Make this easy and fun maple leaf quilt block.

It's made with half square triangles and squares, plus a stem block.

This is the perfect block for beginner quilters.

MAPLE LEAF QUILT BLOCK (FREE TUTORIAL)

This is the last block in my fall quilt block series.

Go back and check out the tutorials for the striped pumpkin block, the nine patch pumpkin and the acorn quilt block.

This classic quilt block is timeless and perfect for fall quilting.

↓ ↓ ↓ PIN IT ↓ ↓ ↓

maple leaf quilt block pattern with text overlay

↑ ↑ ↑ PIN IT ↑ ↑ ↑

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SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR QUILTING

Below are the basic quilting tools I recommend to get started. For this quilt block, a half square triangle ruler and an Easy Square Jr Ruler is super helpful.

fabric
thread
rotary cutter / cutting mat / straight edge
sewing machine (This is my new machine that I absolutely love!)
sewing scissors
pencil
iron and wool ironing mat
Easy Square Jr Ruler
HST Ruler

For more of my favorite quilting supplies, visit my Amazon storefront.

CUT LIST FOR A 9 INCH MAPLE LEAF BLOCK

Here's the fabric cut list you need to make this block. I used a variety of fall colored fabric.

3) 3 1/2 inch squares - various colors
1) 3 1/2 inch square - white
2) 4 inch square - various colors
1) 4 inch square - white
1) 1 inch x 6 1/2 inch - brown

4 inch squares for the half square triangles.

Note: You will need at least 2 colored and 2 white squares. This will give you 4 HST's. However, I wanted all my leaf points to be different colors. So I used 4 colored and 4 white squares.

cut fabric ready to assemble into a maple leaf quilt block

HOW TO MAKE A SCRAPPY MAPLE LEAF QUILT BLOCK

Let's get started making this simple quilt block.

Below are step-by- step instructions. But you can also watch the video tutorial!

MAKING THE HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

First let's make the half-square triangle units. I repeated this four times because I wanted all the leaf points to be different colors.

collage of how to make half square triangles

Select two 4 inch squares, one white and one colored.

On the white square, draw a diagonal line 1/4 inch from the center. To do this, I place a quilting ruler with the 1/4 inch mark lined up from corner to corner. Then draw a line at the edge of the ruler. Repeat on the other side.

Place the white square on top of the colored square. (The colored square should be facing up.) Sew the pieces together along the two drawn lines.

Cut the square in half diagonally from corner to corner, between the two seams just sewn.

Trim the HST's to 3 1/2 inches.

MAKING THE STEM

Next let's make the stem unit.

collage depicting how to make a maple leaf stem

Select a 4 inch white square of fabric.

Cut the square diagonally from corner to corner. This will create two triangles.

With right sides together, sew the brown stem piece to the longest edge of one of the triangles.

Again with right sides together, sew the other side of the stem to the other triangle. (again on the longest edge)

Press the seams towards the stem.

Now we need to trim the block to be 3 1/2 inches square. See collage above to visualize my explanation.

To do this, I like to use my Easy Square Jr Ruler. I line up the 45 degree marking in the center of the stem, making sure that there is some fabric extending beyond the 3 1/1 inch markings. Then I trim the top half of the block.

Next, flip the block around and line up the 3 1/2 inch markings along the edges of the block. Trim the remaining sides to create a perfect 3 1/2 inch square.

ASSEMBLING THE CLASSIC MAPLE LEAF QUILT BLOCK

Now all that's left is to assemble the block. At this point we will sew it together like any other nine patch.

Layout the block with the stem in the bottom left corner. Add the three colorful squares on both sides and to the corner of the stem.

Add the leaf points. The colorful points on the right should be facing upwards towards the center.

The colorful points on the top should be facing downward to the right.
Lastly add the white square in the upper right corner.

Sew together each row.

Press the seams for the top and bottom rows toward the middle.

Press the seam for the middle row away from the middle.

Sew the rows together nesting the seams as you go.

Press the block flat.