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ZebraZ quilt in it’s UNnatural habitat

Posted on: March 13th, 2015 by Lorna McMahon

Presenting the ZebraZ quilt!
Complete with snow covered background.
On the old hay wagon.


This project was generously sponsored by Northcott Fabrics.  Made from Northcott’s ColorWorks Premium Cotton Solids.  I was especially pleased with the light grey (Vapour 9000-900) used for the background.  It is so subtle and silvery!

For the backing I used the remainder of my Elephants by Ed Emberley from the Happy Drawing collection for Cloud 9 Fabrics.  So this may look somewhat familiar to that Elephant Parade quilt back.  This time I added this narrow band of a medium grey solid where the two pieces of Elephants print meet.

A mitered border was the original plan.  I have made a few of those before.  This time I switched things up a little.  And used a cross like cornerstone giving the illusion that those black border strips are crossing at the corners.

I am so predictable.  The quilting is my fave organic wavy lines, spaced according to the size of the project and it’s intended use.  Quilted using my walking foot, this method makes for a quick edge to edge finish.

To complete the ZebraZ theme, I used a binding cut on the bias from this charcoal striped Striation by Lotta Jansdotter from the Follie collection for Windham Fabrics.  The lines run along the crossgrain, so it was the first bias binding I made since my very first quilt.  I love the results!  These inconsistent stripes look a lot like the stripes on a real zebra.

You know what?  I had a few people wondering…
The blocks that I made for the ZebraZ and for the Elephant Parade ….
They are NOT paper pieced.
That paper piecing hurts my brain.  Hahaha!

Now I know….  Piecing all those stripes does look like a painful procedure.  But the are NOT individually pieced.  These are strip pieced.  And then the body parts are cut from the strip sets.

Still looks like too much work?  Well then, the alternate directions provide for the use of a variety of black and white prints to make the zebras.  No piecing of stripes at all.  And how funky are they???

You can find the ZebraZ quilt pattern for sale here in my pattern shop. This 26 page pattern includes instructions for making both a toddler sized quilt using a 16 block setting, finishing at approximately 57.5″ x 67.5″, and a baby sized quilt using a 9 block setting and finishing at approximately 40″ x 50″.  Material requirements lists for both setting sizes and both block methods are provided.  Complete instructions for making the both the pieced ZebraZ and the Cheater ZebraZ in either setting are included.

This ZebraZ quilt finished at a nice toddler quilt size, 56″ by 66″, and  is now listed with the other Quilts for Sale in my Etsy shop.

This project was the 32nd use of my 100 labels ordered from
MyOwnQuiltLabels.
You can design your own labels, too!  Click here!
Baby it’s cold outside!  Brrrr!

The photos for this post were taken last week.  And the temperatures have risen considerably since then.  Here’s hoping for a lot less snow come time for the next ZebraZ quilt photo shoot!!!  Come on SPRING!

Keep On Quilting On!

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48 Responses

  1. Anonymous says:

    This quilt is so perfect! Really, the backing, the quilting, the binding, everything. 🙂 A work of art.

  2. Claire says:

    Zebra Z is adorable. I like both the stripes and the funky fabric versions.

  3. Anita says:

    Gorgeous ZebraZ!

  4. Lesley says:

    Fabulous quilt! Everything works so well, from the creative zebra shape, the interesting borders, the cute backing, and your wonderful quilting! Hurray for you!

  5. Fran says:

    Such a fabulous quilt! Love it.

  6. Carla says:

    How great is that! Just darling Lorna

  7. Those zebras look quite at home in the snow 🙂 I really love that grey background fabric too, it's the perfect shade 🙂

  8. Patti says:

    Oh my gosh, Lorna, this is so cute! Could you explain just a little more about the quilting? Do you just guide it across in a wavy motion or is this a specific stitch on your machine? Thanks!

  9. Tina Short says:

    Oh WOW…….love, love, love it. xx

  10. Susan L. says:

    Love your quilt Lorna! The Zebras are so cute. I love the backing fabric too! I was wondering how you did that quilting as well.

  11. Patricia says:

    Awesome quilt Zebras are adorable. Need to make this, thank you for sharing.

  12. Unknown says:

    Lovely quilt dear Lorna!

  13. This quilt is soooo cute. I love both variations of striped zebras and random black and white zebras. Who doesn't love a zebra! Thanks for your creation! I may never get one made but it is just so much fun to look at.

  14. mlisshouston says:

    Love the quilt!! Couldn't wait to get to computer this morning to see if the pattern was ready…it is…Bought the pattern! Now I will need to sew : ) 3 day weekend for me : ) : ) Thanks Lorna. Love this pattern!!

  15. I love your Zebra quilt and the jazzy variations you have made with the colourful fabrics – makes me smile 🙂

  16. Skootchover says:

    So darn cute! Love the little red bird at the bottom – perfect touch. I think the thin black strip on the border really finishes this off.

