How to Sew a Crab Claws Traditionally Pieced Quilt Block (or should we call it Wrench?)

By: Elaine Huff

Looking for a bold and dynamic quilt block that’s easy to piece? The Crab Claws block is a perfect choice! This striking 12" block is made with just squares and flying geese units, making it a quick and satisfying sew. With its sharp angles and strong lines, it resembles both the pincers of a crab and the sturdy shape of wrenches - making it a fantastic design for ocean lovers or the perfect quilt gift for a mechanic or handy person. Whether you’re adding it to a sampler or sewing up an entire quilt, this traditionally pieced block comes together with ease. Let’s get started!

Fabric Requirements for a 12" Finished Crab Claws Quilt Block:

Light/White: 1 - 4.5" square, and 20 - 2.5" squares
Medium/Floral: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 6 - 2.5" squares
Dark/Aqua: 4 - 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, and 6 - 2.5" squares

Sewing Directions:

Two-Patch Units:

Step 1:

Make four Two-Patch units using four Light/White 2.5" squares and four Medium/Floral 2.5" squares like the ones shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance toward the Light/White fabric. (I pressed mine toward the medium fabric and then when piecing the last steps realized that seams would nest easier if these units were pressed away from the Light/White fabric.)

Step 2:

Repeat Step 1 only using the Dark/Aqua 2.5" squares in place of the Medium/Floral squares.

Flying Geese Units:

We're going to be making four different colorings of a Flying Geese block. For a detailed tutorial of my no-trim method for making perfect Flying Geese blocks check out https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/how-to-sew-a-basic-flying-geese-block.

Step 3:

Using two Medium/Floral 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and four Light/White 2.5" squares, sew together two Flying Geese units as shown below.

Step 4:

Using two Dark/Aqua 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles and four Light/White 2.5" squares, sew together two Flying Geese units like the ones below.

Step 5:

Using two Medium/Floral 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, two Light/White 2.5" squares, and two Dark/Aqua 2.5" squares, sew together two Flying Geese units as shown below.

Step 6:

Using two Dark/Aqua 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles, two Light/White 2.5" squares, and two Medium/Floral 2.5" squares, sew together two Flying Geese units like the ones in the picture shown below.

Corner Units:

Step 7:

Sew together a Step 1 and a Step 3 unit as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance away from the Flying Geese unit. Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 8:

Repeat Step 7 only using the Step 2 and Step 4 units.

Step 9:

Here's a picture of the four Corner units.

Middle Units:

Step 10:

Sew together a Step 2 and a Step 5 unit as shown in the picture below. Press the seam allowance away from the Flying Geese unit. Repeat for a total of two units.

Step 11:

Repeat Step 10 only using the Step 1 and Step 6 units.

Step 12:

Here's a picture showing the four Middle units.

Putting It All Together:

Step 13:

Lay out the Light/White 4.5" square, the Corner units, and the Middle units as shown in the picture below. From here the block goes together like a basic Nine Patch block.

Step 14:

Sew the units into three rows as shown below.

Step 15:

Press the seam allowances away from the Middle units as shown.

Step 16:

Then sew the three rows together to complete the block.

Step 17:

And finally press the seam allowances toward the center of the block as shown by the picture below.

Layout Ideas:

This is your basic 4 x 4 layout.

And here it is with colored sashing and cornerstones added.

So I had to see what it might look like as a scrappy quilt! I would keep each block to three fabrics (light, medium, and dark) so I wouldn't get confused with where each color goes when sewing the units.

This is an example using a simple chain block as an alternating block.

Here's an on-point layout with dark sashing and cornerstones and background fabric used for the setting triangles.

And lastly I have another on-point example with a simple chain block alternating with the Crab Claws block and also extending into the setting triangles.

Conclusion:

The Crab Claws was fun and quick to sew together. I especially like the looks of the scrappy quilt. I could see making this quilt for my son who likes to work on cars.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you like it and want to see more, just click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free PDF quilt pattern called "Chained Weathervane".

Happy Quilting!

Elaine

P.S. Looking for more scrap-busting blocks? Check out this roundup blog post: https://fabric406.com/blogs/fabric406-blog/40-of-the-best-free-scrappy-quilt-block-tutorials

P.P.S. Check out my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fabric406

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