The monkey wrench quilt block is a nine-patch format using half square triangles, center square and strip sets, perfect for beginners! The layout an uneven nine patch since the center square and the center side strip sets are half the size of the corner squares. It generally has with two fabrics, but you could use a third color as the center square if you’d like.
This quilt block was first known when published in 1898 in the Ohio Farmer. It is a popular block for block exchanges and is referred to by many other names such as Alaska Homestead, Dragon’s Head, Double Wrench and Hole in the Barn.
It is a variation of the Churn Dash quilt block.
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How is this quilt block different than the Churn Dash quilt block?
With the churn dash quilt block all of the components are the same size and are squares – the corner half square triangles, center square and side strip blocks.
With the monkey wrench quilt block, the corners are all half square triangles, the center square is one-fourth the size of the corner squares which makes the side strip blocks twice as long as wide. Here are side-by-side examples:
Ready to make this quilt block? Here is how to lay out the fabrics:
And here is a fabric calculator for popular sizes for finished blocks. Use this as a cutting guide for your fabrics. You’ll use two fabrics to make this block.
If you plan to make a large quilt, check out our article on the different ways to make half square triangles! It’s super easy to make them eight (8) at a time!
This is a great block for beginners with three simple components – strip sets, half square triangles and a center square.
Design Idea: Make it scrappy! This is a perfect quilt pattern to use up your scraps! Instead of using two colors, use light and dark fabrics for the components. Make half square triangles that are light and dark, and strip sets from lights and darks. Pick one or the other for the center square and have some fun!
Browse through more free quilt patterns on Create Whimsy.
Check out all of our quilting projects and inspiration for your next project!