Bear’s Paw Quilt Block Tutorial
Sampler Sew Along Block 9
The Bear’s Paw block is a classic you’re likely familiar with. It’s also commonly known as Bear’s Claw. This is a simple block to make as it’s composed of only squares, Half Square Triangles (HST’s), and rectangles.
The finished size of the block is 12” (the unfinished size is 12 1/2”) because that’s what we’re working with in the sew along. As with all quilt blocks you can change the size of the block by changing the size of the pieces within which is explained in this post. In the following instructions I will refer to the colors as the ones I chose for my white background block: white, stripes, and sky blue. As you plan your block, swap my colors for your personal choices. For the natural dyers the color recipe I chose for my block on the left in the photo above is light indigo blue.
Finished Block Size 12”
1/4” seam allowance
Cut List
For the HST’s:
Cut 8 white squares: 2 3/4”
Cut 8 light blue squares: 2 3/4”
For the Corner Squares:
Cut 4 white squares 2 1/4”
For the Center Square:
Cut 1 stripe square: 2”
For the Large Inner Squares:
Cut 4 light blue squares: 4”
For the Rectangle Crosses:
Cut 4 white rectangles: 2” x 5.75”
I totally forgot to add my 4 white 2 1/4” corner squares in the photo so that is them on the right!
Make the HST’s
Gather the 8 white and 8 light blue squares you cut for your HST’s and head over to my HST tutorial. Scroll to the part where it says “Assemble HST’s” and follow the instructions from there. With the 8 pairs of white and light blue squares you will end up with 16 HST’s. When you get to the trimming part of the tutorial, trim your HST’s to 2 1/4”.
Now (below) we have all the pieces we need to make a Bear’s Paw Block! Again I added the 4 white 2 1/4” corner squares on the right because I forgot to include them in the photo.
Assemble the pieces on your work surface as shown below.
Sew the HST’s and corner squares together in pairs and groups of 3 as shown below. Press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.
Sew each pair of HST’s to the 4” light blue squares as shown below. Press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.
Sew each group of 3 to each piece as shown below being sure to match the seams by pinning. Press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.
Gather your rectangle cross pieces and your center square and sew the pieces together as shown below to create 3 horizontal rows. Press the seams open or to the side if you prefer.
Sew the 3 horizontal rows together being sure to match the seams by pinning. Press all the seams open or to the side if you prefer.
And there we have a Bear’s Paw block!
I’m so thrilled with how the sew along blocks are looking together! Next week we will somehow already be halfway through this adventure. If you have any questions please be sure to ask in the comment section below. Please continue to use the tag #folksamplersewalong on Instagram when sharing your work so everyone can see. It’s been so much fun to see the beautiful work you’re all creating.
