a pillow, but now I'm starting to think it might be fun to combine all three-sized blocks together to make a throw quilt. We'll see where this goes!
Click here --> for a Free Printable PDF version of this tutorial here
For another example of a fun, Modern Maples quilt, check out this one by Andy of A Bright Corner.
And if you're looking for more Halloween and Fall sewing and quilting patterns and tutorials, check out this updated list of some of my favorite Fall inspiration.
Have you made a a maple leaf quilt block before? Share in a comment below!
Karee Sowards says
Thank you! You are a talented source of inspiration. Perfect timing!
Rebecca Villa says
So, did you make a throw with varying size leaves? I've had it in my head that I wanted to try that for a couple of years, but have not done it yet. Would love to see a photo if you did make a quilt that way!
Amy says
Not yet - I only just started making the variety of blocks. I'll play with them and definitely share when/if I get a quilt done with a variety of sizes!
Michelle H says
Thanks Amy for this tutorial!! I've always wanted to make this block and I think I will start today's!, love Lori Holts materials too, wish they would reprint every years designs.
Robby Bottom says
Amy I love this tutorial I just found randomly. Is this the same one on your wall? Anyway I love it so it is now on my to do list.
Mary says
This is my third year to make the maple leaf quilt. I have gifted two of them and kept one for myself. Such a fun and easy quilt to make. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Hadassah Miriam Gold says
The Granny Chic Fabric I recognized, I purchased the Charm Pack. Love this block and someday will make this.
Susan says
Unfortunately, I can not download the file. I clicked on the link and it to me to a Google Doc, but when I click on download it just sits there spinning, but never downloading.
Amy says
Well shoot. Let me see if I can figure out another work around.
Rosemary says
I also cannot download the pdf file. The maple leaf blocks are so pretty. I would like to use the pattern.
Amy says
Darn it. I will try and figure out another work around.
Rosemary says
I got it! Can't wait to try it. How much fabric to make one maple leaf square? (I'm still a beginner so figuring out amount is a challenge!)
Camille says
Amy, thank you SO much! Although this is an older post, it is just what I needed to solve a problem I encountered with the J Wecker Frisch Autumn Acres pattern. In the pattern, the stem section of the 6" maple leaf was not made oversize and my completed stem section was 2.25" x 2.25 instead of 2.5" x 2.5". There are 6 maple leaves and when the very first one was not accurate I was a bit panicky. Now I can proceed with confidence that my all the maple leaves will now be accurate. Additionally, I was able to download your wonderful tutorial. Double win! Thank you again.
Katie says
Thank you for making this available. It is a pattern that I have on my wish list 🙂 <3
Amy says
You're welcome!
Angel says
Hello
I was wondering if I could use your Maple Leaf Block pattern at my quilt guild for the ladies to try a fall design. Please we are not sell just wanna make a fun block with the ladies
Thanks
Amy says
Yes. Thank you so much for asking! Enjoy.
Vintage Quilter says
Thank you for the Maple Leaf block! They are so pretty and seem easy to make.
donna says
Love maple leaves.
Linda says
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I love maple leaf blocks and have been too intimidated to try - until now! I'm very interested in the multi-sized option. Adding this to my "someday" planner!