Help with Southwestern quilt for FIL
 

We're from AZ. FIL loves where he is from, old SW part of the country, old cars, etc. I found 2 yds of this Susan Wingett for Joann fabric at the Spring Hill Mill sale and it is so HIM! I've never made him anything as their home is very contemporary and I'm very old fashioned, but his Bday is in the Spring so I'm going to give it a go.

I've searched online for this fabric and cannot find it, I was hoping someone else would have made something with it!

The pattern repeats about every 28 inches horizontally . How would you cut this up? The scenes blend into other scenes I was thinking it would look good with a brown or tan (or both) batik's, but would love any recommendations on HOW to use this fabric in a quilt! Also, how would I quilt such a busy scenic design without taking away from the print on the fabric?

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...114_065316.jpg

I'm too new to give advice but had to comment on material - it's Beautiful, and I'm not usually into 'scene' fabric. I like your idea of batiks to compliment it. Best wishes on your project!

I love this print!! I see your dilema. I think you would have to fussy cut small enough squares that they wouldnt need quilting except maybe stitch in the ditch around it. I agree with using both color batiks as sashings between blocks - do the major quilting there. Cant wait to see what you do!

I think I'd use the Warm Wishes pattern. You could cut large blocks of that as the focus fabric and do the pieced blocks in tan, cream and brown? For a fabric pattern that is hard to quilt, I find an all over meander design works best for me. For some reason even though it goes all over the quilt top, it doesn't distract from the pattern for some reason. Maybe it's just me? Does any one else love the meander for the same reason?

If the repeats are every 28 inches, you might consider 28" blocks. you could 'sash' them with pinwheel blocks?

Thanks everyone for the reccomendations so far!

I was also thinking I could cut the fabric horizontally (44" across) in about half and piece horizontal sections and alternate the focus w/ pieced sections.. I can't find a picture like what I mean, I'm still looking. Warm Wishes is cute and looks easy, but I don't seem to have enough- only about 2 yds.

Nan has the solution I think - Cut a feature block and built around it with any kind of design block you would like.

Yes, I did the feature block idea on a wildlife quilt. It worked great.

What about one of those "window" quilts? Then boarder it to be the size you want?

Mucky, do you have a picture or link to show me what you mean?

How about doing "Attic Windows"? You could then use black or dark brown for your shadows and could even do batik in browns for the sides of the window.

Your idea of a row quilt, cutting horizontally and using pieced blocks between each row, is probably the best way to keep the scene. This would make the quilt look more contemporary in fitting with their taste. I think that fabric is terrific. Looking forward to seeing how you use it.

Or what about using a fusible black bias to get a window that looks more like this
http://www.quiltknit.com/Salisbury-W...o_p_11693.html

Very nice fabric. I am sure however you use it will be wonderful

Have you looked at the BQ2 quilt?? The blocks are really simple and QUICK !! You could change the block size to what ever you thought was best. GOOD LUCK. My Dad lived in the Southeast of AZ for many years just west of Tombstone. I miss the beautiful sunsets !!!

I love this print! Very pretty fabric.

I don't have the answer but it seams to me to cut it into 28" squares would waste so much fabric. It is too beautiful to waste.
Here is a place to go you may be able to find some fabric that will go with it well.
http://www.e-prairiegirls.com/

How about a 9-patch pizazz kind of quilt by Judy Sisneros? That showcases a fabulous fabric and you could go light and dark on the other blending pieces.

I made a quilt that uses an idea similar to what you mentioned here. The pattern is called "Too Cute to Cut" and is in the Winter 2010 Quilts and More magazine which is one of the BHG quilt mags. Your fabric looks like it would be perfect for cutting into sections and then using either a coordinating fabric in between or the pieced sections as you mentioned. This could also be a more contemporary look as you said FIL likes.

Suern3, is the the picture on the cover of that magazine?
http://www.artofsoul.net/cgi-bin/web...55111470515.a8
If so.. I think I could wing it. Now I'm wondering if I could frame each horizontal piece and then piece some of the alternate ones. Can you tell I want to piece a little? :)

This is a awesome picture. I'm not sure I could cut it.

I have just the pattern for you. I use this for all pictoral prints that I find. It is easy and can be made an many sizes. The only trick is in the cutting. Read twice before cutting anything. The Pattern is Prairie Window. Check it out at www.quiltwoman.com or www.make-it-easy.com

I would cut a square opening in paper or cardboard and see how large a block it would require to get the motifs and then use the large blocks as a focal Might just put sashing around it.

Several years ago I used a jungle print that was printed in large motifs. I just cut it into squares and did an attic window type sashing around it. I didn't try and cut specific motifs but just let the cut fall where it would.
You almost don't know that it was cut without fussy cutting from one fabric. I made mock attic window sashing in which the mitre wasn't cut and stitched but folded at the corner. It was very easy to make and quick.

Check out panel print quilt designs to see how they spaced blocks and set them off with different sashings/blocks. Random sized blocks would be interesting. I like your idea of batiks that go with your sepia print. I'd use a see through template to fussy cut fabric, selecting area you want to highlight. You will lose some scene as you cut out and focus on a section-can't be helped. Very unusual fabric and I'll bet your FIL will love the quilt.

I too would make it into a center panel. Lots of great ideas here!