Moda Fabrics Monkey Tales Pillow Case and Quilt - Downloadable PDF

Moda Fabrics Monkey Tales Pillow Case and Quilt

Project Overview

This downloadable PDF pattern from Moda Fabrics provides instructions for creating two coordinated home décor items: a decorative pillow case measuring 20" x 30" and a quilt measuring 50" x 70". The designs feature playful monkey-themed imagery, making this an ideal project for adding whimsical character to any room. Both pieces are designed at an intermediate skill level, suitable for quilters with foundational experience in patchwork and appliqué techniques.

Pillow Case Construction

The pillow case measures 20" x 30" and incorporates multiple fabric components. The pillow body is cut from a single rectangle measuring 26½" x 41", which is then assembled with additional accent pieces. A pillow cuff strip measuring 10" x 41" is included to create a finished edge detail. The pattern calls for cutting off selvages before measuring and cutting fabric pieces to ensure accurate dimensions and proper seaming.

Quilt Construction

The quilt measures 50" x 70" and serves as the larger companion piece to the pillow case. The quilt construction begins with a large background piece cut to 55" x the width of fabric, providing ample space for the featured design elements. The quilt uses a structured patchwork foundation combined with appliqué embellishment.

Patchwork Technique

The patchwork component utilizes seven fat quarters as the primary fabric sources. From each fat quarter, the pattern requires cutting specific pieces in a systematic manner: one 10½" square, one 5½" x 10½" rectangle, three 5½" squares, one 3" x 5½" rectangle, and one 3" x 10½" rectangle. This organized cutting method ensures efficient fabric usage and creates uniform pieces for assembly. All seams are sewn using a ¼" seam allowance, a standard measurement in quilting that allows for precise piecing. After seaming, fabric pieces are pressed in the direction indicated by arrows on the pattern, which helps reduce bulk and ensures proper alignment of subsequent seams.

Fusible Appliqué Technique

The monkey face, body, and skateboard elements are created using the fusible appliqué method. This technique involves using lightweight fusible web to bond fabric shapes permanently to the background fabric. A critical step in fusible appliqué is reversing all templates before tracing them onto the fusible web, ensuring that the final design appears in the correct orientation once fused and viewed from the front of the project. This technique allows for precise, detailed shapes that would be difficult to achieve through patchwork alone.

Binding and Finishing

The pattern includes binding strips cut at 2½" x width of fabric, with seven strips total required. Six of these strips are sewn end to end to create continuous binding for the quilt edges, while one strip is set aside for the pillow accent detail. This binding finishes the raw edges of both projects with a professional appearance.

Materials and Preparation

The pattern requires seven coordinating fat quarters for the patchwork sections, background fabric, and binding fabric from the Moda Fabrics Monkey Tales collection. An important preparation note: the template pages must be printed on 11" x 17" paper to ensure templates are the correct size for accurate tracing and cutting. Standard quilting supplies including a rotary cutter, cutting mat, quilting ruler, and pressing equipment are necessary for completing this project.

Skill Level Considerations

Classified as intermediate difficulty, this pattern assumes familiarity with basic quilting techniques including accurate cutting, ¼" seam allowances, and pressing methods. The combination of patchwork piecing and fusible appliqué provides an opportunity to practice multiple techniques within a single project, making it suitable for quilters looking to expand their skill set while creating coordinated home décor pieces.