Maple Star quilt block tutorial

When I was an ambassador for Island Batik, I shared many different quilt projects that I did for my monthly challenges. For many of them, I never took the time to write a tutorial or pattern. I am slowly going back through those quilt projects and putting together something for those of you who have asked about them.

Many of you have read my Vintage Reimagined post where I made a quilt using the Maple Star quilt block have asked me to do a tutorial. This is a tutorial for a 12-inch block and also an 18-inch block.

Download a PDF of this post from my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post).

If you are wondering why I picked those two sizes…well…..the tutorial was just going to be for the 12-inch block but I accidentally made my half-square triangle blocks too big because I grabbed the wrong AccuQuilt GO die.

There was no sense in wasting the blocks so I just cut out larger sizes of the rest of the blocks. I have to say that the 18-inch block is big! It wouldn’t take long at all to make a quilt with a block this size.

This photo shows you the difference between a 12-inch block and an 18-inch block.

Always use a 1/4-inch seam allowance when piecing. I haven’t included yardage for the blocks as I just used the fabric in my stash. I am mixing batiks and premium muslin.

12-inch block

• 4 – cream 2½” squares
• 4 – cream 2½-inch x 4½-inch rectangles
• 4 – cream 2 7/8-inch squares for HST blocks
• 1 – print#1 (purple print) 4½-inch square
• 4 – print #2 (lavender) 2½-inch x 4½-inch rectangles
• 4 – print #3 (dark purple) 2½” squares
• 4 – print #3 (dark purple) 2 7/8-inch squares for HST blocks

The following diagram for the block is showing the half square triangle blocks already pieced so they are 2½-inch unfinished.

I really like the colors of the batiks in this block. Now I have to decide what I will make with the blocks and how many more I will want to make.

Many times I change the colors in a block while I have the pieces laid out on my table. I originally picked the blue center but decided the teal/purple batik looked nicer. If I wanted to do some applique or fancy quilting, then the cream center would be perfect.

A printable of this post is available in my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post).

18-inch quilt block

I really like how big this block is!

• 4 – cream 3½” squares
• 4 – cream 3½-inch x 6½-inch rectangles
• 4 – cream 3 7/8-inch squares for HST blocks
• 1 – print#1 (purple print) 6½-inch square
• 4 – print #2 (blue) 3½-inch x 6½-inch rectangles
• 4 – print #3 (dark purple) 3½” squares
• 4 – print #3 (dark purple) 3 7/8-inch squares for HST blocks

If you have an AccuQuilt GO! cutter, I used the 8″ Qube set for the 12-inch block and the 12″ Qube set for the 18-inch block. Using the dies really makes it fast to cut your pieces.

My granddaughter was over for the day and we spent time in my studio where she did some painting. I worked on cutting out several Maple Star quilt blocks on one side of the table and she worked on the other. It was a lot of fun!

The day before both of my granddaughters were over with their puppy Velma. She at least 6 months old but hasn’t slowed down a bit! She is too much for poor Mr. Mickey. He couldn’t wait to get back in the house by himself.

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