It’s suuuuuummertime!!! (Well, at least in this hemisphere…I think my Aussie friends are in winter- ack!). I’m SO grateful for what June brings around here- afternoons at the pool, camping trips, my gorgeous snowball bush in bloom…
And, of course, another Sugar Block!
This month’s block is a fun twist on the old classic Maple Leaf. It still has that simple, strong leaf shape, but in stripes! Oh the fun to be had with picking fabrics for this one! Scroll down for the free tutorial to make it (or, if you haven’t already, upgrade for a printer friendly PDF).
So, we’re six blocks in, and I’m really liking the direction these are going in. Loving these juicy, poppy colors I picked for my quilt..super happy and fun…and I’m liking the mix of blocks. Feels playful to me, and I can’t wait to add even more as the year goes on.
By the way- have you been sharing photos of your Sugar Blocks on Instagram? Please do! I love it when someone posts one and tags me (@StitcheryDickory) as well as the club (#sugarblockclub) – makes my day to see everyone’s fabulous and unique fabric choices. (For those of you wondering, that’s where we’re posting photos this year, instead of on Flickr like we did in previous years. Oh the ever-changing world of social media, and I won’t complain- I adore IG!)
So here’s how to make this block! It’s super quick and easy!
Maple Stack
12” x 12” finished
Cutting:
White
- (2) 4 7/8” squares
- (1) 4 1/2” square
- (2) 2 7/8” squares
Print 1 (Coral)
- (1) 5” square
- (1) 4 1/2” square
Print 2 (Purple)
- (1) 5 1/4” square
- (2) 5” squares
Print 3 (Brown)
- (2) 5 1/4” squares
- (1) 5” square
Print 4 (Orange)
- (1) 5 1/4” square
Construction:
1. Draw a diagonal line, corner to corner, on the wrong side of all of the squares except for the 4 1/2” size.
2. Make the “stem” unit that goes at the base of the leaf by aligning the two 2 7/8” white squares on two opposite corners of the 4 1/2” Print 1 square so that the drawn lines cross the corners and are parallel to one another. Stitch on the drawn lines, then trim to create a 1/4” seam allowance and press corners open.
3. Next, make the half square triangle (HST) units (there are three of them in this block), by pairing the 5” Print 1 with a 5” Print 2 square, and also pairing the remaining 5” Print 2 square with a 5” Print 3 square (so two pairs total). Place the paired squares right sides together so that the lighter fabric is on top (or whichever is easier to see the line on), and stitch a 1/4” seam on both sides of the drawn line. Cut in half on the drawn line, and press the units open. Trim these HST to 4 1/2” square and discard one of the Print 2/Print 3 units (you’ll only need one of them for this block). Set the remaining three units aside.
4. These last units contain half square triangles and quarter square triangles, so I call them half-quarter square triangles (HQST). Fancy, fancy! These are super easy. Start by making more HST units (repeating Step 3) with all of the 5 1/4” squares in the following pairs: Print 2 + Print 3, and Print 3 + Print 4. Press these units open but don’t trim them.
5. Take one unit from each of the two color combos, and discard the remaining two units (we only need the two for this block). In the same way, pair each of these two units with a 4 7/8” white square, right sides together, so that the drawn diagonal line is facing up and is perpendicular to the seam. Again, stitch on both sides of the drawn line, cut the units in half, and press. This process will yield two mirror image units in each color combo (so a total of four units). Trim these units to 4 1/2” square.
6. At this point, you should have nine units- three HST, four HQST, and one unpieced white square (yes, that’s Miss Adelaide getting in on the photo with her prissy paws!).
Use the block image as a guide to arrange the units into a 3×3 block pattern and stitch them into three rows of three units each. Press seams in rows 1 and 3 to the left, and seams in row 2 to the right, then stitch the rows together, matching and pinning at seam intersections. Press.
And that’s the Stacked Maple! I hope you join in the fun and stitch up your own version!
Happy sewing!
XOXO
Looks like fun! I, too, love the colors you have chosen for your version of the quilt…. Your instructions are always so helpful…thank you for doing the club this year!!
Thank you Nanette! So glad you’re enjoying the club!!
What a lovely block, thanks heaps.
Thanks Guida! :)
What a cute block, Amy!! I love it!
Thank you so much!!! ;)
I am very thankful summer is here in Missouri. Spring allergies kept me away from my sewing studio.
