If you love autumn colors and classic patchwork, the Falling Leaves quilt by Amanda Castor of Material Girl Quilts is a beautiful way to put your favorite fat quarters to work. Its maple leaf blocks turn in different directions across the quilt, while open background squares give the design an airy, falling-leaves effect.
The best part for visual learners is that Amanda demonstrates the construction in a free step-by-step YouTube video. Below, you can watch her tutorial, see the main measurements mentioned in the lesson, and pick up practical tips for half-square triangles, leaf stems, block placement, and assembling a larger quilt.
Falling Leaves Quilt at a Glance
| Project detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Quilt name | Falling Leaves |
| Designer | Amanda Castor, Material Girl Quilts |
| Finished quilt size | 69 × 83 inches (approximately 175 × 211 cm) |
| Fat quarters for leaves | 11 fat quarters |
| Maple leaf blocks | 22 blocks (2 from each fat quarter) |
| Plain background blocks | 8 squares, each 12½ × 12½ inches before sewing |
| Block size | 12½ inches unfinished (12 inches finished) |
| Layout | 5 blocks per row × 6 rows, with sashing |
| Tutorial access | Free video; printable PDF available through the designer's membership |
The figures above are stated in Amanda's video tutorial. They are not a complete fabric-purchasing list; background, sashing, border, backing, and binding quantities should be checked against the original instructions.
Watch the Free Falling Leaves Quilt Video Tutorial
Amanda walks through the maple leaf block, shows how to make the stem, and explains the overall quilt layout. Watch the original video for her demonstrations, placement diagram, and sewing sequence.
Watch the original Falling Leaves quilt tutorial on YouTube if the embedded player does not appear.
Original designer's tutorial and pattern information
Material Girl Quilts — Falling Leaves (a fat quarter quilt tutorial)
The blog post explains the inspiration behind the quilt and links members to the printable PDF pattern. Visit the original site for current membership terms and access.
Fabric and Tools to Prepare
The featured quilt was made with Shades of Autumn, a collection by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs. Amanda highlights its warm seasonal prints and metallic accents. You can use any coordinated quilting cottons with enough contrast to distinguish the leaves from the background.
- 11 fat quarters for the 22 maple leaf blocks.
- Background fabric for the leaf blocks, eight plain setting squares, sashing, and narrow outer border.
- Additional fabric for backing and binding, plus batting.
- Tools: rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting ruler, fabric marker, pins or clips, sewing machine, and iron.
Important: The supplied video does not give one complete yardage total for every fabric category. Avoid buying fabric based only on the fat-quarter count; consult the designer's pattern or plan your background and finishing requirements separately.
How to Make a Falling Leaves Quilt Block
The leaf is assembled from nine square units arranged in three rows. The instructions below explain the techniques shown in the free video; for the complete quilt's cutting chart, sashing dimensions, and final layout diagram, use Amanda's original tutorial and membership pattern.
Step 1: Make four half-square triangle units
For one leaf block, Amanda starts with two 5-inch print squares and two 5-inch background squares. Pair each print with a background square, right sides together. Mark a diagonal line and stitch ¼ inch to either side, then cut along the drawn line. The two pairs produce four half-square triangles.
Press the seams toward the darker print fabric and trim each half-square triangle to 4½ inches square, as shown in the video.
Helpful tip: Trim with the diagonal seam aligned to the 45-degree line on your ruler. Keeping all four units the same size makes the leaf points much easier to match.
Step 2: Piece the diagonal leaf stem
Cut one 4½-inch background square diagonally into two triangles. Amanda places those triangles on opposite sides of a 1½ × 7-inch stem strip and sews them into a larger unit.
After pressing, she folds the stem to identify its center, uses the diagonal marking on her ruler to keep it straight, and trims the finished stem unit to 4½ inches square.
Helpful tip: Check that the stem runs cleanly from corner to corner before trimming. If the fabric shifts, the stem can look off-center even when the outside square measures correctly.
Step 3: Arrange the nine block units
Lay out the four half-square triangles, three solid print squares, one background square, and one stem square to form the maple leaf. Use the arrangement shown by Amanda rather than guessing the orientation of the triangles.
