At left is an alternate layout for our Bearly a Month pattern. Each bear is stitched in a block instead of all twelve bears on one rectangle. Optional sashing is added between the bear blocks. The finished quilt is slightly larger than the original.
Purchase an extra 1/4 yard (1 1/4 yd. total) for the background blocks.
Cut twelve 8 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangles. Center each bear from left to right. Place the feet 1″ from the bottom raw edge of the rectangle.
When the twelve bears are completed, stitch 1/4″ sashing strips (cut 3/4″ wide) between the bears of each row and between the four rows. Follow the instructions in the pattern to finish the quilt top.