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I was about to begin cutting my fabrics for a D9P grandchild's quilt, when I realized my zebra prints are all directional. The D9P is so much fun to make, but now I'm thinking this may not be the best candidate. Your thoughts?

Can you post a pic of the fabric? Sounds like it would be cute, but I do find myself wondering if the stripes going every direction would make me feel a little dizzy?!

WQFC - I don't know how to post pix here, but my fabrics are prints of zebras, not zebra stripes.

I bet you would be fine then. I would hesitate if I had a large scale print and was using a small square of fabric. But, I wouldn't worry about the zebras going several directions. Many prints do that anyway! Good luck with the project!

I think for a child's quilt it might be fun to have the zebras going in different directions. If you know the name of the fabric I may be able to find a picture of it online and import that into EQ7. Then if you tell me the size blocks you plan to use for the original nine-patches, the alternate fabrics you have in mind, and the layout you will be using I can draw a pic for you to get an idea of how it would look.

This is just a sample drawn using a picture of a Robert Kaufman zebra fabric. The zebras were facing in two different directions as printed on the fabric - I just rotated it in various patches to turn some going up or down or upside down.

Having a visual helps so much! I like that a lot...can't really tell if it's a directional print or not!

I think that on some quilts that don't have an obvious "up" and "down" to them, directional prints going different directions are OK. What I don't like to see are striped fabrics (not striped animals, but stripes on the fabric) that are used in a block or a quilt that has a definite "up" to the design. That's when stripes going different directions on the quilt make my eyes go a little buggy.

Every-which-a-way! That way, it won't matter up or down on the bed!!

I think everyone is "steering" you in the right direction!

Bozie, that would be awesome. I've been trying to decide on the small squares and "side bars" colors already.

One of my 3 prints is actually the one you show (Robert Kaufman) but with lime background, not red.

The second is Timeless Treasures at this link
Print #2

Here's Print #3 Print #3

Would like to see what lime/black, black/white, or white/lime solids would look like for the sides and squares. :-)

THX

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wannaquilt2,

Just checking - do you want to use a mixture of the three of the prints or just one of them in the quilt?

Using all 3. THX

Meanwhile - here's a version using a mixture of the three prints with lime sides and black squares

and with black sides and white squares

and with white sides and lime squares

Well that was a lucky guess - the mixture was what you were thinking of.

I can easily make another one with the fabrics turned in different directions if that would be helpful.

Whoa!!! How neat. Looks like it depends on what dominate color I'd like. They all are so different, it is hard to decide. :-) The black really showcases the prints.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wannaquilt2,

Can you pls also do:

lime corners with black sides
black squares with white sides

THX

Here's one more combination to consider for sides and squares....black sides lime squares

Hey - I read your mind!

Here's white sides with black squares.

Wow! Went upstairs to sew and came back to all these examples! They look great! I like black sides and lime squares!

Good question.

Great work Bozie. I like the ones with the black background look when done. Really makes you look at the quilt and ask how it was made.

There's another fabric in that group...the rum p s of the zebras in a line. I laughed out loud when I got it. That might throw another "how did she make this?" into the mix. Love all these examples, Bozie...so helpful!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nancyc20,

One problem with the drawings is that the prints in the fabrics are not to scale. That can change the overall appearance quite a bit.

Wannaquilt2, if you want to post the approximate sizes of the zebras in the fabrics and the size squares you are using to make the original nine-patch I can crop/resize as needed to get a more realistic picture.

Gotta go now but will be back tomorrow morning if not before..........

I did a little searching and found approximate sizes of the prints. The drawing I used was based on a 9" finished size for the nine patch so each of the print squares would finish at 3". Here's an approximate picture of what the one with black sides, lime small squares would look like at that size.

What a great ? I just gave away some WOW fabric because the thought of putting it in a quilt and how it would look in the quilts...overwhelmed me

Bozie GREAT job with the pics! I wanna come and take EQ classes from you!

I think the Zebra hiney butts would look great in a border!

Nancy, I almost bought that fabric.

Bozie - I cannot thank you enough for taking the time in helping with these layouts. The measurements you used are what I had in mind too. My favorite version is the black background with white corner squares. After seeing the prints in all directions, I think I prefer them to be directional afterall and will work carefully to cut them that way. The program sure takes the guesswork out of choices! Bless You

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wannaquilt2,

Glad I could help.

I use the program a lot for my own quilts. Just can't "see" complete designs in my mind otherwise. And drawing for other people gives me an excuse to play with the software without having to do the sewing.

Editing to add a PS...

If you want to post a picture of your finished quilt PM me and we'll figure out a way to do it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bozie,

I love the zebra fabric on black so much, I might make a shirt from it. I could put the rears on a pocket and a collar. Cracks me up.

Bozie: I see from your pictures that I like the one direction best also...I'm really surprised because usually I'm all over the place. It might be a similar factor to the "take a picture to find the mistakes" kind of thing. Thanks so much!!!!!