Have you ever wanted to create a beautiful Autumn quilt? Why not try sewing a Maple Leaf quilt block for your quilt? Learn how to make these fun and unique quilt blocks with our free tutorial.

gray and blue maple leaf quilt block on white cutting mat

Maple Leaf quilt blocks are classic, traditional quilt blocks. They are often associated with the autumn season due to their representation of the iconic maple leaf.

Table of Contents

Here’s a breakdown of what makes Maple Leaf quilt blocks special!

colorful quilt blocks on white cutting mat

(a Maple Leaf Quilt Block and a Maple Star Quilt Block)

Elements of a Traditional Maple Leaf Quilt Block

Basic Structure: The Maple Leaf quilt block is typically square and consists of smaller squares and triangles arranged to resemble maple leaves.

Components: The block is generally made up of three squares (usually representing the base of the leaf), a double “snowballed” square (forming the “stem” of the leaf), and half-square triangles (HSTs) that create the pointed edges of the leaf.

Canadian Symbol: The maple leaf is a significant symbol in Canada, often representing the country as a whole. As such, the Maple Leaf quilt block can also be seen in quilts that celebrate Canadian heritage.

You don’t have to use Maple Leaf blocks only for autumnal quilts. I stitched my example block in blues and grays!

Maple Leaf Quilt Block Pattern for a 12 inch Quilt Block

Melissa Mortenson

Create a traditional Maple Leaf quilt block with our free pattern.

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supplies

1 Fat Quarter Leaf Fabric
1 Fat Quarter Background Fabric

Instructions

Cutting:

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″

Step One: Create Half Square Triangles

Using one 5” x 5” piece of leaf fabric and one 5” x 5” piece of background fabric, create two half-square triangle blocks.
Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the background fabric piece. Place this piece, right sides facing, with one of the 5” x 5” leaf fabric pieces.
Sew 1/4” on each side of the drawn line.
Cut along the drawn line. Trim and square up to 4 1/2” x 4 1/2”.
Repeat so that you have four sewn half-square triangle blocks.

Step Two: Stem Square

Cut the remaining 5” x 5” square in half on the diagonal to create two triangles.
Find the center of the 1 1/2" x 7" piece of leaf fabric (the center along the long side). Mark it with a pen or pin or by folding a crease into the fabric.
Find the center of the cut edges of the triangles cut in the step above and mark.
Line up the center of one triangles with the center crease on one side of the rectangle and sew in place. Right sides facing.
Repeat with an opposite triangle.
Square up to 4 1/2” x 4 1/2”