short on inspiration

15 years ago

I just finished my mothers quilt - I'll send a picture soon... It came out unbelievable!!! But I offered to a friend that I would make her and her fiance a 'wedding quilt'... I'm thinking something I can sink my teeth into - broken star... snails trail... something I can feel the love... but when I sent her a website of patterns she pick out the simplest of patterns (taken back a bit... but) - fine if that's what she likes... with animal prints... animal prints! leopard, tiger, zebra stripes...

Has anyone worked with animal prints that can give me some suggestions?

I'm at a loss.

Here is a link that might be useful: pattern she picked - on the bottom

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Comments (31)

gerizone5
15 years ago
Also at a loss.
vicky4x4
15 years ago
Well, that's something. No I haven't any ideas for you but I can feel your disappointment...........animal prints!

Vicky
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I guess it was the fabrics (though most if not all of them were nice quality fabrics) that bothered me more than the pattern - I basically picked out the pattern. I did not anticipate the discouragement I feel working on it. I dread it. IÂm going to have to hire someone to quilt it because it I know I will not be able to work on it anymore. I will give up quilting before I quilt that quilt Â isnÂt that awful? IÂve never worked this long on a simple quiltÂ AND not worked on it! You know? I have pined over every decision regarding it because IÂm so unsure about it (I donÂt like it from beginning to end). I hemmed and hawed over the red Â then I bought fabric for the border and I keep asking other people about it Â Âdo you think thisÂ or thisÂ" and everyone gives me a different answer (as always) but this time it really bothers me because I donÂt know WHAT to do with it! Then people were saying "why didnÂt you put green into it?" or "ooh, whyÂd you do THAT?" and I canÂt tell you why may be because I thought it was LESS heinous? I need to have someone tell me what to do with it. At this point I may just put a small strip of black around the whole thing Â in the sashing fabric and leave it at that. I hate feeling like IÂm half-@ssing it, but I just canÂt look at this anymore. There are so many great fabrics and patterns out there why why why? Why would she like this more than a bargello?? Ugh. The bargello was pre-cut fabrics Â hoffman bali pop mint I think? I got it on sale and challenged myself to do it in a weekÂ it took me a little over 2 weeks to get the topper done. I love it. It lined up perfectly (unlike the other bargello I did with precut fabrics) and I love the colors and I absolutely love bargello Â it the epitome of a sum of itÂs parts. Which is one aspect of quilting I love Â you have all these bits and pieces and not only does it end up being something functional but also beautifulÂ squares make a wave patternÂ itÂs just really cool to me. Which is another reason ÂuninspiredÂ bothers me Â itÂs just a bunch of squares Â it doesnÂt MAKE anything elseÂ uhg. Back to the animal prints. I guess I just have to do it and not think much more about itÂ just do it!
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toolgranny
15 years ago
Since she obviously doesn't appreciate a fine, traditional pieced quilt, at least you know she will not be picky with how you do it. Have fun and don't worry about it.
redpenny
15 years ago
With the animal prints perhaps do a black siloutte of each animal leopard, tiger, zebra appliqued on some of the animal print blocks.......This quilt could be a great challenge.....
Red
grammyp
15 years ago
It is a rather simple quilt isn't it. All I have used animal prints for is trim on costumes and a tote bag. I like Red's idea of the animal on each block.

beverly
petalpatsy
15 years ago
Boy, that's really hideous. Maybe she was trying not to be very much trouble, and maybe she just wants sexy leopard prints. I think it would look classier with black sashing around big blocks of a big scale leopard print, and bordered in a very small scale leopard print.

One bit of advice I will pass along from my mom--people's requests are guidelines. The gift is yours to make, your crafty vision, your time. Smooth over any major changes by smiling great big, and saying "I wanted to surprise you a little bit, to make it personal."

Always works, always true!
jennifer_in_va
15 years ago
I like the idea of black sashing. Perhaps setting the blocks on point will dress it up for you.
solstice98
15 years ago
I like petalpatsy's advice that you can use her selection as the guideline but do what you want with it. How about if you use the animal prints she likes, mixed in with a variety of solids that will complement the animal prints (black, tans, beiges, golds) and put them together in a block pattern that you will enjoy working with? If she's not a quilter she probably doesn't have any idea of the possibilities.

