Sampler Quilt - Block 6 Bear Paw

The Bear Paw should really be our signature block .  Made up of 4 HSTs, one large square and one smaller square.  The fiddliest bit is simple making sure you have you HSTs round the right way.

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The block is a evolution of the Sawtooth star block (still to come) and dates back to early frontier America and tales of bears in the areas.

The 6x6" square is a scant bigger than you need but to cut the exact measurement is too fiddly so simple square up at the end. You can use our Square Rulers or any of our longer rulers following the marking on your cutting mat.

You should be well versed in HSTs by now.  We have used our Wooden Point Turner to mark the diagonal line, but you can use any marking tool: chalk, friction pen, water erasable. 

Our Mini Iron and new Wool Pressing Mats are handy here.

Use the 45 degree line on your cutting mat, such as our Rotating Cutting Mat or use a Square Ruler to trim the block.  Line the 45 degree line up on one of the diagonal lines on the block, move the ruler down diagonally to 4 1/2" and trim.  Repeat this on all sides for all 4 HSTs.  Once trimmed use this above layout guide to ensure you have your HSTs round the right way.

So here you are making the side and bottom of the block.  Quilting Clips can help you join the squares and make sure you have things in the right order.

Stitch the side, then the bottom, aligning everything to the bottom right corner of square 3.  Square 3 will be a scant too big but you'll square it up in the next step.

Square up your block to 8 1/2".  Our Rotating Cutting Mat and 9 1/2" ruler is helpful here.  And there you have your completed Pear Paw black!

As ever you will find all the tools you need on our website and continued support on our Facebook Community, where you can ask questions and share your progress.

Download the Bear Paw pattern here.The