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Zany ZebraZ quilt block tutorial

Posted on: March 27th, 2015 by Lorna McMahon

Today I am happy to share with you a tutorial for the Zany ZebraZ quilt block!

It is my hope that you will enjoy the use of this free tutorial for making these crazy zebra blocks.  Make one for a mini or a cushion or tote bag.  Or make a few and you have a cute baby quilt.

Completed block will measure 14.5″ tall by 12.5″ wide including seam allowances.
The finished size is 14″ x 12″.

To make each Zany ZebraZ block, you will need….

From black and white prints:

Body โ€“ 4.5โ€ x 6.5โ€
Legs โ€“ 2pcs @ 1.5โ€ x 4.5โ€
Head โ€“ 3.5โ€ x 4.5โ€
Nose โ€“ 2.5โ€ x 2.5โ€
Neck & Face โ€“ 1.5โ€ x 2.5โ€ and 3pcs @ 1.5โ€ x 1.5โ€

From the black:
(1) 1.5โ€ x 4.5โ€ rectangle and (3) 1.5โ€ squares

From the pink:
(2) 2.5โ€ squares and (1) 1.5โ€ x 2.5โ€ rectangle

From the background fabric:
(2) 5.5โ€ x 6.5โ€ rectangles, (1) 3.5โ€ x 5.5โ€ rectangle & (1) 2.5โ€ x 5.5โ€ rectangle,
(1) 2.5โ€ x 3.5โ€ rectangle, (2) 1.5โ€ x 3.5โ€ rectangles, (1) 1.5โ€ x 2.5โ€ rectangle,
(2) 2.5โ€ squares, and (7) 1.5โ€ squares

Step 1:  To make the zebra body, take your 4.5โ€ x 6.5โ€ black and white print and 1.5โ€ background fabric square.  Draw a diagonal line across the 1.5″ background fabric square.  Place the background fabric square on the corner of the 4.5โ€ x 6.5โ€ black and white print body segment and sew along the diagonal line, as shown in red.  Trim a 1/4″ seam.  Press seam open.

Step 2:  Take the 1.5″ x 4.5″ black rectangle and a 2.5″ background fabric square.  Sew the 1.5โ€ x 4.5โ€ black rectangle onto the end of the body unit.  Then draw a diagonal line across the background fabric square.  Place the square on the corner of the black rectangle and sew along the diagonal line, as shown in red.  Trim a 1/4″ seam.  Press the seam open.

Step 3:  To make the zebra legs, take your black and white print 1.5โ€ x 4.5โ€ rectangles and 1.5โ€ black squares.  Sew the squares on the bottoms of the rectangles.  Press the seams open.

Step 4:  Take the 3.5โ€ x 5.5โ€ background fabric rectangle.  Sew the legs on each side of the rectangle.  Press the seams open.

Step 5:  Take the 2.5โ€ x 5.5โ€ background fabric rectangle and 1.5โ€ black square.  Draw a diagonal line across the square.  Place a square on the corner of the background fabric rectangle and sew along the diagonal line, as shown in red.  Trim a 1/4″ seam.  Press seams open.

Step 6:  Take the units made in the previous two steps and sew them together.

Step 7:  Take the units made in Step 2 & Step 6 and sew them together.

Step 8:  To make the zebra heads, take your black and white print  3.5โ€ x 4.5โ€ rectangle and 1.5โ€ background fabric squares.  Draw a diagonal line across the squares.  Place the squares on the top corners of the black and white print rectangle.   Sew along the diagonal line, as shown in red.  Trim a 1/4″ seam.  Press seams open.

Step 9:  Take the 1.5โ€ x 3.5โ€ background fabric rectangles.  Place the 1.5โ€ black and white print square on the end of one of the 1.5โ€ x 3.5โ€ background fabric rectangles, with right sides together and sew along the diagonal line, as shown in red.  Trim a 1/4″ seam.  Press seams open.  Sew this piece on the left side of the head.  Sew the other 1.5โ€ x 3.5โ€ background fabric rectangle on the right side of the head.

Step 10:  To make the zebra ears, take the 2.5″ pink squares and 1.5″ background fabric squares.  Place the 1.5โ€ background fabric squares on opposing corners of the 2.5โ€ pink squares and sew along the diagonal.  Trim and press open.  Take the 2.5โ€ background fabric square and sew between the ears. 

Step 11:  Take the units made in the previous two steps and sew them together.  Press the seam open.  Add the 6.5โ€ x 5.5โ€ background fabric rectangle to the left side and press the seam open. 

Step 12:  To make the zebra neck, take the 1.5โ€ x 2.5″ background fabric rectangle and the 1.5โ€ x 2.5โ€ black and white print rectangle.  Draw a diagonal line across the 1.5โ€ x 2.5″ background fabric rectangle, place it on the top of the 1.5โ€ x 2.5โ€ black and white print rectangle and sew along the diagonal line, as shown by the red line.  Trim a 1/4″ seam, as shown by the blue line.  Press the seam open.  Draw a diagonal line across the 1.5โ€ x 1.5โ€ black and white print square.  Place it on the black and white print portion of the unit and sew along the diagonal line, as shown in red.  Trim a 1/4″ seam. Press the seam open. 

Step 13:  To make the zebra nose, take the 2.5″ black and white square and 1.5″ x 2.5โ€ pink rectangle.  Sew them together and press the seam open.  Next place the 1.5โ€ black and white square on the top corner of the 2.5โ€ x 3.5โ€ background fabric rectangle and sew along the diagonal.  Trim and press open.  Now add the neck unit made in the previous step.

Step 14:  Take the 6.5โ€ x 5.5โ€ background fabric rectangle and add it to the bottom of the unit made in the previous step.

