Saturday, October 9, 2021

Bear Paws 4 and 5..............


The Bear Paw block is a traditional block from many many years ago.  It is not Bear Claw.  There is no such pattern by that name in Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Quilt Blocks and she has done extensive research.  In her book it is Bear's Paw not Bear Paw as I have been calling it but my way is easier to type.  Here is block 4.  I could have used muslin for the light fabric or a flat tone on tone but I like action in my prints.


Block 5 is made with very saturated colors and has the more traditional coloring of the original block.








Here is an overall view of where I am so far.  I'm still trying to add some blues and greens into the blocks but haven't found the right combination yet.
















I put all of the Autumn Coneflower 2 blocks on the double design wall.  Now I need to look at it several times a day and see if there is any block I need to pull out and make a substitute for.  At this point I'm wondering if I have too much purple in it so I have a long way to go before this will be sewn together.  The camera has made some of the purples more blue than they are in real life.

12 comments:

Lesley Gilbert said...

As you may remember I'm not a big fan of browns and greens, though you have surprised me with some of your blocks in the past. The colours in the Coneflower blocks are more my colour palette. The weather has been dry and sunny the past 3 days - perfect for me.
I finally got back to sewing yesterday making 2 shopper totes, using a new sewing pattern found on YT that makes it reversible, boxed bottoms and the inner seams sewn together inside. Now I'm going to make more to raise money for a local charity and then maybe for Xmas gifts - we all need fabric bags, to get away from plastics. My family have all they need and it's difficult what to make for Xmas. My mojo needed a kick up the backside and this has finally got me wanting to sew again. Have a lovely creative weekend :)

sewyouquilt2 said...

Love love love that bears paw
Sooooo pretty

Linda Swanekamp said...

Oh, love the coneflower. The colors are so beautiful! Thanks for the education on Bear Paw.

JustGail said...

Blue would be wonderful with those browns - like the crunchy brown oak tree leaves against brilliant blue autumn sky when you look up. Though autumn sky blue might overpower those browns? Based on the photo, *I* don't think there's too much purple. But then, I'm rather fond of the old fashioned purple cone flowers. At least they have the gumption to hang on year after year, unlike those fancy new varieties that are gone after the first winter.

Julierose said...

Gorgeous Bear's Paw! I love those browns and golds...Autumn Coneflower is so evocative of those very flowers in the Fall...nice work on this one...hugs, Julierose

Chookyblue...... said...

I love the Bears paw block and want to make a quilt one day...... It's been on the +one day+ list for a long time.
Try moving you blocks around. I had a friend who's won't was looking very orange...... She just had to much orange to close. Moved some blocks around and took one out and it looked fine

MissPat said...

I don't think there's too much purple in the coneflowers. I know you plan on rearranging them and I think you'll find a good balance when you start moving blocks around. Your brown and gold Bear's Paws are very rich looking.
Pat

JJM said...

BEAR’S PAW ~ Did I get it right this time ? 😉 I guess it looks more like a claw than a paw to me…. maybe because I live in the wilds of Montana. Those blocks have such a deep richness to each one of them. And reflect the beauty of this seasons foliage right now.

Creating your layout for Autumn Cone flower has been fun to watch, looking forward to your final design.

JJM

jmsx3 said...

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your daily blog. It's an education in color every day!

52KID said...

You can never have enough purple - the blocks maybe just need rearranging a little. As for your Bear's Paw blocks, you continue to amaze me with the mix of fabrics you use - I would never pick them as looking good until you do it. Keep up the good work of inspiring me,and others. I look forward to your messages each day just to see what you've been up to.

Mystic Quilter said...

Autumn Coneflowers is a stunner! Beautiful mix of colours and I do love the purples.

Kaaren said...

Do I sense that you do NOT want this to be a purple quilt? It is pretty purple, and lovely, but definitely purple. I love it though.... purple and all.

Very interesting commentary about the Bear's Paw..... I had NO idea. I'm such a non pattern person that this kind of block (needing a whole lot of accuracy) kind of scares me.

And about sewing the shopping bags: I made wine gift bags the same way, and they are very appreciated as little hostess gifts. I've even been know to just deckle the top edge if I"m in a rush. It's a great way to use up scraps.