Rhonda

This week we are going to try the Bear's Paw keychain.
This isn't hard. You can use several differant sizes. The size of your keychain will depend on whether you make one Bear Paw or all 4 Bear's Paws into the quilt block.

We'll start with the one Bear Paw. This one I used the 1 1/2" template.

One of the problems I had when making these over the years is that my paws would not always be the same size. so when I discovered the cut down method I applied it to the Bear's Paw and it helps to keep them the same size.

So I cut swatches for the paws and cut down after I have the paw sewn together. It takes away some of the math and makes life easier. The size of the swatch depends on the size of blocks you choose to use. If you use a 1 1/2" then your corner swatch needs to be bigger than the 1 1/2". The swatch for the center needs to be bigger than the two blocks sewn together. So for the 1 1/2" you would get 2 1/2" when two blocks are sewn so you need a swatch about 3".

Rhonda

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Rhonda

Tack the seams together and pin the ends before you sew the two halves together.

Rhonda

Now trim the Bear's Paw to a square.

Rhonda

To finish this keychain you will find the directions for adding the loop and finishing this keychain in the first part of this class.

Here is the link: you will find the directions about half way down the page.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43602-1.htm

Rhonda

Now lots of people wonder how I can do the tiny stuff I do. I am going to show you how I do the tiny Bear's Paws.

I start with a HST and I cut it down to the size I want to use.

This first one I used a 1 1/4" HST and I cut it to 3/4". I only cut one side so you end up with a piece that is 1 1/4" long by 3/4" wide. You can use a 1" HST with out any cutting or you can cut down a 1 1/2" HST to a 1" to make your BPS. It is up to you what size you want to aim for. Just remember you only cut the one side so it is not so small to handle. You will trim it down later.

Rhonda

OK I wanted to show a complete Bear's Paw block so I started with 1 1/4" HSTs. I think I should have used 1" instead as the end resulting block is bigger than I would like.

As I walked you through the steps to making one paw above I won't repeat that part.

Here you can see how I add the sashings with the cut down method.

Rhonda

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Rhonda

Ok now to finish up this Bear's Paw quilt block. I hope you have had fun watching this and I hope you try one for yourself. You can make them any size you like. So don't let it intimidate you. It is easy to make tiny Bear's Paws if you know the tricks!!