Ozark Maple Leaf Quilt Block

From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library

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Skill Level: Beginner

The Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block might look complicated, but with our simple every-day quilting techniques, it's a piece of cake!

Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block pattern tutorial

Connector corners, quick-pieced half square triangles and basic piecing is all it takes.

Choose from three different block sizes: 6", 9" and 12".

Find two luscious fabrics and let's get started on our Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block.

General Instructions

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All seam allowances (SA) are 1/4".

Press units flat first to set the seam. Then again with the patches opened. Watch out for tucks at the SA.

I used two batiks in this Ozark Maple Leaf sample and I swear! There is nothing easier to sew with than batiks that are lightly starched. Pressing is a dream. (Click here to learn about starching your quilt fabric.)

The newest quilt fabrics to tickle your fancy...

Click the images below to see the full collection. We share any commercial and/or free patterns that showcase them, too. (For inspiration, of course!)

Bamboo Garden Artisan Batiks fabric collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman

Bamboo Garden Artisan Batiks
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Splash Artisan Batiks fabric collection by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman

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Mix the Volume fabric collection by AGF Studio for Art Gallery Fabrics

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Step 1: Cutting the Ozark Maple Leaf patches

Ozark Maple Leaf

Sample Size: 9" finished / 9½" unfinished

Grid: 6x6

Attributed to: Nancy Page

AKA: Arabic Latticework (Quilter's Newsletter), Broad Arrow (Farm Journal), Broad Arrow (Nancy Cabot), Fig Leaf (Quilter's Newsletter), Maple Leaf Design (Ladies Home Journal)

Design Type: Leaf

In the Cutting Chart, all the dimensions are for cut squares unless otherwise instructed. So 2-1/2" means to cut a 2-1/2"x2-1/2" square.

Patches #7 and #8 are used for quick pieced half square triangles (HST).

While the exact size is given in the chart, before cutting I added another 1/4" to them. (For the 9" sample block, I cut those squares 2-5/8" instead of 2-3/8".)

I prefer using oversized patches to create the HSTs and then trimming them to perfection after stitching.

Choose the method that works best for you!

			Cutting Chart for a Ozark Maple Leaf Quilt Block ~ Traditional Piecing ~
Patch	Fabric	Qty	Finished Block Size
Patch	Fabric	Qty	6”	9”	12”
1	A	2	2-1/2”	3-1/2”	4-1/2”
2	B	2	2-1/2”	3-1/2”	4-1/2”
3, 9	A	8	1-1/2”	2”	2-1/2”
4	B	2	1-1/2” x 2-1/2”	2" x 3-1/2”	2-1/2” x 4-1/2”
5	B	2	1-1/2" x 3-1/2”	2” x 5”	2-1/2” x 6-1/2”
6	B	2	1-1/2”	2”	2-1/2”
7**	B	2	1-7/8”	2-3/8”	2-7/8”
8**	A	2	1-7/8”	2-3/8”	2-7/8”
Unfinished Block Size			6-1/2”	9-1/2”	12-1/2”
Trim HSTs to...			1-1/2”	2”	2-1/2”
Grid Size			1”	1-1/2”	2”

Step 2: Assemble the Ozark Maple Leaf units

Unit A

The Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block- A unit

Make 2

Draw a diagonal line with a mechanical pencil on the back of the lighter of #7 or #8.

With right sides together (RST), layer a #7 and #8.

Stitch a 1/4" away from both sides of line. Repeat for the other pair.

The line I drew—harder for you to see—is just dark enough for me to see. Stitch a 1/4" inch from it on both sides.

Cut apart on the drawn line. Press with seam allowances to the dark.

If you cut oversized squares, as I did, refer to the Cutting Chart. Specifically the intersection of your block size column and the row 'Trim HST to...'. For this 9" sample, that number is 2". (Click here if you're having trouble finding it.)

If you cut squares the exact measurement in the chart, your HST should measure this same size.

You now have four perfect HST.

Trimmed to perfection!

With RST, layer a #9 square with a HST. Use the picture below to make the two mirror image units.

You can see that today just wasn't my day for taking pictures. The pairs are pieced correctly. The lower right one, though, is shown upside down! Clearly my old, blonde, Norwegianess is showing!

Make two of each combination, pressing SAs toward #9.

Take the lower right combo, and with RST, stitch it to the #1 square as shown below. Press the SA toward the #1. Make 2.

With RST, stitch a #6 to the left side of each of the remaining pairs. Press the SA toward the #6. Make 2.

With RST, stitch this 3-piece combo to the top of the partially pieced unit as shown below (the seams will nest). Make 2.

Press SA to the #1 side.

The Unit A's are complete.

Unit B

The Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block- B unit

Make 2

Using the connector corners technique, draw a diagonal line on the back of the #3 squares.

With RST, layer a #3 with a #2 (green). Stitch on the line. I like to start my stitching on a 'spider' (that scrap of blue fabric in the photo). It's less likely that my machine will eat the corners as I feed them in.

I like to use an open toe applique foot for stitching on drawn lines. It provides an unobstructed view of the needle.

Repeat for a pair of diagonal corners on each #2. Press the patches flat to set the seams.

I prefer to trim away the excess fabric between the seam allowance and the corner (black arrow). Leave a 1/4" seam.

Press. (below, right) Make 2.

The red arrow points to the untrimmed SA

With RST, sew a #4 to this path on the lefthand side. Press, SA to the #4. Make 2.

With RST, add the #5 to the top. Press the seams toward #5. Make 2.

Your two A's and two B's are complete.

Step 3: Assemble your Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block

Arrange the two A's and two B's into rows as shown.

Arrange the units into the Ozark Maple Leaf design

Sew each pair together. Press with the SA towards the #1 side.

Sew the rows together. There are three seams to match so I used pins.

If you need to hold the layers together as you sew

Your Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block is complete! To minimize bulk in the center, I've twirled the seam allowance by 'un-stitching' a few of the stitches in the SA. Click here to see it.

A completed Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block

Our completed Ozark Maple Leaf quilt block - we're ready for Fall!

Now's not the time to make like a tree and leaf...

Link to Free Quilt Block Patterns Library

...Your Ozark Maple Leaf may be finished, but there's more blocks to make!

You'll find them all in our Free Quilt Block Patterns collection.

Click the image to go there now!

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