Monkey Wrench Quilt Block Pattern
From our Free Quilt Block Patterns Library
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
Grid: 5x5
This Monkey Wrench quilt block pattern is a variation of this version.
Instead of using plain half square triangles in the corners, Birds in the Air units are substituted in, adding a bit more interest with little increase in difficulty.
On this page you'll find directions and downloadable patterns for paper piecing the majority of this block, making it quick, easy and precise.
Don't you just love it when all the points on triangle are right where they should be.
Let's get started!
General Instructions
Sample Block Size: 10"(10-1/2" unfinished)
Grid Size: 2"
All seam allowances (SA) are 1/4".
Pressing instructions are highlighted for easy reference.
When you are instructed to press, first press the pieced unit flat to set the seam. Then open the patch, pressing from the front.
You may want to reduce or eliminate the use of steam for pressing these paper pieced blocks. Steam tends to curl the paper.
Take a minute to review our favorite technique to getting the flattest quilt blocks you'll ever see. It works even with the paper attached. Now THAT'S sweet!
Click here to learn the secret!
Step 1: Download the paper piecing patterns
You'll need the most current version of Adobe installed on your computer to download the pattern.
On the Adobe Print Menu page, under 'Page Size and Handling' set 'Custom Scale' to 100% before printing for accurate results. Click here to see what it looks like on the Print Menu page.
Print the Birds in the Air Units | ||
|---|---|---|
| Finished Block Size | # of copies | Link to PDF Download |
| 5" | 1 | 2" |
| 6-1/4" | 1 | 2-1/2"" |
| 7-1/2" | 1 | 3" |
| 10" | 2 | 4" |
After printing, use the 1" square graphic on the printed pages to confirm they are printed accurately.
My favorite paperpiecing papers are:
Step 2: Cut the Monkey Wrench patches
Monkey WrenchThe patches for the paperpieced blocks are generously sized to making positioning them a breeze. The remaining patches (6, 7, 8) are cut to the exact size needed.
All the dimensions in the table below are for squares.
That means for Patch #1 for a 10" finished block cut two squares 2-7/8" x 2-7/8". Then sub cut it once on the diagonal.
 |
Cutting Chart for a~ Paper Piecing ~ | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patch | Fabric | Qty | Finished Block Size | Sub Cut | |||
| 5” | 6-1/4” | 7-1/2” | 10” | ||||
| A | 1 | 1 | 1-7/8” | 2-1/8” | 2-3/8” | 2-7/8” |  |
| B | 2, 3, 4 | 2 | 2-3/8” | 2-5/8” | 2-7/8” | 3-3/8” | |
| A | 5 | 1 | 3-3/8” | 3-7/8” | 4-3/8” | 5-3/8” | |
| A | 6 | 4 | 1-1/2” | 1-3/4” | 2” | 2-1/2” | na |
| B | 7,8 | 5 | 1-1/2” | 1-3/4” | 2” | 2-1/2” | na |
| Grid Size | 1” | 1-1/4” | 1-1/2” | 2” | na | ||
Do you hate to paper piece? Click here for instructions and a cutting chart to make the Birds in the Air unit (Patches 1-5) the traditional way with rotary cut patches.
All the patches are cut and ready to go!
Step 3: Make the units in the Monkey Wrench quilt block pattern
Birds in the Air Units
Make 4
For detailed instructions to make this unit, visit Birds in the Air block.
Cut out each of the units from the page you downloaded, cutting just beyond the dashed lines.
Use Elmer's Glue Stick, the kind that goes on purple and dries clear, to stick the wrong side of #1 to the unprinted side of the pattern. Use the dashed placement guidelines to help position it.
With RST, align the long bias edge of a #2 triangle with the long bias edge of #1.
Stitch from the printed side, starting and stopping a 1/4" off the solid line.
Press. (If you've starched your quilt fabric, you should be able to fingerpress for this short piece.)
With RST, align #3 with #1. Stitch and press.
With RST, align #4 with the other side of #1. Stitch and press.
Establish the placement line for #5 by trimming the seam allowances of #3 and #4 to quarter inch. (Click here for instructions if needed).
With RST, lineup the edges of #3 and #4 with #5.
Stitch #5 from the printed side, starting and stopping a 1/4" off the solid stitching line. (see arrows below)
Press.
Trim these four units to size with your rotary ruler.
Pieced Rectangles
Make 4
With RST, stitch a light #6 to a dark #7, repeat for the remaining three pairs.
Press with the SA to the darker fabric.
Your finished units look like this and measure 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" at this point.
Step 4: Assemble your Monkey Wrench
Layout the pieced units and cut patches into rows.
Stitch the units together into rows. Press with the seam allowance in the direction of the arrows below.
Stitch the rows together. The nested SAs will help you match the seam lines.
The is your finished Monkey Wrench quilt block pattern!
Our Monkey Wrench if complete!Ready for another block?
There's lots more patterns where this one came from. Find them in our Free Quilt Block Pattern Library.
Need design inspiration? Then go to our Quilt Design 101.
Share your work to inspire other Quilters!
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- On Instagram please tag your blocks and quilts with the hashtag #GenerationsQuiltPatterns.
- Visit our Show n'Tell page on the website. Click here to share photos and tell your own story, just start typing at 'The name of your quilt is...'. If you'd prefer to submit more photos than the form allows, simply email them to me at julie@generations-quilt-patterns.com.
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