Intermediate block
Bear paw quilt pattern
A queen-size bear paw quilt is 90″ × 104″: 42 14″ blocks and a 3″ border. It takes 11⅜ yd of fabric for the top and binding, plus 8¼ yd of 42″ fabric for the backing. Four paws with sharp claws around a small centre. The same block goes by other names too, among them Hand of Friendship and Duck’s Foot in the Mud.
How much fabric for a bear paw quilt
The same quilt in three sizes, with a 3″ border and 2½″ binding. Yardage is for 42″ of usable width after trimming selvages, rounded up to the next ⅛ yard with a little extra.
| Throw | Queen | King | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished size | 62″ × 76″ | 90″ × 104″ | 104″ × 104″ |
| Blocks | 4 × 5 = 20 | 6 × 7 = 42 | 7 × 7 = 49 |
| Cream (blocks, half-square triangles) | 2⅜ yd | 4¾ yd | 5½ yd |
| Forest (blocks, half-square triangles, border, binding) | 3¾ yd | 6⅝ yd | 7⅜ yd |
| Top and binding | 6⅛ yd | 11⅜ yd | 12⅞ yd |
| Backing (42″ fabric) | 4¾ yd | 8¼ yd | 9⅜ yd |
| Binding | 8 strips 2½″ × WOF | 11 strips 2½″ × WOF | 11 strips 2½″ × WOF |
| Batting | 70″ × 84″ (twin) | 98″ × 112″ (king) | 112″ × 112″ (king) |
Cutting for one bear paw block
Four big paw squares, sixteen small half-square triangle "claws", corner squares and a sashing cross. All sizes include ¼″ seam allowances. Half-square triangles are made two at a time: cut squares the finished size plus ⅞″, pair a light and a dark, sew ¼″ each side of the diagonal and cut apart.
| Fabric | 7″ block | 10½″ block | 14″ block |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background | 4 squares 1½″ | 4 squares 2″ | 4 squares 2½″ |
| Paws | 4 squares 2½″ | 4 squares 3½″ | 4 squares 4½″ |
| Background | 4 rectangles 1½″ × 3½″ | 4 rectangles 2″ × 5″ | 4 rectangles 2½″ × 6½″ |
| Paws | 1 square 1½″ | 1 square 2″ | 1 square 2½″ |
| Background | 8 squares 1⅞″, cut once on the diagonal | 8 squares 2⅜″, cut once on the diagonal | 8 squares 2⅞″, cut once on the diagonal |
| Paws | 8 squares 1⅞″, cut once on the diagonal | 8 squares 2⅜″, cut once on the diagonal | 8 squares 2⅞″, cut once on the diagonal |
Block diagram
- A Background (Cream)
- B Paws (Forest)
Download the block diagram (SVG)
Prints sharp at any size. Use it to plan colours with pencils, or as a pressing guide.
Questions
How much fabric do I need for a queen bear paw quilt?
About 11⅜ yd for the top and binding (4¾ yd of cream, 6⅝ yd of forest), plus 8¼ yd of backing. That is for 90″ × 104″ with 14″ blocks, planned on 42″ of usable fabric width with a little extra.
What size is a bear paw block?
It is drawn on a 7 × 7 grid, so it works best at 7", 10 1/2", 14" finished. 14" is the most common size.
Is bear paw good for beginners?
It suits a quilter with a few quilts behind them: there are many points to match. Make one test block first.
Can I use this pattern for free?
Yes. Bear paw is a traditional block in the public domain. The diagram and yardage on this page are free; the designer lets you change colours, size and borders and see the new yardage.
Updated November 9, 2026