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    Home » Quilts

    Bear Paw Quilt Block Tutorials

    Updated: Sep 30, 2020 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · Leave a Comment

    The block in this week’s Block Challenge is a new one for me! We are learning how to make Bear Paw Quilt Blocks. I have two different Bear Paw block tutorials to share with you today.

    quilt blocks in various colors on white cutting mat

    How is everyone doing with their Block Challenge Quilt Blocks? I’ve mentioed before that I’m really enjoying the process of creating these blocks. I love that I can just make them and not worry too much about what I’m doing with them when I’m done.

    Table of Contents
    • What is the Quilt Block Challenge?
    • About Bear Paw Quilt Blocks
    • How to Get the Bear Paw Block Tutorials
    • Bear Paw Quilt Ideas
    • How to Participate
    • Block Schedule

    What is the Quilt Block Challenge?

    To play along visit the blog of a Riley Blake designer to get a free pattern for a 6″ and 12″ version of the block (Note: you will visit the blogs for the patterns, I will not be reposting their patterns here). Look for the link each week to the pattern. Then just sew the block. How you put the blocks into a quilt is up to you. I plan on sewing along with the challenge and will share with you how I completed my quilt at the end if you need ideas.

    This week the challenge calls for Bear Paw Quilt Blocks.

    quilt blocks in various colors on white cutting mat

    About Bear Paw Quilt Blocks

    The blocks are made up of four “paw” pieces stitched together with a border in between. Most of them feature a contrast square in the center.

    For me, this was the most challenging block I’ve sewn yet. Mostly becuase I chose to make the triangles in my block out of striped fabric.

    When you create half-square triangles out of striped fabric, you get one triangle with stripes facing one way and the other triangle with strips facing the other way.

    When you construct your block you need to make sure that all of the stripes are facing the same directions. For my block the side triangles had stripes horizontally and the top and bottom blocks had vertical stripes.

    It seems like this would be a simple process, yet somehow I messed it up several times!

    How to Get the Bear Paw Block Tutorials

    Amanda Castor form Material Girl Quilts is hosting this week’s block tutorial. She has a free tutorial for both a 6″ & 12″ block on her blog.

    quilt blocks in various colors on white cutting mat

    Bear Paw Quilt Block Tutorial @ Material Girl Quilts

    While you’re over on Amanda’s site be sure to also check out her Quilt Patterns too!

    For my 6″ block I was way too intimitaed to make a bear paw block. The pieces would just be way too small. I was going to only make one of the paws for my quilt and write up a tutorial.

    quilt blocks in various colors on white cutting mat

    Lucky for me, Amy and I had the same idea and she wrote up a tutorial for a 6″ “paw only” block.

    quilt blocks in various colors on white cutting mat

    Paw Only 6″ Quilt Block Tutorial at Diary of a Quilter

    Bear Paw Quilt Ideas

    I also wanted to share this amazing bear paw quilt by Heidi Staples. I love her color choices and the way she combined a bear paw block with a log cabin block.

    quilt blocks in various colors on white cutting mat

    Big Bear Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples

    I took a few minutes to pin all my blocks on my wall. I did it quite haphazardly so don’t pay too close attention.

    quilt blocks in various colors pinned to white wall

    I’m going to start thinking of how I’d like to set the blocks in a quilt when I’m done and how many blocks I want to create in total. I’ll be sure to share with you what I decide.

    How to Participate

    You do not need to use the block tutorial I’ve mentioned in this blog post. You can use any quilt block tutorial that you like. Just make a block! If you have an Instagram be sure to share the block on Instagram with the #RBDblockchallenge. You can find me on Instgram too! I’m @polkadotchair

    Block Schedule

    1. Churn Dash Quilt Block
    2. Log Cabin Quilt Block
    3. Friendship Star Quilt Block
    4. Economy Block
    5. Nine Patch Quilt Block
    6. Shoo-Fly Quilt Block
    7. Sawtooth Star Quilt Block
    8. Bear Paw Quilt Block
    9. Maple Star Quilt Block
    10. Bow Tie Quilt Block
    11. Pinwheel Quilt Block
    12. Maple Leaf Quilt Block

    If you’re new to quilting be sure to check out our list of resources for beginning quilters.

    More Projects You May Enjoy

    • The Heart of Hearts Quilt Along
    • Fabric Flash Mug Rug Pattern
    • Meet My Valentine’s Day Fabric Collection
    • 40 Valentine’s Day Projects to Sew

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

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    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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