Autumn Leaves What more perfect block for the autumn season than a leaf block. This was my second block of the month way back in 1999. For the Autumn Leaf block you will need two colors, an autumn color and a background. I chose an off white on off white for my background. From a stem color, cut a piece cut 1 inch by 6 inches From your autumn color, cut two 4 7/8 inch squares and three 4 1/2 inch square From your background, cut two 4 7/8 inch squares and two 4 1/2 inch squares Step one: We're going to make a few diagonal half squares for our leaves. (You can find directions for making diagonal half squares with diagrams by following this link. . ) Place a 4 7/8 autumn color block and a 4 7/8 background block right sides together. Carefully draw a line down the center, corner to corner, diagonally across the block. (This will be a cutting line when you are finished.) Step two: If you have a true 1/4 inch foot on your machine, you can sew on either side of this drawn line. If not, you will have to draw a second line on either side, exactly 1/4 inch from the first line. This will be your sewing line. Step three: After you have sewn on your sewing line, 1/4 inch on either side of your corner to corner to line, you will cut this square in half on your cutting line. You will now have two diagonal half-squares, which should measure exactly 4 1/2 inches. Repeat so that you have four diagonal half-squares. For your stem: Cut one 4 1/2 inch square in half diagonally. Line up one half of that cut square with your one inch strip autumn color, with the extra strip hanging from each end evenly. Sew together carefully, you are sewing on the bias and it will be stretchy. Press towards the stem. Sew the other half of your cut square to the other side. Press toward the stem. Trim this block back to be a 4 1/2 inch square again, with your stem in the middle. Assemble as shown here. Your finished square should measure about 12 1/2 inches.         Want to make a variety of leaf sizes? For a mini leaf block you will need smaller squares, and you can make them pretty much as small as you'd like. To make a 3 inch finished leaf you need to cut 1 1/2 inch squares, and for the diagonal half squares you need to cut 1 7/8 inch squares. To make a 4 1/2 inch finished leaf you need to cut 2 inch squares, and for the diagonal half squares you need to cut 2 3/8 inch squares. To make a 6 inch finished leaf you need to cut 2 1/2 inch squares, and for the diagonal half squares you need to cut 2 7/8 inch squares. For the mini stems cut a strip about 3/4 inches by the diagonal length of the square, plus a quarter inch or so, enough to cover the points. (Or you could use embroidery thread to sew a stem on, or you could appliqué your stems.) This pattern can be used for personal use only and can not be used commercially without the owner's permission. No copies may be made without the owner's permission. This includes the patterns as well as any graphics and/or instructions that are associated with a pattern. Autumn Leaves © Delaware Quilts September 1999 |Home| Family| Quilts| Blocks| Retreat| Email| Updated October 15, 2006