Block of the Month

October 1997 - 6" Block

 Maple Leaf

Fabric

The Maple Leaf Block requires two different fabrics with good contrast.

 One focus fabric

 One background fabric


Cutting the fabric

This Block requires:
 one 2 7/8" x 5 3/4" rectangle of the focus fabric
 one 2 7/8" x 5 3/4" rectangle of the background fabric
 four 2 1/2" squares of the focus fabric
 one 2 1/2" square of the background fabric
 two 2" squares of the background fabric

 Piecing the Block

 1) Place the two 2 7/8" x 5 3/4" rectangles with right sides together, lightest of the two fabrics on top. Lightly draw a straight line 2 7/8" from the short edge dividing the rectangle in half and forming two squares. Then draw two diagonal lines through the center of the two squares as shown.

Instead of drawing on your fabric, you can also use Easy Piecing Triangle Templates.

 2) Still holding the two rectangles together, sew a 1/4" away from the diagonal line on both sides.

3) Cut the rectangles apart on the drawn lines creating four half square triangle components. Press the seams to the darker fabric. The finished units should measure 2 1/2".
 4) Take the two 2" background fabric squares and lightly mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of the fabric as shown.
 5) Place one of the 2" white square on top of one of the 2-1/2" focus fabric square, right sides together, and diagonal line placed as shown. Sew on the marked line.

6) Trim 1/4" away from the sewn diagonal line. Press the seam allowance toward the background fabric.
 7) Place the remaining marked 2" background fabric square on the unit completed in Step 6, right sides together, with the diagonal line as shown. Sew on the marked line.

8) Trim 1/4" away from the sewn diagonal line. Press the seam allowance toward the background fabric. This completes the stem unit and should measure 2-1/2" square.
 9) Take the 2-1/2" background fabric square and two of the half triangle squares completed in Step 3 and piece together as shown to complete the top row of the Block. Press the seam allowances toward the outer squares. The finished row should measure 2-1/2" x 6-1/2".
 10) Piece one of the half square trinagles that was completed in Step 3 and two of the 2-1/2" focus fabric squares as shown to complete the middle row of the Maple Leaf Block. Press the seam allowances toward the center square. The finished row should measure 2-1/2" x 6-1/2".
 11) Piece the remaining half square triangle unit from Step 3 together with the 2-1/2" focus fabric square and the stem unit completed in Step 8 as shown. This completed the bottom row of the Block. Press the seam allowances toward outer squares. The finished row should measure 2-1/2" x 6-1/2".
 12) Piece the three rows created in Steps 9, 10, and 11 together as shown to complete the Maple Leaf Block. The finished Block should measure 6-1/2" square which includes a 1/4" seam allowance on all four sides.

WWQP Quilt Coloring Book page for Maple Leaf Block & An Alternative Layout

© Susan E Traudt 1997

 World Wide Quilting Page * Block of the Month