This is a picture of the entire sampler quilt from Strip Quilting Projects Book 7. The Bear Paw block is top left.

Using Kaye's Starmaker 8 Master Template

Fabric Requirement:

1/3 yd each of 2 different fabrics, one light and one med dark or dark

The Bear Paw Quilt block is made up of 4 different sections - each forming a "paw" complete with "claws".

Step 1: Cut and sew diagonal half-squares.

• Make 4 large diagonal 1/2 squares
  Make 16 small diagonal 1/2 squares
  

To cut fabric into bias strips use the Starmaker 8 to cut the first strip Put the 4 angle of the Starmaker 8 at one corner of the fabric. Cut along the diagonal, or long edge of the Starmaker tool. The length of the first bias strip will be 17" long. Several shorter strips can be cut fom the small triangle at the corner of the fabric. Fold the fabric in half with the diagonally cut (bias) edges even. Cut strips3-3/8" wide for the larger 1/2 squares and 2" wide for the smaller 1/2 squares.

Step 2: Sew the bias strips into tubes Place two bias strips, right sides together. Sew these strips into tubes by sewing in one direction on one side, the opposite direction on the other side. Press this bias tube.

Step 3: Cut the bias tube into triangles Use the Starmaker 8 to cut the bias tube: Place the "4" angle fo the Starmaker 8 even with the top of the strip. Keep the lines on the Starmaker 8 parallel to the seam line on the bias tube. Cut on both sides of the Starmaker 8. Turn the Starmaker 8 upside down to cut the second triangle. Continue cutting triangles until you have enough for the design.

Step 4: Remove the stitches at the point of the triangles There are only 3 or 4 stitches at the point.

Step 6: Cut a straight strip for the small square Either pull the stitches out of use a seam ripper. Cut a straight strip 2-1/2" x 10".

Step 7: Sew each quarter of the block together Sew the two small diagonal half-squares at the top of the block together for each of the 4 sections. Sew the two small diagonal half-squares at the side of the block together for each of the 4 sections. Sew the two small diagonal half-squares at the top to the large half-square. Sew the groups of two small diagonal halfsquares to the 2-1/2" straight strip.
Press seam allowances toward the strip. Cut the strip even with the diagonal half-squares. Sew this row, made up of two diagonal half-squares and a square, to the large half-square.
Press seam allowances.

Step 5: Press the seam allowances Press seam allowances of the triangles toward the darker fabric. Cut off the small triangle points that extend past the half-square.

Step 8: Sew the block together Sew the four parts of the block together. Starting in the upper left hand corner, each block is turned 90 degrees, which looks like the bear is walking in circles.