This week we will continue with some Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and strip piecing to make a Monkey Wrench Block.

You will need 3 Colors and a Background Fabric.

Fabric A - Color 1

Fabric B - Color 2

Fabric C - Color 3

Fabric D - Background

Cutting:

 Fabric A - Cut 2 - 5" squares

Fabric B - Cut 1 - 2 1/2" x 19" strip

Fabric C - Cut 1 - 4 1/2" square

Fabric D - Cut 2 - 5" squares

Fabric D - Cut 1 - 2 1/2" x 19" strip

Sewing:

Using a a ¼” Marking tool (such as the Magic Wand by Studio 180) mark the sew lines on the wrong side of the Fabric D – 5” squares. (Note: you can also draw a diagonal line down the center and then sew ¼” on either side of that line)

Place the Fabric D squares from above, right sides together with the Fabric A – 5” squares. Sew on the drawn lines.

Cut the above squares apart down the diagonal in between your sew lines.

Press toward Fabric A. You will have 4 slightly oversized Half Square Triangles (HSTs).

Trim the HSTs to 4 ½” square. (I like using the Bloc Loc Rulers to trim down my HSTs. The groove in the ruler fits snug against your seam and you can easily trim your HSTs perfectly.)

Sew the Fabric B 2 1/2" x 19" strip to the Fabric D 2 1/2" x 19" strip. Press toward Fabric B.

Cut the above strip set into 4 - 4 1/2" square segments.

To complete your Monkey Wrench Block, lay out the pieces of your block as shown.

Sew the blocks together into 3 rows and press seams toward Fabric B/D squares. 

Sew the 3 rows together to complete the block. Press seams toward the middle row.

Great job...you finished the Monkey Wrench Block!

Don’t forget to post a picture of your block on the Ruth’s Stitchery Facebook page to be entered into January’s drawing.