If you’ve followed some of my tutorials, the method for constructing these Monkey See blocks will be familiar. They are super easy and fast to make. You will need a novelty fabric that you can fussy cut for the center of the blocks. This tutorial makes nine blocks, enough for a baby, wall, or lap quilt.
First, fussy cut eight 4 ½” center blocks.
Cut eight rectangles 4 ½” x 5” from contrasting fabrics. I used four fabrics so I cut two rectangles from each one.
Beginning with the 4 ½” squares, sew a contrasting fabric (right sides together) to each one by sewing down two sides. The rectangles will be a little larger than the squares as you are sewing.
Shift the tubes you’ve created and quickly match up the seams. Finger press a fold line in the contrasting rectangle. Cut along the fold line and finger press open.
Cut eight 5” x 8 ½” rectangles from the same contrasting fabrics. Place each rectangle on top of the previously sewn units, matching the contrasting fabrics. Sew down the two sides perpendicular to the previous seams.
Shift the tubes and match the seams. Finger press a fold line in the contrasting rectangle and cut as shown. Press.
Your blocks should measure 8 ½” square.
Cut eight strips 1 ½” x 42” (the approximate cross grain measurement) from the same four contrasting fabrics. Sew strips around each of the four blocks, using one of the contrasting fabrics that doesn‘t match the particular block you’re sewing it to.
Press open.
Your finished blocks should measure 10 ½” square. Square up if necessary.
Now cut one 8 ½” square from your novelty fabric. Cut one more strip 1 ½” x 42”. (I used a fifth fabric that I will be using for the borders.) Sew the strip around the block and press. This will be your center block as you arrange your blocks in rows of three.
Sew your blocks together and then sew your rows together.
Here is my quilt top so far. I plan on adding a 5” border. Aren’t those little monkeys cute as can be?
Have a great weekend,
Nancy
That monkey fabric is super cute!