SeeMyQuiltBear Paw quilt block
Four paws, each a large square with triangle claws, joined by sashing and a center square. Also called Bear's Paw.
Cutting chart by block size
7" Bear Paw (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Main | 8 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 rectangles | 3 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Background | 8 squares | 1 7/8" × 1 7/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" | – |
10 1/2" Bear Paw (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 3 1/2" × 3 1/2" | – |
| Main | 8 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 rectangles | 5" × 2" | – |
| Background | 8 squares | 2 3/8" × 2 3/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2" × 2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 2" × 2" | – |
14" Bear Paw (cut for one block)
| Fabric | Cut | Size | Then |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 4 squares | 4 1/2" × 4 1/2" | – |
| Main | 8 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 rectangles | 6 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Background | 8 squares | 2 7/8" × 2 7/8" | 16 triangles (cut once on the diagonal) |
| Background | 4 squares | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
| Accent | 1 square | 2 1/2" × 2 1/2" | – |
How to make a 14" Bear Paw block
- Cut the pieces in the chart above. All measurements include a 1/4" seam allowance.
- Cut the squares marked "cut once" in half on the diagonal. Each gives two triangles. Sew them to their neighbours along the long edge first and press toward the darker fabric.
- Lay all the pieces out as in the diagram. The block is a 7 × 7 grid, and each cell finishes at 2". Sew neighbouring pieces into sections, then the sections into rows, pressing seams in opposite directions from row to row.
- Join the rows. The block should measure 14 1/2" now and 14" once it is sewn into the quilt.
Yardage for a Bear Paw quilt (14" blocks)
| Quilt size | Blocks | Finished size | Main | Background | Accent | Border & binding | Backing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 2 × 3 (6) | 34" × 48" | 7/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1/8 yd | 7/8 yd | 1 3/4 yd |
| Lap | 3 × 4 (12) | 48" × 62" | 1 1/2 yd | 1 1/2 yd | 1/8 yd | 1 1/8 yd | 4 yd |
| Throw | 4 × 5 (20) | 62" × 76" | 2 3/8 yd | 2 5/8 yd | 1/4 yd | 1 3/8 yd | 4 3/4 yd |
| Twin | 5 × 6 (30) | 76" × 90" | 3 5/8 yd | 3 3/4 yd | 1/4 yd | 1 5/8 yd | 5 1/2 yd |
| Queen | 6 × 6 (36) | 90" × 90" | 4 1/8 yd | 4 3/8 yd | 1/4 yd | 1 3/4 yd | 8 1/4 yd |
| King | 7 × 7 (49) | 104" × 104" | 5 1/2 yd | 6 yd | 3/8 yd | 2 yd | 9 1/2 yd |
Blocks side by side with a 3" border, 2 1/2" binding, 42" usable width and 10% extra.
Four ways to set it
A throw quilt of 14" Bear Paw blocks in each setting.
| Setting | Blocks | Finished size | Extra fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side by side | 20 | 62" × 76" | – |
| With sashing | 16 | 68" × 68" | Sashing 1 yd, Cornerstones 1/8 yd |
| Alternating plain blocks | 10 pieced + 10 plain | 62" × 76" | Plain blocks 2 1/4 yd |
| On point | 13 | 65 1/2" × 65 1/2" | Setting triangles 1 5/8 yd |
See Bear Paw in your own fabrics
What to buy
| Fabric | Yardage | Cut |
|---|
Based on 42" usable fabric width, 1/4" seams and 10% extra. Your photos stay on your device.
Questions
How many fabrics does a Bear Paw block need?
Three: main, background and accent. Choose a main fabric that contrasts clearly with the background so the design reads from a distance.
What size pieces do I cut for a 14 inch Bear Paw?
4 main squares at 4 1/2" × 4 1/2"; 8 main squares at 2 7/8" × 2 7/8"; 4 background rectangles at 6 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 8 background squares at 2 7/8" × 2 7/8"; 4 background squares at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2"; 1 accent square at 2 1/2" × 2 1/2".
How many Bear Paw blocks for a lap quilt?
12 blocks at 14", set 3 by 4 with a 3" border, make a 48" × 62" quilt.
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