Step 15:  Arrange your units made in Step 7 and 14.  Sew them together and press the seam open. 

Step 16:  Arrange your units made in Step 11 and 15.  Sew them together and press the seam open.  Sew or embroider the eyes and nostrils on the completed blocks.  I do not recommend using buttons on items intended for use by young children or babies.  Completed block will measure 14.5″ tall by 12.5″ wide including seam allowances.

This will remain as a free tutorial and a link to this post will be provided on my Tutorials page.  The Tutorials page tab can be found beneath the blog header.

Feel free to share a link to this tutorial on your blog or by social media.

And if you post a block or two…
Please use the #ZanyZebraZ hashtag so I can see your cute blocks!

I also invite you to add them to our Quilt Along with Sew Fresh Quilts flickr group here!

No go forth…
  And create your own unique herd of striped beasts!!!

Linking up for TGIFF hosted this week with Janet of Simply Pieced.
ENJOY!
Keep On Quilting On!
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34 Responses

  1. This is a wonderful tutorial Lorna, thank you! It would make such cute baby quilt!

  2. Unknown says:

    Ooh.. Lorna – Thank you so much for this lovely tutorial!But first I have to make my elephant parade…. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Then I will make this sweet ZanyZebraZ.Have a great weekend

  3. O my cuteness! I can't wait til I get my fabric stash and can start stitching up some of your cute critters!

  4. Patricia says:

    Thanks for the tutorial. I love your Zebra!

  5. Dana Gaffney says:

    Thank you so much, I really like the zebras, they're going on the list as soon as I finish my herd of elephants ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. KaHolly says:

    No way, Lorna! how generous of you to offer up this tutorial of your just released pattern. I've been working diligently on Elephant Parade and hope I can resist making this adorable block until I'm finished! Thank you so much!

  7. MoeWest says:

    Thank you very much Lorna! I don' t have a baby to sew for but I am envisioning a herd of zebras running across a body pillow cover. Have a wonderful day!

  8. Rosemary B here:You are so sweet. I am going to make a couple of these beasties and make a wall hanging for my upcoming baby grand daughter's room (that they never sleep in those first few months hahaha)but my daughter and her dear hubbs will love this.Thank you so much Lorna, I have the perfect fabric.Thank you so so much for sharing your ideas to every one. That is generosity with loveโค๏ธ

  9. Vicki in MN says:

    Thank you Lorna for the tute, most generous of you!

  10. How nice of you. I love this pattern and hope to have many Zany ZebraZ in my future.

  11. Lori says:

    this is so adorable. thank you so much for sharing this pattern. I will be making a pillow for our sons soon to be wife. She is a horse-fanatic. Anything horsey. She trains kids and adults to ride. She has two horses of her own. She got her degree in stable management. Again thank you for sharing.

  12. Susan L. says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your pattern Lorna! So cute!

  13. Ruth says:

    You are more than generous! I love the idea of a tote bag with this guy on it!

  14. Oh my goodness, Lorna, how generous of you to give this block as a free tutorial. Your animal designs are so amazing.

  15. Oh, Lorna, thank you so much for this free tutorial. I'll make this for sure! You are so generous!Wish you a sunny weekend!Greetings from Bavaria!Marlies

  16. Thank you for taking the time to make this great tutorial – I must give it a go sometime soon ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. I like the idea of a tote bag. Thanks for the free tutorial.Blessings, Debbie

  18. Ioleen says:

    I'm with Deborah, finish Elephant Parade before starting this cute zebra. Also as Daytona Damsel said I also like the idea of a tote bag. Thanks for the tutorial. Now back to elephants.

  19. Vera says:

    Oh, thank you for sharing! Your patterns are great! So fun and cute!

  20. Peggyinno says:

    Thanks so much for a great pattern and tutorial! As soon as I get my \”elephant parade\” quilted, I will be making these handsome devils! Thanks again!

  21. legato1958 says:

    Oh this is soooo cute! Thanks so much for your tutorial! I hope to make a pillow soon! This little block just makes me so happy when I see it!!Susie

  22. Preeti says:

    Thank you Lorna!!! So sweet of you to share this pattern.

  23. Nita says:

    Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're sharing this block! Thank you so much! I'm going to make donkeys! ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. Nita says:

    …and, um…how do hash tags work? Is that only for twitter? Or do you use them on all social media?

  25. JanineMarie says:

    I have such admiration for the work that must go into making tutorials. Thank you so much!

  26. Thanks so much for the tutorial. The zebras are just so cute!!!

  27. KaHolly says:

    It was just too much for me, I had to put everything aside this morning and make a zebra. It was fun and so easy with your incredible tutorial. Now I can't wait to finish up Elephant Parade, so I can get right to work on a zebra quilt. I should have just enough time to finish one up before I start my migration. Thanks, Lorna! xo

  28. Joyce says:

    Thank you Lorna for the Zebra tutorial. By tweeking the the colors a little, I think I could make a great little mule block from it for a wall hanging.

  29. Patti says:

    Lorna, you are just so generous to share this cutie with us. I'm definitely going to use this fabulous tutorial, just as soon as I get my Elephant Parade done! Thank you!

  30. s2br11 says:

    Dear Lorna, thank you so much for this pattern and all the elephants,frogs and flowers! I just recently found your blog and I am so happy I did. This will make a sweet baby quilt.

  31. Angie says:

    This is the cutest thing EVER!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you bunches for sharing this with us. ๐Ÿ™‚

  32. Jenni says:

    What are the seam allowances?

  33. The seam allowances are 1/4\”

  34. I like your creativity in this blog.white body pillow cover