Bear's Paws This is the Bear's Paw block. I chose to do my sample block with six different fabrics. However, this block is just as pretty when done in just two colors. Try it both ways, and see which one you like. For the Bear's Paw block you need -     from each blue gray cut two 2 5/8 inch squares and one 4 inch square     from red cut one 2 inch square     from your background fabric cut eight 2 5/8 inch squares     and 4 rectangles 2 inch x 5 3/4 inch, and 4 squares 2 1/4 inch I will be working on the paw in the upper right hand corner first. You will follow the same directions for all four paws. First we'll make diagonal half squares with the background 2 5/8 inch squares and the blue gray 2 5/8 inch square. You can see directions on how to make diagonal half squares here. Place a background 2 5/8 inch squares and a blue gray 2 5/8 inch squares right sides together. Carefully draw a line down the center, corner to corner, diagonally across the square. (This will be a cutting line when you are finished.) If you have a true 1/4 inch foot on your machine, you can sew on either side of this drawn line. If not, you will have to draw a second line on either side, exactly 1/4 inch from the first line. This will be your sewing line. After you have sewn on your sewing line, you will cut this square in half on your cutting line. You will now have two diagonal half-squares. You will do this with all of the 2 5/8 inch blue gray squares and background squares. Now attach two diagonal half squares and a plain 2 1/4 inch background square. Watch the direction your points are going in. Sew two more diagonal half squares together, be sure to pay close attention to the direction the points go in, they are not the same as the first ones you made. Attach that to the 4 inch matching square. Now attach the first unit you made with this last one. Repeat the directions above to complete all four paw units. Now we'll put them together. Sew two paw units to either side of a 2 inch x 5 3/4 inch rectangle. Sew the red square between the remaining 2 inch x 5 3/4 inch rectangles Sew the remaining two paws on either side of the remaining 2 inch x 5 3/4 inch rectangle. Now sew it all together. Your finished Bear's Paw block should measure exactly 12 1/2 inches.     Here are two EQ5 quilts, one using the blocks I made above, with sashing and one using just two colors set with no sashing. This pattern can be used for personal use only and can not be used commercially without the owner's permission. No copies may be made without the owner's permission. This includes the patterns as well as any graphics and/or instructions that are associated with a pattern. The content on these pages, including text and images are the sole property of the Delaware Quilts and may not be used in any manner without consent. All Rights Reserved. Bear's Paw © Delaware Quilts January 2003 Updated August 31, 2025 |Home| Quilts| Email|