Kayak quilt
 

I have a grandson that is really into kayaking. He competes all over the US and even in Europe. He's on the Swedish Junior Team (he's half Swedish and has dual citizenship) even though he lives in Colorado. I would like to make a quilt that would reflect his passion, but the crossed canoe pattern is the only thing I've seen that remotely looks like a kayak. Has anyone made a quilt with a kayaking theme? I'm just looking for some ideas!

Congratulations!!!
IMHO, it would work well to take a photo of someone kayaking, blow it way up and use the cut out pieces as patterns to create it with machine or hand applique. I have done this with dogs, an eagle (see avatar) , and a couple of rock stars (those were commissions) and found it to be much easier than it sounds. If you select your photo carefully, you won't have to worry about the face at all. (That being the hard part.) Then you can use multiple borders and/or images around that. If your don't have the option of doing this on your home printer, take the photo to a copy shop. Explain that it does not matter if the blow up is beyond the "fuzz point". Most copy shops can do poster sized blow ups. Shop around for prices, as they vary a lot. Preferably, make 2 copies. Use a marker to define color areas. Cut one up. Use the other as a guideline for your work.

This may not be too original but there's a block pattern called "Crossed Canoes" that might be cool. I know canoes aren't kayaks, but...

I've used the method QM describes and have had good luck with it. I'm currently working on a quilt for my nephew that likes to skateboard. I blew up a picture of a skateboarder and will applique pieces together for the center of the quilt. It would be great if you could use an actual picture of him. Then you could copy the picture on fabric for the label. Be sure to let us see what you decide on......

Dover Books has some great illustrations and silhouettes in their water sports and summer sports books. Put a few silhouettes on a scrappy blue quilt and make it special!

Could you digitize something like this for your embroidery machine? http://www.amazon.com/KAYAKING-ZONE-.../dp/B0046B6KQW Or even enlarge & appliqué it?

I agree with taking a picture, tracing the basic shape of what you want, and blowing it up, and going from there.

These are great ideas! I'll be looking forward to seeing your project as it progresses.

Thanks, gals! I like the picture enlarged for applique thing! He's on YouTube in videos, but I don't have a still picture of him. Maybe I could get his mom to send me some that I could enlarge and print out on Printed Treasures. I've done several quilts that way. One was of his older brother when he was about 9 (he's nineteen now) catching his first fish. I'll probably make him a lap size so he can haul it around with him.

When he comes to visit, be sure to take him to Bricktown and the kayaking on the Oklahoma River, there are several young people preparing for the olimpics, it is evidently the new thing to do. Wonderful experience. Even seniors can go. I will bring some pictures tomarrow and scan them in and send them. Computer is not set up yet at home.