Hey Everyone, welcome back to Stash Blasting Wednesday.

Seeing how Canada Day is just around the corner what better block to have today than our iconic maple leaf. There are many different versions of the maple leaf block and this is the one that I incorporated into the cornerstones of my Purely Canadian quilt. Another great quilt to display on Canada Day as it really is very Canadian.

This block can be made with any colour you like – it can be the actual colour of leaves whether green for summer or gold for autumn. It could even be made scrappy with all of the leaf pieces being a different colour – that would look very interesting and unique I do believe especially if there were many of them in the quilt. My block is with made with brown and cream. Or it could be done in true Canadian colours of red and white.

The block shown is a 6 inch block.

Cutting Instructions

Brown Fabric

• Cut TWO (2) 3 ¼″  squares
• Cut THREE (3) 2 ½″ squares
• Cut ONE (1) 1″ x 4″ rectangle

Cream Fabric

• Cut TWO (2) 3 ¼″  squares
• Cut THREE (3) 2 ½″ squares
• Cut ONE (1) 3 ½″ square cut on the diagonal once – not sure what this means check out my blog post on cutting on the diagonal

Building the Block

Making the Leaves

1. With the brown and cream 3 ¼″ squares make 4 half square triangles. Follow the directions here on how to make half square triangles. Press the seam towards the brown fabric. Which tool are you going to use for pressing – finger, hera marker or iron.

2.Square off the half square triangles to measure 2 ½″.

Four half square triangles for the points of the maple leaf

Making the Stem

1. Make the stem by sewing the brown rectangle to one of the triangles. Place the rectangle along the long side of the triangle. Be careful not to manipulate the triangle too much as it is cut on the bias and can stretch. The triangle will be longer than the rectangle. Press the seam towards the rectangle.

Sew the rectangle to long side of the triangle

2. Sew the other triangle to the other side of the rectangle in the same manner. Press the seam towards the rectangle.

Unit made in step 1 placed on top of other triangle

Stem unit sewn together

3. Square off the piece to 2 ½″. I have been generous with the amounts so there is a bit to cut off.

Stem unit squared off to 2 ½″

Putting the Pieces Together

1. Lay out the pieces as in the photo below.

Lay out blocks in this order

2. Sew the first two squares in each row together making sure to keep the half square triangle oriented the proper way. Press rows 1 & 3 towards the half square triangle and row 2 towards the brown square.

Sew the first two squares in each row together

3. Sew the remaining square in each row to the unit made in step 2. Press the seam in the same direction as previously done.

Rows sewn together

Back of rows showing the direction the seams are pressed in

4. Sew row 1 & 2 together taking care to match the seams. Pin seams if necessary – the forked pins from Clover work great to hold the seams together and ensure perfectly matching seams. See them in action here at To Pin or Not to Pin. Press the seam in either direction.

Rows 1 & 2 pinned together with forked pins

Rows 1 & 2 sewn together

5. Sew row 3 to the unit made in step 4. Press the seam in the same direction as step 4.

Completed 6″ Maple Leaf Block

What colour are you going to make yours?

Happy Quilting!