How to Sew a Bear's Paw Quilt Block
There are several variations of the Bear's Paw Quilt pattern. The experience level in terms of difficulty and skill requirements is intermediate for this craft project. A single block may be quilted and framed as fabric art and a terrific example of one's quilting prowess.
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Things You'll Need
- 3 cotton fabrics in red, white and blue
- Cotton sewing thread
- Scissors
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Straight pins
- Sewing needles
- Quilt templates
- Straight edge
- Marking pencil
- Ruler, tape measure
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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Cutting and Piecing
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1
Purchase 100 percent cotton fabrics in red, white and blue. Vary the color scheme with any complementing prints or solids as desired. Wash and iron the fabric before cutting to prevent shrinkage later.
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2
Align a 2 3/8 inch red square atop a 2 3/8 inch white square. Use a fine-point disappearing marker and a straight edge and draw corner to corner across the white square. Stitch 1/4 inch from the line along both sides of the line. Cut along the diagonal line, open the pieced squares and press flat.
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3
Repeat the process in Step 2 for a total of 4 two-colored blocks. Press them flat, blocking the seams. Stitch two of the block together, aligning the red edge of one with the white edge of the other. Sew two two-block strips. Note the "sawtooth" pattern.
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4
Lay one of the two-block strips from Step 3 on a flat surface. Position it vertically with the red portion of the squares to the upper right. Pin the 2 1/4 inch white square to the top edge and sew in place to create a three-block strip.
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5
Place a blue 3 7/8 inch square on a same-size white square and align the edges. Use the technique described in Step 2 to create two blue and white blocks. Set one of the completed blocks aside.
Assembling the Block
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6
Lay the large blue and white block on the work surface so that the blue section is to the bottom right. Align the two-block red and white sawtooth strip across the top edge of the blue and white block.
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7
Pin the two-block strip to the blue and white square, right sides together. Stitch in place. Press and block the seams.
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8
Place the joined blocks on the work surface again. Position the blue area to the bottom right.
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9
Align the three-block strip created in Section I, Step 4 along the left side of the joined blocks so that the white square is at the top. Place right sides together, pin and stitch in place.
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10
Press the completed block. Trim any bulk from the seams.
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11
Layer the finished block with backing fabric and batting. Quilt the block to accentuate the design. Finish by binding the edges.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Block the seams by pressing both layers of the seam in one direction. Alternate the direction of the pressing throughout the work to avoid bulk.
Cut two 2 3/8 inch squares from both the red and the white fabric. Cut one 2 1/4 square from the white fabric.
Cut one 3 7/8 inch square from the white fabric and another from the blue fabric.
The instructions traditionally call for red, white and blue fabric, which serve to clarify the directions for piecing the block. Feel free to substitute your favorite colors in prints or solids. (See Resources)