Sew the units into three rows, then join the rows. Press adjoining row seams in opposite directions so the intersections nest neatly.
Step 4: Check the unfinished block size
The completed maple leaf block should measure 12½ × 12½ inches before it is sewn into the quilt. This corresponds to a 12-inch finished block once seam allowances are taken up.
Helpful tip: Make one test block first. If it is too small, check the quarter-inch seam allowance before sewing the remaining 21 leaves.
How the Falling Leaves Quilt Layout Works
One fat quarter makes two maple leaf blocks, so the 11 fat quarters yield 22 leaf blocks. Amanda adds eight plain 12½-inch background squares, bringing the total to 30 blocks. These are arranged in six rows of five blocks, separated by sashing.
The blank squares create negative space, and rotating the leaf blocks in different directions makes the design feel like leaves drifting through the air. Amanda encourages viewers to adjust the position of the plain blocks to suit their own composition.
After arranging the blocks, sew the rows and prepare the sashing rows as demonstrated in the video. A narrow background border finishes the quilt top. The designer gives a final quilt size of 69 × 83 inches.
Five Tips for Sewing Neat Maple Leaf Blocks
- Use an accurate quarter-inch seam. Small differences across three rows can make a block difficult to square.
- Trim every half-square triangle. Consistent 4½-inch units are the foundation of the 12½-inch block.
- Keep the stem centered. Use the ruler's diagonal line when trimming the stem unit.
- Alternate pressing directions. Nesting seams reduces bulk at the block intersections.
- Photograph your layout. Before joining rows, take a picture so you can check leaf direction and background-square placement.
Color Ideas Beyond Traditional Autumn Fabrics
- Classic fall: burnt orange, mustard, cranberry, olive, and warm cream.
- Modern jewel tones: teal, plum, ruby, emerald, and a pale neutral background.
- Soft woodland: sage, dusty rose, tan, rust, and oatmeal prints.
- Fresh spring leaves: mint, lime, sky blue, yellow, and crisp white.
For the most visible leaf silhouettes, choose a background that contrasts with your prints. Mixing large and small motifs can add variety, but avoid using too many leaf fabrics that are nearly the same value as the background.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing finished and unfinished sizes: 12½ inches is the block's size before joining; it finishes at 12 inches.
- Stretching triangle edges: handle cut edges gently, especially while pressing the stem pieces.
- Turning a leaf the wrong way: check the video layout before sewing each row.
- Skipping the eight plain squares: they are a deliberate part of the quilt's falling-leaves composition.
- Assuming 11 fat quarters cover the entire quilt: additional background, sashing, border, backing, and binding fabric are required.
More Quilting Tutorials from The Quilting Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Falling Leaves quilt tutorial free?
Yes, Amanda Castor's video tutorial is free to watch on YouTube. The separate downloadable PDF pattern is available through the Material Girl Sewciety membership described on her website.
How many fat quarters does the quilt use?
The leaf blocks use 11 fat quarters, with two maple leaf blocks cut from each fat quarter. You also need background and finishing fabrics.
How many maple leaf blocks are in the quilt?
There are 22 maple leaf blocks plus eight plain background blocks, for a total of 30 blocks in the quilt layout.
What size is each maple leaf block?
Each block measures 12½ inches square unfinished and finishes at approximately 12 inches square when sewn into the quilt.
Is Falling Leaves suitable for beginners?
A confident beginner can follow the video if they are comfortable with straight seams and basic half-square triangles. Accurate trimming and keeping the stem centered take a little extra care.
Can I change the placement of the leaves?
Yes. Amanda specifically discusses rotating leaf blocks and moving the plain background squares to create a layout you like. Keep the block and sashing measurements consistent.
Final Thoughts
Falling Leaves combines a recognizable maple leaf block with a lively, open layout. Start with one test block, choose fat quarters with good contrast, and take your time with the stem and half-square triangles. The free video is a helpful way to see Amanda's technique in action before committing to the full quilt.
Original sources: Material Girl Quilts — Falling Leaves quilt tutorial · Falling Leaves quilt video by Amanda Castor.
