Recently I posted an image on my Instagram account showing a small quilt top I created in October 2022. People seem to like it when I talk about quilting on Instagram, so I thought I would talk about the project here. Here’s what the quilt top looked like draped across a chair on my porch one sunny fall afternoon:

It’s 16 Maple Leaf blocks with a wide border, and, when I finished quilting it (by hand), it ended up being about 25 inches by 25 inches. I would take a picture of the finished quilt topper, but right now it’s topping a table in my living room and has a lamp sitting on top. I’m feeling a bit too lazy right now to undo all that and haul it back on the porch for a sunny September morning photo. Trust me, it looks a lot like the photo!

As for the design, I think I must have seen something like it online, took a photo of that and later used the idea to create this project. When you look at most projects using this quilt block, all the leaves are lined up in neat rows. I liked the idea of an imaginary gust of wind blowing Maple leaves around and that’s why my blocks are turned this way and that. As for fabric selection, I try to always use 100% cotton fabrics and high quality ones. I learned a long time ago cheaper fabrics might be attractive price-wise, but usually make for a frustrating crafting experience and you end up with an inferior project.

I love the colors of Autumn, especially deep oranges and reds, and I am happy I used a lot of them in this table topper. I liked the finished project so much I later made a coordinating table runner using the same block. No picture right now, but I’ll see if I can get motivated to take it out on the porch for a few photos!