  17. Ioleen says:

    Love it. Buying the pattern ASAP. Wavy lines are the best. Got my fabric, now going to get the pattern.Thanks Lorna!!!

  18. Carole says:

    Lorna, I love the Zebra's. My Elephant Parade is finished, so I am sure that I need to make this one too. They brightened my day. Thank you for such a great pattern.

  19. Susan P says:

    I went to your Etsy shop and am having trouble ordering more than one item. Tried to email you and that didn't work either. So I must leave a comment here. Could you please email me to discuss. Thanks. Susan

  20. This quilt just looks gorgeous in all it's finished glory – the zebras are perfect, that border really effective and I love your binding choice.

  21. Carol S. says:

    The zebras are adorable…can't wait to make this one! Love it!

  22. Congratulations on another pattern release!! The ZebraZ look brave out there in the cold; I hope someone warms them up with some snuggling, though!

  23. PegP says:

    What a great quilt! Looks wonderful Lorna. Congrats on another finish!

  24. It's a pleasure to hear from you! You are not the only one today to ask for more information on the organic wavy line quilting. And I just might end up doing a tutorial for this method. It really is quite a simple process.Using the walking footI increase my stitch length to about 3.2 to 3.5Start in the middle of the quiltQuilt from edge to edge from the middle of the quilt to the topGuide it across in a wavy motionTurn the quilt and quilt from edge to edge from the middle of the quilt to the bottomNo knotting and no burying of thread tailsNo marking of linesHappy Friday and Happy Sewing!

  25. tubakk says:

    So lovely zebras, Lorna. I especially love the flower power one with the pink ears.

  26. Your poor zebras are freezing in the snow! They look so cute though! And the little birdie to keep them company.

  27. I love those zebras, really love them. I also appreciated your description of how they are made… no paper piecing for me either! Have a great weekend!

  28. Vera says:

    It is such a fun and cute design! Your quilt is beautiful including the quilting. Well done Lorna!

  29. Alexandra says:

    That´s a lovely zebra quilt and the bird is so sweet between this zebrasHave a nice weekendGrettings Alexandra (Germany)

  30. JanineMarie says:

    Oh wow, I was sure those zebras were paper pieced, even with the strip piecing. It wouldn't matter to me. I like piecing whether with paper or not. This design is adorable, though!

  31. Jasmine says:

    Your quilt is too cute! I would have a hard time letting it out of my hands. Your border and binding are perfect.

  32. Love, love, love your Zebra Quilt, absoutely gorgeous Lorna!Have a nice weekend!Liebe GrüßeBente

  33. Lara B. says:

    ZebraZ turned out great Lorna! Love your attention to detail! When I first saw Elephant Parade, I thought it was paper pieced, but you made it quite simple to traditionally piece it. Your funky Zebras crack me up! Love the border treatment and the striped binding you used! I much prefer the look of wavy organic quilting on many modern quilts!

  34. Cheryl says:

    Beautiful finish! I am loving all of your animal designs. Your quilting is the perfect choice for the quilt.

  35. Farm Quilter says:

    Love your ZebraZ!!! I'm making Elephants on Parade next week for my step-daughter and her husband as they are adopting a baby that is to be born in April.

  36. You've amazed me once again with your creativity! Such stunning work, Lorna!!

  37. Vickie says:

    I think I'll have to get this one too, those little guys are so darn cute !

  38. This is such a cute quilt. All that black and white really makes the bird pop out and makes me smile. My favorite machine quilting is that wavy line too. Much more relaxing than trying to keep my lines straight. I do have a question: What stitch length and tension do you use for machine quilting? Debbie

  39. Cassandra says:

    This is such a cute quilt! Striped bias binding is one of my favorite things, and this Lotta Jansdotter print is perfect for this quilt.

  40. Okay, Lorna. Enough already. My wanna make list is already out of control. I resisted the danged elephants, but I don't know how much longer I can hold out against zebras. This is a fabulous finish! Love the organic wavy lines – they're fast becoming a go to pattern for me as well.But what happened to Zazzles?!

  41. Patty says:

    These are so cute!! great job.

  42. Lorna…the zebras are just as adorable as your elephants!!! I wish I had more hours in my day!!! LOVE THEM!

  43. Kelly says:

    Amazing cuteness abounds! And I still can't believe they're not paper pieced! I love this quilt and I've pinned it to my \”Quilty Goodness\” board on Pinterest (with proper credit, of course!). Feel free to follow me if you'd like: http://pinterest.com/lipglass/quilty-goodness/

  44. Patty says:

    how cute – can't wait to make one

  45. What a sweet quilt! Yay for strip sets.

  46. Christine S says:

    My \”I need to make this list\” is also getting too long! Love this so much!

  47. susan718 says:

    Your quilts are so unique! I am not usually a fan of animal quilts, but that zebra quilt is just so adorable, I think my grandson would love it!

  48. I was hoping a few of your zebras would be rejuvinated this week under our Zebra Tuesday Archives theme! Isn't it great to reflect how your pattern making has developed this year! LUCKY US!! 🙂