Kate
woodenzoo
15 years ago
In the book, 90 Minute Quilts, there's a animal print quilt. It's made using animal print flannels and is backed (and bound) with black faux fur or Minkee.
It's just 6" squares, mostly done in brown and black animal prints (looks like some blenders in there). No sashing or borders... Looks so much better without them!!! And looks really nice with a black binding...
Cathy

Here is a link that might be useful: 90 Minute Quilts
fran1523
15 years ago
I kind of like the animal prints. They would look great with certain batiks as well.
tom8olvr
Original Author
15 years ago
I already told her that I'd really have to change it b/c I thought that the leopard strips were waaay too much. I told her a black sashing would be the way to go - so I'm picking up what your putting down.

I thought of the whole making it easy on me, and I really don't think that's it (She's getting married May 2010) I think she truly likes this.

I did ask her if she was looking for african safari (elephants, lions, african animals), tropical (with lush green foliage), Asian with bamboo and tigers, or if it was a sexy animal print with blacks and may be red(tiny border)... she said she wanted the 'sexy' wild animal prints.

So I started looking around and found this:

I thought I could work with this somehow... but she wasn't crazy about this. I may do this on the back or border b/c I think it would 'tame' the animal... :) Rahrrrr!

I showed her these:

She loved these.

I looked up some patterns last night... of couse I took pictures of the ones I liked (I'm visual) and I left the camera at home. I found a pattern that you could take large blocks and put a sashing around them, but they weren't rectangular strips - straight strips - they were long triangles so that each block ended up square (still) but the middle block was slightly askew. Make sense? I thought that might be more INTERESTING...

I didn't look at your 90 minute quilt link - I will shortly... but I'd feel guilty if I didn't spend SOME time on this... Oye! I want it to be something they'll USE!

On another note, I'm feeling a little scared - I don't want to even imagine their bedroom! :)
lola99
15 years ago
What about something like this quilt, link below?

Here is a link that might be useful: animal print quilt
nanajayne
15 years ago
Although I wouldn't want those fabrics for myself I really can't say that I don't like the quilt your friend chose. I think that her taste differ from yours but that is not a reason not to make something that she likes, otherwise why ask for her imput. Jayne
rosajoe_gw
15 years ago
I saw a gorgeous bargello that was animals and black, very striking!!!!!!!!!!
My DGD is now into hot pink and zebra. Sounds like your friend is just not into the traditional so it would be a huge waste to make something she doesn't care for.
I think quilted paw prints in different sizes would look cute.
Rosa
petalpatsy
15 years ago
Ooooo, Lola! That's a nice animal print quilt you linked to, very nice. Heavens, and a bargello animal print idea makes ME want to make one.
tom8olvr
Original Author
15 years ago
I LOVE Bargellos!!! tell me more about this one you saw...
kathi_mdgd
15 years ago
I like the one Nola99 posted the link too.That one is very nice!! IMHO
Kathi
biwako_of_abi
15 years ago
"I don't want to even imagine their bedroom!"
I'm with you; don't go there!

Animal lover though I am, I can't say that there is anything about that quilt she chose that appeals to me. The suggestions about black sashing or black in the border--and especially Red's idea of appliqueing black silhouettes of some of the animals--really appeal to me. Or I might make up the quilt pretty much as it is, except for using a plain golden brown as sashing and then for the border doing some fancy geometric piecing of plains and prints in the same colors as the blocks. The animal fabrics could be set off much more attractively with a solid fabric than with the "busy" print shown in the pattern, and if she still insists on this simple pattern with its--to me--not very appealing colors, I would be tempted to indulge my own preferences at least to that extent! lol

Strangely, I do like the quilt in the picture in Lola's link, but I suspect that it is being saved by the eyelet flounce, sheet, and pillowcase edgings.
tom8olvr
Original Author
15 years ago
Ok, despite myself, I'm getting excited. A bargello would lend itself to 'animal prints' pretty well I think... Wow, thankfully I started this thread b/c you folks have me excited about this now! How did you do that???? OMG!
magothyrivergirl
15 years ago
I think "I Spy with a Twist" would look great in animal prints & sexy fabric.
http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/ProductImages/Large/lmq10014.jpg
Someone here made this quilt (not in Animal prints) and it was stunning.
Also consider a Convergence Quilt -Ricky Tims - very contemporary. Google pics of Convergence quilts and be ready to spend some time!
I bought his book & I am making one now; it is fun and different and lends itself to self expression & magic for the prints & animals. Use your imagination when you study this method. You could make it spectacular with the borders and surrounding fabric. The main center / convergence section is fast & doesn't require alot of fabric, so you wouldn't be out much time or money if you hated it.
rosajoe_gw
15 years ago
Look on page 4 and you can see how the animal is mixed with floral.
The one I saw was totally animal and black, but I don't have a pic.
This one is stunning!!!!
Rosa

