Quilt block · Nine-patch · Beginner
Maple Leaf quilt block
A nine-patch leaf: three dark squares, half-square triangle units for its points, a plain corner, and a stem cut across the last square. Also called Autumn Leaf.
What to cut for one block
A 6″ finished block measures 6½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
1 corner square and 6 triangles
- B2 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- A1 square 2½″
- D1 square 2⅜″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
3 squares, 4 triangles and 1 stem
- B2 squares 2⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- A3 squares 2½″
- C1 square 2½″then cut with template C
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Maple Leaf’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 9″ finished block measures 9½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
1 corner square and 6 triangles
- B2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- A1 square 3½″
- D1 square 3⅛″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
3 squares, 4 triangles and 1 stem
- B2 squares 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- A3 squares 3½″
- C1 square 3½″then cut with template C
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Maple Leaf’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
A 12″ finished block measures 12½″ before it’s sewn into a quilt. Each fabric’s yardage is the least that cuts its strips across the width of fabric, with a strip to spare for straightening.
Background · Snow in the picture
1 corner square and 6 triangles
- B2 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- A1 square 4½″
- D1 square 3⅞″cut once on the diagonal
Dark · Navy in the picture
3 squares, 4 triangles and 1 stem
- B2 squares 4⅞″cut once on the diagonal
- A3 squares 4½″
- C1 square 4½″then cut with template C
Templates. Pieces marked “cut with template” aren’t a shape a straight ruler cuts: cut the size given, then trim it to the template’s shape. Quarter Inch prints Maple Leaf’s templates at true size with Quilter.
Worked out by @quarterinch/cutting · ¼″ seams included · strips cut across 42″ of usable width · the letters are the pieces the sewing steps name
How it’s sewn
For the 6″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark B triangle to a Background B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 2½″ (2″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 6½″ (6″ finished).
For the 9″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark B triangle to a Background B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 3½″ (3″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 9½″ (9″ finished).
For the 12″ block. Choose another size above and these steps follow it.
- Make 4 half-square triangle units
Sew a Dark B triangle to a Background B triangle along their long edges. Press toward the Dark. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle.
- Add a corner triangle
Sew the Background D triangle across the corner, along its long edge, and press toward the triangle. Each measures 4½″ (4″ finished).
- Sew the units and pieces into 3 rows
Lay out the units and pieces as in the picture and sew them into 3 rows. Press the seams in row 1 to the left, row 2 to the right, and so on, so they nest when the rows are joined.
- Join the rows
Join the 3 rows, matching and nesting the seams where they meet. Press the long seams open or to one side. The block measures 12½″ (12″ finished).
Blocks like it
More like this: Nine-patch quilt blocks · all quilt blocks
Questions
Short answers.
Something else? A real person replies.
hello@quarterinch.app
Is Maple Leaf the same block as Autumn Leaf?
Usually, yes. Block names vary by region and by book, and the same block is often sold under several. Our library lists Autumn Leaf as other name for this one, so a search for any of them finds it.
What size should I make it?
Its 12 × 12 grid lands on the ⅛″ marks at 6″, 9″ and 12″, so every piece measures with a ruler at all three. It also cuts cleanly at 15″ and 18″. In Quarter Inch you can make it any size, and it says when a cut falls between the lines.
Can I paper piece it?
Yes. It splits into 3 sections (A, B and C), each sewn on its own paper in order and then joined with straight seams. In Quarter Inch, the Foundations tab prints its papers at true size (with Quilter).
Is it a good block for a beginner?
It’s a good block for a beginner: 15 pieces in 4 different shapes and 4 points to match. Nothing in it curves or has to be set in. We work the level out from the block’s own geometry, never by eye.