Traditional / Public Domain — a classic frontier pattern from the early 1800s
A beloved traditional block featuring four 'paw' units surrounding a center square. Each paw is made from half-square triangle 'claws' and small squares, creating a woodland-inspired design that has been a quilting classic since the early 1800s. The block requires precise construction of many small units.
The Bear's Paw pattern originated in the frontier communities of the early 1800s where encounters with bears were a real part of daily life. The design cleverly represents a bear's footprint with its distinctive claw marks. It was especially popular in the Pacific Northwest and Appalachian regions.
In different regions, this pattern acquired different names reflecting local culture: 'Duck's Foot in the Mud' near waterfowl habitats, 'Hand of Friendship' in Quaker communities, and 'Cat's Paw' in more domestic settings. The pattern was a rite of passage for quilters — mastering its many small HSTs proved a quilter's skill.
Also known as: Duck's Foot in the Mud, Hand of Friendship, Cat's Paw, Best Friend
finished Block Size
12"
seam Allowance
1/4"
grid Basis
7x7 grid (center square + 4 paw units + sashing)
units Required
16 small HSTs + 4 large squares + 4 small squares + 1 center + sashing strips
All measurements include 1/4" seam allowance unless noted.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut Size | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center Square | Center | 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" | 1 | — |
| Paw Pad Square | Dark | 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" | 4 | Large square in each paw |
| HST Square | Dark | 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" | 8 | For 16 claw HSTs |
| HST Square | Light | 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" | 8 | For 16 claw HSTs |
| Corner Square | Light | 2" x 2" | 4 | Small squares between claws |
| Sashing Strip | Light | 2" x 6 1/2" | 4 | Between paws |
| Sashing Square | Light | 2" x 3 1/2" | 4 | Connects sashing to center |
Draw diagonal lines on the wrong side of all 8 light 2 3/8" squares. Pair with dark squares, right sides together. Sew 1/4" from both sides of the line. Cut on the line. Press toward dark. Makes 16 HSTs.
Tip: Trim each HST to exactly 2" square. With 16 tiny units, precision is everything.
For each paw: Arrange 4 HSTs with one 2" background square in a small four-patch, with the dark triangles pointing toward the upper-left corner (the claw direction). Sew into a 2x2 unit. Then sew this claw unit to the right side of a 3 1/2" dark paw-pad square. Each finished paw measures 3 1/2" x 6 1/2".
Arrange: Row 1 = Paw Unit (claws upper-right) + sashing (2" x 6 1/2") + Paw Unit (claws upper-left). Sew together. Make 2 paw rows.
Sew: Sashing strip (2" x 3 1/2") + Center Square (3 1/2") + Sashing strip (2" x 3 1/2"). This center row should be the same width as the paw rows.
Sew: Top paw row + Center sashing row + Bottom paw row. Press seams toward the center.
Tip: Pay attention to paw orientation — all four paws should point outward from the center, like a real bear track.
Press the completed block. It should measure 12 1/2" square. Verify that all 16 claw points are sharp.
See how this traditional pattern looks in different color combinations.
Straight set with sashing — frames each bear track
Alternating with plain blocks
Rotating paw directions for a windmill effect