Here is a link that might be useful: Animal Bargello
tom8olvr
Original Author
15 years ago
I can't believe how turned off I was! How close minded I was!!! Each one of these have animal prints!!! I could do this with tans, oranges, black, whites with animal prints and solids and or batiks! What a dope I can be!!!

I've sent her some of these pictures...

I'm so happy that you folks have helped me!!!

I'm feeling inspired now!
rosajoe_gw
15 years ago
I think it is going to be a beautiful quilt.
It is fun to throw ideas out here and get another point of view.
Glad you are inspired!!
Rosa
agoldencomet
15 years ago
These are all great ideas!!

I agree with magothyrivergirl that a Convergence Quilt might be a good idea - or maybe as a complementary wall hanging?? I am thinking of it myself for the Black and White and ____ challenge.

Good luck - looking forward to seeing the finished product!
tom8olvr
Original Author
15 years ago
I sent her photos of the bargello with animal prints.

She didn't like it.

I think I'm going to go with her original like. I'm now
on the hunt (no pun intended) for animal prints!

On another note, I had purchased some time ago some jelly
rolls - I've decided to try a bargello with the jelly rolls.

Oh, meant to also mention the jelly rolls I bought "Stripz"
were AWFUL! They weren't straight at all!!! Has anyone
run into jelly rolls being poorly cut? This is my first time
using them - I was disappointed...
solstice98
15 years ago
How could she NOT like the bargello animal prints?!? They are beautiful and so dramatic! Now I'm inspired to do one too.

Kate
mary_c_gw
15 years ago
Seriously, as uninspiring as her choice is, well, it's what she likes, LOL.

I, too, have problems making quilts that don't speak to me, but sometimes I do it anyway. At least it will be done quickly and you already know she will like it.
tom8olvr
Original Author
15 years ago
She said she wasn't 'feeling' the bargello! I don't know
how that's possible. I've been so impressed with what I've
seen with bargellos! She didn't like it. What am I to do?

Every single one of you folks are right... I should suck it
up since I asked for input. I also greatly appreciate your
suggestions and input!

I'm starting to collect animal prints - gone to a few stores
and picked up a few here and there... they aren't ALL THAT
offensive... I'll work something out! I'll post once I get
going on it.

Thanks so much!
redpenny
15 years ago
bargello quilts are beautiful out of curiosity LOL ask her about the animals done in black scattered thru out her orginal quilt idea!
Red
tom8olvr
Original Author
15 years ago
I do like the idea of the animals silouettes in black -
however she did not:
"Big blocks are fine with me...The other one down below with the mix of fabrics is cool to but I don't want animals in it just the sexy prints...... Am I making sense.."
I guess I should be happy that she knows exactly what she
wants! :)
I did find a leopard print that was black on black - that
got me thinking about a sash (again) in that... I'm really
feeling uninspired. I'll just keep collecting fabric and
see what I come up with. Appreciate everyone's thoughts
and trying to give me inspiration (which you did, but
unfortunately it's not what she's looking for). I'll keep
you posted...
I'm making good progress on the bargello - I just had to
try it!!!! I'll post pics.
Thanks!
easystitches
15 years ago
Wow, those bargello's are gorgeous!

I think your friend suffers from "pottery Barnitis"
Those simple big block designs ar hot right now.

I love your fabrics & you can do a lot with the quilting too. Remember,Quilting makes the quilt!
I was thinking it would be cool(or warm) in the animal print Minkees!
I wish she liked them on point, I thought that added some interest.
At least she's being really honest about what she likes.
Non quilters are hard to figure sometimes.
My BFF has never gotten a quilt from me because I'm so worried she wouldn't like it. She hates scrappy, which is my 1st love. It's been easier just to make the quilts for her kids!
Good luck, your headed the right
direction! Jill