How to Sew a Magnolia Leaf Quilt

Magnolia leaf quilts have a leaf design against a background color. Other names for this quilt pattern are maple leaf or autumn leaf quilts. Using at least two colors of quilting fabric, you can create your own magnolia leaf quilt.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Quilt batting
• Seam binding
• Decorative quilting motif

Prepare to Sew

1. Determine the size for your quilt blocks. The quilt can be as big or small as you like because you can continue making separate quilt blocks until you reach your desired size. A common size is 6 inches by 6 inches. Use larger squares of fabric to create a larger block, or if you want a more intricate leaf quilt, use smaller squares.

2. Pick out colors for the background and the leaf sections. Purchase the yardage needed plus 10 percent more fabric to cover for cutting mistakes. For a 6 by 6 block, you would have four 2 1/2 inch squares and one strip measuring 2 7/8 by 5 3/4 inches in the leaf color. You also need one 2 7/8 by 5 3/4-inch strip, one 2 1/2 inch square and two 2-inch squares in your background color.

3. Wash and dry the fabric so the fabric doesn't shrink during subsequent washings. If the fabric is wrinkled, iron it so your cuts and measurements are precise.

4. Measure and cut the strips and squares for the number blocks you want. Stack the fabric according to size and color so you can easily find what you need when you begin piecing the quilt together.

5. Assemble the magnolia block by placing the strips right sides together and cutting them in half.

6. Keep the two sets of squares together and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the top square from one corner to the opposite corner. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance and stitch the two blocks with a straight stitch 1/4 inch away from the diagonal on either side. You may find it easier to first mark the 1/4-inch line, and then sew over it.

7. Cut the two squares down the center diagonal line. Press the squares open and cut the additional fabric tail from the open square. You have just taken a short cut and made four squares at once with half of each color.

8. Place the 2-inch squares of the background fabric right side down. Place the larger 2 1/2 inch square of the leaf fabric right side up. Draw a diagonal line on each of the background color squares from one corner to the opposite corner.

9. Place a background color square towards the top right of the leaf color square with right-sides facing each other. You are making the stem of the leaf, so decide how wide you want the stem. Stitch along the diagonal line you drew previously.

Sew the Quilt Together

10. Sew along the diagonal line and trim the seam to 1/4 inch. Repeat the process on the opposite corner of the leaf color square using the other background color square. Press the seams towards the leaf fabric once you've finished sewing the fabric together and have trimmed the seams.

11. Place the fabric in this order: background square, 2 leaf and background squares with the leaf square on the bottom left side. Start with a leaf and background square with the leaf fabric on the top right side for the start of row two. Finish row two with 2 solid squares from the leaf fabric. Start the third row with a leaf and background fabric square with the leaf section on the top right side. Add a solid leaf square and then finish the row using the stem square you constructed in Step 9, Section 1.

12. Sew the squares of fabric together row by row from left to right, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press each seam towards the next square of fabric. Now sew the rows together, also using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Begin with the top row and end with the third row. Pin your rows to keep the fabric in place while you sew.

13. Complete sewing your magnolia leaf blocks until you have a sufficient amount to create the quilt size you want. Sew each block together by following the same row pattern you followed in Steps 2 and 3. Press the seams after you have finished your quilt top

14. Place the quilt top right side down. Top it with the quilt batting, and then lay the wrong side of your backing fabric on top of the batting. Pin together at various places and use binding tape to bind the seam.

15. Finish the quilt by sewing a quilting motif into the quilt. There are many designs as well as free form quilting motifs. Choose a design you like and stitch through all of the layers of your quilt.