I love to quilt! And sometimes Mr QuiltinAnnie helps with the design; figuring out the angles and measurements! This letterbox series will highlight a traditional quilt block or pattern beginning with the letter of the stamp found inside the cache. You will need to supply your own stamp pad.
Bear Paw Block
It is believed the Bear Paw block pattern originated in the late 1700's to the early 1800's. It is known by many other names, depending which area of the USA you live in. One of the most popular theories about the origins of the Bear Paw quilt pattern is that the quilt block was used to guide escaped slaves to food and water in the days of the underground railway. The Bear Paw block pattern would be a sign that slaves were on the right track to life-saving resources and shelter on their long trek to freedom. Although this theory is not definitively proven, it’s really cool to think about quilt patterns used for such important missions.
A classic Bear Claw block is made up of four “claws,” either all facing out, or in the same direction around a single square in the center. The bear claws themselves are made from one large square, and four half-square triangles.