Your blocks are so lovely! I am inspired to begin my version a.s.a.p. Fabric choices, Fun! I’m right in the middle of catching up on another sew along, too. So, I’m going to pull some fabrics and begin my Sugar Block quilt by starting on my June block.
Sounds like a great plan! Can’t wait to see what you stitch up, Jerri! :)
They are all looking really good together hanging on the fence. Love your take on the maple leaf!
I especially like step 6 with the additional of 2 tiny white paws! What a pleasant addition!
what a lovely colorful block!
I’ve got to get my craft room unpacked and functional so I can get going on this block! (And do April, May, and June of my 2016 Craftsy BOM. I’m quite behind on that one!)
Love your new block. When I click for the PDF printable pattern however, I get the May and not June.
Hi Nancy! Sorry about that- total human error on my part. Go ahead and click on the image itself in the email, instead of the text- that will bring you to the June pattern. Cheers!!! :)
Good to know..I was wondering about that. :)
Just found you! Is there any way to get the previous blicks? Liking what I see!
Thanks Dianna! So glad you’re liking the look of this year’s BOM! If you click on the “Sugar Block Club” tab at the top of the page, you’ll find images and links to all of the previous months’ blocks. Happy stitching! :)
Am enjoying this quilt a long. You have wonderful ideas. Tried to guess what the next block would be but you always surprise me.😀
I love the club. Haven’t gotten to sew yet. I know we don’t pass out our patterns that we downloaded , but can we use the pattern to make blocks to swap w others in the ongoing swaps posted on IG. Thank you for your creativity, Amy
Thank you! Love that updated look.
Thank you for the modern look of the maple leaf. Love this design.
So lovely. I am loving these blocks. Are you going to be holding our hands all the way through to turning them into a quilt? I hope so!
Have you watched the 2012 Craftsy BOM? It’s free! Amy taught it and it is awesome. I don’t know what she plans with this one but if she isn’t able to take us past the blocks on this quilt, I know you can get some really good information from that Craftsy class!
Thank you, I will check it out. This is my first ever quilting project.
I have really enjoyed this bom…love the modern twists and unique color combos. I’ve been mimicking your colors using fabric from my stash and surprisingly have not come up dry yet! Look forward to July already. Thanks so much for sharing. I don’t do Instagram but am tempted so I can view all the different interpretations.
Amy! I did the QAL in 2012 and really enjoyed it. You have such a lovely personality and such great tips. Life has been hectic, but I was so happy to check my email and see this! I hope I can join in later this summer. Love the direction your blocks are going, and thinking of doing a quilt in greens and blues, perhaps.
I was wondering if print 2 should be 5 1/4 not 5 1/2. I love this block
I just joined the Sugar Block Club today, in June. How do I access the printable PDF’s for the blocks so far? Thank you, I love your blocks!
I just realized that the welcome email to the Premium Sugar Block Club contains links to all the month’s blocks. Thanks!
Amy-I’ve been a fan since your BOM Craftsy sequence. Always watch for your monthly newsletters (emails). I don’t have Facebook; nor do I have Instagram. So I’m thrilled to make use of your Sugar Blocks through emailing. Question: Will we be able to access the Sugar Blocks after this year (forever?) or should we be saving each months’ emails? Just curious because I recently had to switch to a new computer (had to bury my old one) and I’ve lost everything saved on my previous computer.
Thanks. Oh, & by the way! My copy of your The Quilt Block Cookbook just arrived yesterday and I am relishing each page. (Pun intended.) You sure have a keen mind as you not only create wonderful blocks but you have a unique way with the compilation of instructions. This book is a keeper!
Enjoy hearing your Colorado stories! My brother moved in recent years from C. S. (-affected by the Waldo Canyon fire) to Golden) — another reason I feel a bond with you.
HI – I love the cute lil paws in your photo! That is awesome and so cute! Hope all is great. THANKS for the fun! I’m loving the blocks. Now off to cut out the fabric and make a block. Cheers to you and the family!
Hi Amy, Did I miss something? Is June the end of the BOM? I thought it went until December. Last email I got was for June. Don’t want to get behind! This will be my first solid fabric quilt! Very bright, very diiferent from all my others. Just finished Craftsy’s 2016 BOM. Lots of pieces! Maybe I’ll try your Star Sampler in the end of August (solid and colorful!). 👍🏻😎🌴