How to Make a Bear Paw Quilt Block

This bear paw quilt block pattern is simple to make and can be made with all sorts of fabric designs.

This Bear Paw Quilt Block is a traditional block pattern that is also the next quilt block for our Block of the Month quilt along. You can master making this wonderful bear paw pattern in a matter of minutes when you watch this super helpful video tutorial.

Whether you have been quilting for years or just jumped into our BOM videos on a whim, this is the perfect beginner quilting project. Plus, this is a staple quilt block pattern for any quilter to know and recreate, so just get started!

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Watch and Learn

Materials

PDF pattern (click to download)
Fabric A: 4 squares, each 5-1/4" x 5-1/4" and 1 square, 8-1/2" x 8-1/2"
Fabric B: 4 squares, each 5-1/4" x 5-1/4" and 1 square, 4-1/2" x 4-1/2"
Rotary cutter
Ruler
Marking pen
Sewing machine

Pattern

Step 1

Cut Fabric A and B to the correct sizes (see Materials List above).

Note: Set aside the 4-1/2" x 4-1/2" square you cut from Fabric B as you will not need it until later and do not want to get it confused with the others.

Step 2

Draw diagonal lines across the backs of the 5-1/4" Fabric A squares, from one corner to the other.

Step 3

Place a Fabric A square on top of a Fabric B square, right sides together.

Step 4

Stitch a 1/4" seam on either side of the line you drew with the marker in Step 2.

Step 5

Cut along the marked line, leaving a quarter inch seam allowance on both sides.

Step 6

Open, pressing seam allowance towards the Fabric B piece.

Step 7

Repeat for remaining three sets.

Step 8

Square up the four squares to 4-1/2" each.

Step 9

Arrange all the units into a bear paw shape.

Step 10

Stitch the two side units together, using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

Step 11

Stitch the top three units together. Press.

Note: Press both sides to be sure there are no folds in the seams.

Step 12

Lay out your block again to make sure everything is aligned. Stitch the two side units to the large square. Press.

Tip: If you want your squares to be perfect, you want to stitch right where the two previous stitched lines intersect.

Step 13

Stitch the bottom to the top. Press.

Tip: This time, you will have a point covering the stitches. To get the stitch perfectly aligned, pay close attention to the underlying stitches.