Moore About Nancy: Maple Leaf quilt block

Maple Leaf

April 10, 1933-Nancy Cabot suggested the Maple Leaf quilt block was "particularly appropriate for a young man's room" when made using autumn colors.

She also suggested the stems all be set the same direction to create a "windblown appearance" and achieve "the most striking result."

This block is often seen made from just squares and half square triangle blocks. I decided to eliminate a few seams when I made my block. Now I see I could have eliminated another one! The pieces below the stem could have been sewn like the center section. Maybe next time!

So, here's what I did-

Background fabric-
Cut three 2 1/2" squares
Cut two 2 7/8" squares

Leaf fabric-
Cut two 2 7/8" squares
Cut one 2 1/2" square
Cut one strip 2 1/2" X 6 1/2"
Cut one strip 1 1/4" X 3 3/4"

Make your half square triangle blocks from the 2 7/8" squares. (You will have one extra.) Watch this video if you need to know how to make these blocks.

Cut one 2 1/2" square of background fabric in half diagonally and insert the 1 1/4" X 3 3/4" strip of leaf fabric for the stem. Trim unit to 2 1/2" square.

Place a 2 1/2" square of background fabric right sides together on the 2 1/2" X 6 1/2" strip of leaf fabric and use the stitch and flip method to get the center strip of the block. Sew your pieces together in rows as shown.

The Maple Leaf block can be found in EQ7 under 01 Classic Pieced-Nine Patch in the block library.

Nancy used a variation of this block in her Autumn Leaves block that she introduced on February 13, 1933.
Remember this-

Autumn Leaves

The leaves are about 2 1/2" square instead of 6" and the stem is appliqued but still basically the same leaf.

Here are two antique quilts with very different settings. Check out Tim Latimer-Quilts etc, to read more about these quilts.