It’s a Maple Leaf Quilt-Along!
Posted on September 14, 2021 by prairiemoonquilts in Brunswick Forest, Quilt-Alongs & BeesIn conjunction with the Brunswick Forest BOM, I’m hosting a quick little Quilt-along for those darling Maple Leaf blocks! They were so fun to make, I didn’t get enough the first time around while making the fall version of the quilt, and I want to do more. I want you to join me!
They’re great for busting small scraps, and they’re just so dang cute! Plus, it’s fall, so why not spend the fall making some leaves in our sewing rooms, while the leaves fall outdoors?
If you’re doing the Fall version of the BOM through Sew Sweet Quilt Shop, and choosing to put the little leaves into your background piecing, then this quilt-along will help you get those done, so you’ll have them all ready for your big quilt.
Or, if you aren’t even doing the BOM at all, and just want to make a really sweet fall leaves quilt, then I’ll be presenting several setting options for the Maple Leaf blocks throughout the quilt-along, and you’ll have your own version of a Maple Leaf quilt when we’re done!
Here’s the schedule:
This week: Gathering fabrics and getting ready
September 20: Cutting info and block tutorial
September 27: Making some blocks, Setting Option #1, and a give-away!
October 4: Making some blocks, Setting Option #2
October 11: Making some blocks, Setting Option #3
October 18: Making some blocks, Setting Option #4
October 25: Finish making blocks, setting together
November 8: Wrap up, maybe some prizes!
You’ll notice above I’m not giving a set amount of blocks to make each week, because depending on the setting option you choose, or if you’re making enough for the big BOM quilt, your number will vary, so it will be up to you how many you need to make each week, altho I’ll provide some guidance along the way on that.
So, are you in? The blocks are tiny and quick (3″ finished), so they’re fast and easy to make. If you’re ready, how about gathering those fabrics so we can get started next week? Here are some suggestions . . .
For my Fall version, I did all my leaves in various fall colors with dark brown stems and creamy backgrounds. Here’s an example:
If you have an abundance of fall scraps, like I do, this will be super easy to gather up. If you’re in need of some fall scraps, Renee Nanneman, at Need’l Love, has some fabulous Acorn Harvest bundles for sale right now — look HERE. I’m so tempted to buy one myself! It would make the most gorgeous fall leaves quilt! OK, I about have myself talked into it . . . I mean, how can you resist this gorgeous bundle??
Or . . . you could do a bright, modern version of scattered leaves to use up lots of bright scraps in non-traditional leaf colors, like this example in bright blue:
Or . . . if you have a lot of greens to use up, do all green leaves, either in brights or traditional leaf greens:
Or, you can go super scrappy and put all sorts of prints into one leaf, no matter which color scheme you’re going with. Here’s a fall super scrappy one:
Here’s a bright super scrappy one:
I used creamy backgrounds with my fall leaves, and low-volumes of all sorts in my bright leaves. Just using up all sorts of scraps! Your stems don’t have to be brown, either — make them all sorts of colors, or pick something unusual to make them all from.
Endless possibilities, really!
As for sizes of the scraps you’ll need, for the leaf parts, you can get by with a 5″ square or larger to make one leaf. For the background, you can get all the necessary pieces from a 4″ square or larger to make one leaf. The stems can use up very tiny scraps. So this is a chance to use up some small pieces from your scrap bag! Leftover charm squares or other leftover pre-cuts, the bits and pieces from other quilts you don’t quite know what to do with, etc.
Are you in? What colors are you gonna choose to do? I’m so excited to see!
Check back on the 20th; we’ll start cutting, and I’ll give you the block instructions so you can get going!
If you are doing the Brunswick Forest BOM through Sew Sweet, you don’t even have to wait for me — the instructions for the leaves are in your booklet on page 5 — you can get a head start! If you want to do the entire Brunswick Forest quilt, and haven’t signed up for the BOM or purchased a booklet, and would like to, just call the shop at 660.548.3056 and they can get you set up. You do NOT have to be participating in the BOM and you do NOT have to purchase a booklet to take part in this Quilt-along — it’s open to anyone for free right here, and I hope you’ll join in!
I want to make some of these, please. You never know when you might need a bunch of 🍁 maple leaves!
Well, I need to start one more thing like I need another hole in my head, but these are so cute and can use scraps, so I’M IN!
Love leaves! I’m in!
You write a very convincing post! Sounds like fun and just the kind of sewing that I feel like doing right now. Plus it will be a great way to add to my very tiny monthly block count! I’m in!
I have been resisting making a fall quilt for a month or more . . . but, since you asked? . . . sure! Count me in!!
I’m in!
I’m in! Still can’t decide on my colors. I’m working on it though.
Maybe 🤔
You have convinced me, what a wonderful way to use scraps, and who doesn’t love fall colors.
Thanks
So cute! I’m in since they would make cute spacers on a charity quilt with an outdoor theme. Now I know what to do with a lot of my browns!
I want to do it but not home with fabric or sewing machine, maybe try hand sewing a few.
I do not need a new project right now–I need to finish some, but I am so tempted!! And I have a pile of fall fabrics leftover from another quilt, so rather than put them away, I will use them to make some leaves!
You should be a used car salesman
You can convince people so easily. Since I’m lucky enough to have some “leftover ” fabric from Renee it would be a great way to use some. Little is cute.
I’m in!!!
i am getting the emails again so i am happy….
when i get home from work tomorrow i will get my fabric together so that I can join along….
They’re so cute! I’m trying not to look – I have so many other projects going on, but . . .they’re so cute!
Those are super cute and I love leaves – I will try to be in!
Thanks, Shelly!
Those are just so dang cute! Fall is my favorite season I am in!
I really don’t have time for a quilt along…I keep saying that. But My friend Karen has talked me into doing this. Fun, easy, and it doesn’t interfere with my determination to finish my UFOs. I have a huge fall fabric stash, I just can’t resist them. In fact, I think I can work these tiny blocks into a fall quilt I’ve been trying to get started. Who knows…. Maybe I can get it done by next Easter 🙂
I wish I had time for this, but I will enjoy living vicariously through everyone else’s photos. It looks like a lovely pattern.
Goes to show great minds think alike! I’ve been planning a leaves quilt! Not sure I will do the 3 inch blocks or not yet…maybe a few. I’ll sew along for the fun for sure tho. I have a fall bundle of fat quarters my sister gifted me years ago that need to get used. I look forward to your setting ideas…think I might do something with multi sized leaf blocks tho.
Can I Arrow Rock and Maple Leaf too? I think so. Here we go.
You’re so very persuasive – I know I ought to be finishing projects in hand and now you’ve got me looking for fabric mixes! However, I like the flexibility of ‘some blocks’ and think I can manage this each week. I’ve a long time wanted to try leaf blocks and I love that they’re so small!