The Blue Leaf Quilt Block Tutorial

The Blue Leaf quilt block is a fun, beginner-friendly project that puts a creative twist on a classic design. Instead of traditional fall colors, this version uses unexpected shades like blue or purple to make the design stand out. The block measures 6½ inches square and is made mostly from half-square triangles with a few solid pieces. To get accurate sizes, it’s important to start with 3-inch squares to end up with 2½-inch finished HSTs. The stem adds a special touch and uses the same technique as the Lattice Quilt method, where a thin strip of fabric is sewn between two triangles. Once the pieces are ready, they’re arranged to form the leaf, then joined together in rows. The result is a simple but striking block that’s perfect for experimenting with color and practicing piecing skills.

I call this one the Blue Leaf. Why? Because it’s a leaf and I made it blue. You’ve seen fall leaves before, right? All those rich reds, oranges, and golds. I was planning to make one in traditional fall colors, but I realized I didn’t have enough fabric left in those shades. So I thought, why not blue? You can use any color you like, purple, green, even pink. I actually enjoy working with unexpected colors; it gives a classic design a fresh twist.

This block is simple to make, but there are a few key details to know before you start. It’s made almost entirely of half-square triangles (HSTs). There are a few solid squares, but the stem section adds a special touch.

The finished block measures 6½ inches square, which makes it a nice small project, though you can easily size it up if you like. I used 2½-inch solid squares and 2½-inch half-square triangles, which gives that final measurement. But here’s something important to remember: you can’t just take two 2½-inch squares, sew them together into HSTs, and expect them to still measure 2½ inches afterward. You lose a bit of size in the process.

My general rule of thumb is this: if I want my finished HSTs to be 2½ inches, I start with 3-inch squares. After sewing and trimming, they’ll finish at the correct size. So always add about half an inch to your starting squares when making HSTs.

Now for the fun part, the stem. If you’ve seen our Lattice Quilt video, this method will look familiar because it uses the same process. Start with a 3-inch square of background fabric and cut it in half diagonally. Take a 1-inch by 4-inch strip of your stem fabric, black, brown, or any color you like. Lay the strip between the two triangle pieces, stitch one side with a ¼-inch seam, and press it open. Then sew the other side and press again. You’ll end up with a perfect little stem running through your square. The Lattice Quilt video walks through this step in detail if you’d like a visual reference.

Once your pieces are ready, lay everything out before sewing. I used darker blue fabrics for the center of the leaf, then blended out to lighter shades for a nice gradient effect. You’ll need a plain white background square for the corner, two HSTs next to it, and then your stem square to complete the layout. Assemble your block just like any other: join pieces in pairs, sew the rows together, and press the seams flat. Before long, you’ll have a beautiful Blue Leaf or whatever color version you’ve dreamed up.

This block is perfect for beginners. It’s simple, quick to make, and gives you a chance to practice several techniques like cutting, piecing, trimming, and even adding that custom stem detail. Give it a try, have fun experimenting with color, and be sure to share your results. Like and subscribe to our channel for more tutorials, and as always, happy sewing!