Just found out we are sponsoring a family from my work and that the mom likes horses! (What a WONDERFUL woman!!)

Anyway, I have some materials with horses already and need a fast pattern for a lap quilt that would use larger sized squares so I am not cutting apart all the horses...

My question is, how big of square can I do a nine-patch, you know, before it looks weird? Or can you suggest another block/idea for using the horses??

Need to get it done this weekend....yeeeks!!! :| Helllllpppp...

on quilters cache, they have a sq in a sq 2 block, the center square is 6 1/2", it goes together fast.

What if you did the 9 patch in coordinating fabrics, with a large square of the horse fabric between each of the 9 patch squares. Makes an Irish Chain I believe. (new at this - don't know all of the terminology yet). Take a look at the quilt in my avatar for an example of what I am trying to describe. Close up picture here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-78371-1.htm

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-81690-1.htm
Jus saw this look how nice it looks and easy!

I did something similar with floral fabric. Then I used some coordinating and contrasting fabric for the actual 9-patch.

This is my favorite pattern for showcasing a print that you don't want to cut up too much. It's fast and really easy to adjust the size.

http://www.maryquilts.com/quick-strippie/

BQ pattern uses 12 inch focus cuts and makes 18 blocks with strips on two sides. easy.

Look at the scale of the focus print and make a judgment.
I would do the square and put sashing around it for larger blocks and sew them all together. The sashing/edge pieces do not need to all be the same color.

what about the 10 min block ? you can take and fussy cut the center for the horse or do the horses in the other four sections with a cathedral flare to it? with maybe some accent colors in it? just my thought.

turning twenty pattern would work great; or just can't cut it.
A quick quilt I suggest to my students is 4 patch or 9 patch with alternate squares, the alternate squares could be your horse fabric in a solid square so they are not cut up. hope that makes sense.