I’ve been sewing bear paw blocks as we work through The Quilter’s Field Guide to Color, without a definitely plan for how to make them into a quilt. Maybe you’ve been doing the same? That’s good - it’s helped us focus on the color exercises themselves. I hope you’ve enjoyed!

Now I’m ready to see what I can do with the blocks I have made. There are three quilt arrangement ideas presented in the book for using the bear paw blocks. Get started in this phase on page 112.

First, I spread out my blocks in the Bear Tracks quilt arrangement, including a few without green backgrounds. These are random blocks made during the book-creation process. But, meh, I’m not feeling this arrangement today.

Next I tried the Modular arrangement, and it really hit the spot. I love the vivid green triangles and squares made where the block backgrounds merge. I’ll stick with just the green-background blocks. Maybe my miss-fit blocks will end up on the quilt back.

If you decide to go with Modular or Flower Pod blocks, flip back to page 13 to learn how to transform your single bear paw blocks into these block formations.

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Purple Stitches

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Now I’m grouping my bear paw blocks into quartets, loosely by color, and noticing where I should create new blocks to fill-out collections. I already have nearly enough for a baby quilt. This will be a fun, scrappy little quilt!

And look who helped me piece Modular blocks this weekend. Once fabrics are cut and bear paws are grouped, this is the perfect kind of relaxing sewing for a Sunday afternoon with my girlie.

Wishing you joy as you gather your blocks into a quilt top!