Sock Inspired Monkey

by Sarah
(Waterford, MI, USA)

I bought a normally expensive (but on clearance because it was torn) stuffed toy at a gift shop. My mom and I carefully took the "sock" monkey apart and made our own, simplified pattern. We played quite a bit with proportions.

The body, legs, tail and arms are all simple rectangles with rounded ends. The head and the "butt" are the only round pieces. The head is attached by hand. I sew everything with a 1/2-inch seam, because I find it is simpler and makes my round seams smoother, then trim them to 1/4-inch.

I have made the monkeys with stretch denim, fleece, knits and even terrycloth. A quarter-yard of fabric makes at least 3 monkeys, especially if it has 2-way stretch.