Monkey Wrench Tutorial

I'm writing this tutorial for my Treadle On group, for a block exchange.

Rules for the TOBE (Treadle On Block Exchange):
Background fabric is muslin
Monkey Wrench fabric is 1930's reproduction fabrics
*All fabrics MUST be pre-washed, no starch (allergies)
All blocks must be made on a treadle or hand crank sewing machine.
8 blocks is a set, maximum of 4 sets (different fabrics for each set)


Monkey Wrench 10 inch block (10.5" unfinished)

10.5" unfinished Monkey Wrench block

Cut:
Muslin (background fabric)
2   5 1/4" squares
1   2 1/2" x 20" strip
1   2 1/2" square

1930's Reproduction fabric (Monkey Wrench)
2   5 1/4" squares
1   2 1/2" x 20" strip

Make 4 half square triangles. 
Draw 2 lines, 1/4" from the center across both 5 1/4" muslin squares, diagonally. 

lines drawn 1/4" from center on both sides

With right sides together, stitch on each line.  Using a rotary cutter, cut diagonally to separate the triangles.

stitched on both lines, then cut

Finger press open, with the seams towards the reproduction fabric. Iron.

Trim to 4 1/2" square. 

Sew Strip units:

Sew the 2 1/2  x 20" muslin and 1930's reproduction strips right sides together.  Finger press open, then iron towards the 1930's fabric.

From the strip, cut 4 units, 2 1/2" x 4 1/2".  You will have extra fabric (I had enough to cut 8 units).

Sewing the block together:

Lay out the pieces, making sure that the muslin is facing the outside of the block, and the 1930's fabric is facing inwards.

laid out, ready to sew

Sew the top row together, then the middle row, and last, the bottom row.

Press like shown in the photo below (towards the middle on the top and bottom rows, and towards the outside edges for the middle row).

Sew the rows together.  Press both rows towards the middle.

back of block, showing seams pressed

Your block is finished (but you aren't).  You still need to make another half square triangle for your signature block.  You'll be making another 4 1/2" HST for your signature block, using the same fabrics as in your first block.

for signature block

Now, make 7 more blocks for a set, and a signature block to go with each block you make. 


Here is a link to a PDF of this tutorial.