Happy Canada Day!

We're celebrating Canada today, and while I don't have any red and white quilting to share with you, I thought I would re-share a post I did a few years ago of a Maple Leaf quilt block. I see it every time I sit down at my machine perched on the small design wall just in behind my chair, and I enjoy it each and every time.

Vibrant batiks turned out to be a great choice for this block because the gradations in colour really evoke the way so many maples change colours in the fall. I put together a short tutorial together, if you are interested. It requires making a bit of a pattern for the longest point but it's very straight forward and really doesn't take that much time at all. I appliquéd my stem by hand but you could also attach it by machine.

One of the fabrics that I used is one that I've been using for the large Ohio Stars that I shared with you the last time. Of the three that I have left to make, two use this print; I made this one today. If I'm going to make more leaves from it I'd better hang on to what's left because there isn't that much. A few of them would make a nice autumn table runner. Then again, maybe my block is destined to be a party of one and greet me every time I enter my sewing room. Who knows?

If you are celebrating today, have fun. A nasty storm rolled through this afternoon and there is the potential for more tonight so our fireworks have been cancelled, which is a little disappointing. But we are still very grateful to live where we do. Happy Canada Day!....M

The Leaves Are Beginning to Turn

Recently the Canadian Quilters Association launched their new website and a gorgeous new logo that incorporates a beautiful maple leaf quilt block, traditional and contemporary at the same time - iconically Canadian. I've seen the block over the years but never really felt the need to make it. Until now. As the leaves begin to turn and it got me in the mood to give it a try.

There are lots of different leaf blocks out there but it took a while to find a seven-pointed layout where the tip was pieced rather than foundation pieced (for whatever reason I didn't want to go there). At the end of the day, I decided to draft my own pattern.

I have batiks that I use for journal covers; their rich colours seemed perfect for this project. If you give this block a try, feel free to experiment. I've seen some lovely monochromatic leaves and terrific scrappy ones too.

7.5" Maple Leaf Block Tutorial

For the leaf cut:
(6) 3.5" x 2" rectangles
(1) 2" x 2" squares
(1) leaf tip cut from template

For the stem cut:
(1) 1.25" x 5.5" strip, cut on the bias

For the background cut:
(2) 3.5" x 2" rectangles
(6) 2" x 2" squares
(1) 3.5" x 3.5" square
(1) triangle cut with template
(1) triangle cut with the template reversed

Make the leaf tip and triangle templates:
Draw two 3.5" squares on paper and mark the quarter inch seam allowance on all four sides. Mark the center point of two sides and draw a line from each point to the opposite corner. You will have two identical squares.

Cut the templates as illustrated, leaving a quarter inch seam allowance. 

This is what the templates look like without the cutaways. The template on the left is for the leaf tip and the triangular template on the right will be used for the leaf tip background. When cutting the background triangles, cut one then flip the pattern piece to cut the reverse.

Make the leaf tip block:
Sew the two background triangles to the leaf tip. Trim to 3.5" square.

Make the stem:
Fold the bias stem strip wrong sides together and sew a narrow seam allowance, about 1/8", the length of the strip. Press, centering the seam down the back of the stem.

Machine or hand appliqué the stem to a 3.5" background square as shown, leaving the left edge of the stem a quarter of an inch from the left edge of the block. Trim. (I forgot to take a photo at this stage but here's an idea of the stem placement.)

Make the leaf:
Draw a diagonal line on the back of the six 2" background squares.

Place one square on each of the six rectangles, right sides together, and stitch along the diagonal line. If you are using three colours for your leaf like I did, create pairs of opposites; if your leaf is scrappy sew the squares randomly.

Trim the seam allowances to 1/4" and press.

Lay out all of the elements of your block. 

Assemble in three sections...

and then sew the sections together. Voila! An autumn maple leaf.

I am really happy with how it turned out - love those rich colours. It's going to become a potholder so that I can enjoy the changing leaves year round in my kitchen but I think that I need to make a second block so that I can have a pair. There is talk of a virtual Holly Bazaar craft table this year so maybe a pair or two will find their way there as well....M