The maple leaf block is a classic block, perfect for the autumn season.  It is a really easy block to make, and can be done in different sizes as needed.  Essentially it is just a nine patch block of squares, with a few half square triangles and a stem.  Putting five of them together with a border makes a quick and easy, seasonal table runner.

To begin, make the maple leaf block.  Make five in five different colors. Each one will finish at 12 inches.

Here’s what you will need – 

Background for each block –

Two 5-inch squares

One 4-1/2-inch square

One 6-inch square

For Each Color –

Two 5-inch squares

Three 4-1/2 inch squares

One strip 1-inch wide by 8-1/2 inches long

Border and Binding – about 1/2 yard of fabric

To begin, make the half-square triangles by drawing lines diagonally on the back of the 5-inch squares. Pair with the same size color squares and sew 1/4 inch away from your drawn line.  Cut on the line and press open.

Cut the 6-inch background square in half diagonally. Place on either side of the color strip, aligning the points to help center both triangles.

Press all the pieces.

Square up the stem block to 4-1/2 inches by aligning the diagonal color strip on the 45-degree line. Ignore the measurements in this picture, I forgot to take one of the larger stem. This pic is from another project.

Square up the half square triangles.

Lay out the Maple Leaf block as shown.

Sew in rows, pressing seams opposite to nest them.  Yes, I changed colors on you, LOL!

Repeat with four more colors. If you cut all your pieces at once, you can assemble them by chain piecing.

Place finished blocks end to end, varying the placement of the stem. Add a border.  Mine is approximately 3 inches in width before sewing for this cute border print.  See my Border Tutorial for instructions. A print that contains the colors of your leaves will look the best, however you can also use one of the leaf prints.

Quilt as you like. This runner is small enough to do easily on a domestic machine. Bind as usual.  I used a straight-of-grain binding on this runner as it will not get a lot of stress on the edges, and it saved fabric.  Cut the binding 2-1/2 inches wide, join pieces as needed to get the total length you need.  See my tutorial on Binding a Quilt for specific directions on joining pieces, attaching to the quilt, and making perfect corners. Here it is finished.  It measured at 17 x 64 inches.

And here it is on display in my kitchen.

With some seasonal decorations too.

Quick and easy!!  You can make them different lengths by the number of leaf blocks you use.  Use just three blocks for a shorter table topper.  Use four blocks in a square for a fast table topper.  Next,  I’ll show you a second Three Maple Leaves Table Runner design that will work up even faster!!

Happy Quilting!!

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