Once I finish the one I'm working on I want to start work on a quilt and try to get it finished in time for christmas as a present, but I am having trouble deciding on a design.

I would like the design to be a square lap quilt size - around the size of 55" to 72" square

Here is what I want to include:
- Fat quarter size custom printed of a cat as main feature - colours are grey cat on medium blue lounge chair, probably cut to 18" square
- dominant colour blue
- I have up to 18 small 3" square prints of cats that can be used, perhaps as a border feature
- I could include another colour to give it a lift if needed, but would prefer to stick to blues or blue + cream

I don't know how elaborate to make it, however it could include appique or embroidery as well as I am confident I could do this.

My best idea so far is attached, however I am having trouble finding examples of this sort of quilt design style. I am not overly happy with the outer border as I think it is too fussy and I don't think I have made the design large enough to fit my size requirements, but as I am the beginner I release myself to any advice and examples/suggestions I might get here.

Thankyou

What about changing the stars to Dresden Plates or Grandmother's Fan, the corner ones would be three sections, and the centre of the borders would be two sections. I think your design is lovely, and would look great with a large print in the middle.

i was just thinking a ball of yarn in each corner of the border and then strings of the yarn extending out. then applique some smaller cats along the string.

its a little on the nose but cat lovers might like it.

I would love to see what you decide!

Wow, it's pretty! My only suggestion for the border would be to paper piece it. I think. I'm very new to paper piecing - fairly new to quilting in general - but it's almost like a Mariner's Compass, isn't it?

http://www.equiltpatterns.com/quiltp...roducts_id=531

I am still having trouble coming up with any other ideas. I thought maybe some embroidery between the cat blocks, or an embroidered quote or something could add interest.

I still want to break up the plain colours a lot more

I have a couple of new fat quarters to play with
- two debbie mumm designs and william morris cats

I think I will use the pink/red around the morris cats to highlight other areas of the quilt...

Ack... still lost on design ideas, but thought I would share the progress (or lack of...)

Still not happy with the design or use of fabrics yet.

I prefer your first design but then again I am partial to Mariners compass blocks.

You are right, in the second design you need something to break up all that blue background. Perhaps some narrow inner borders in red and white/cream (1/2" finished perhaps) or maybe even a light gray. Or narrow sashing between the stars in a color other than blue? White maybe or a cream color?

FF

WOW! Great design!

I like the second one. The solid blue could be broken up by imaginative quilting designs in shapes relating to cats, ie: birds, mice, fish etc.