Well personally I would chop it up as small as possible, but I can appreciate that this is for a 22-year-old male. And the fabric actually is pretty neat. It would make an interesting OBW with whole parts for some of the blocks and the border. Or if you have a lot of it, use it for the border and backing and make something using those colors for the front. Be sure to show us what you did, because whatever you do it will be interesting.

Even at my ripe ol' age of 73 I can see why he doesn't want the fabric cut. I'm anxious to know the size of it also. I will be anxiously waiting to see how you make it into a quilt for him, but I totallly agree, that is too spectacular to cut up.

I can see why he doesn't want it cut. While the subject is not appealing to me, it has beautiful colors. I have no suggestions, but I like the ones so far, especially the 9 patch. Thanks for starting this thread, I was going to ask the same question about a floral panel I have. I got floral fabric to make different borders and then decided it needs something besides borders. I think I will go with 9 patch.

piano keys in picked out brights----black borders with applique sculls /writing etc but do not cut it up as requested -- outline quilt it -- it will annimate it

I love the fabric myself and do understand not cutting it up but I just felt so limited when he said to use it as a huge center piece. I kind of went blank other than several borders which sounded so boring. Thanks for the suggestions...I like the 9 patch idea but how many colors/fabrics would you use for that? I will look up the stack and whack because I do not know what that is. I like the star idea too.
Oh yeah, I bought 3.5 yards of it.

this is a MUST for the BQ2 pattern! scroll down near the bottom of this page and you can see it!
http://www.mapleislandquilts.com/quiltpatterns.asp

I had a fabric I couldn't cut either, and I think it ended up looking very good with borders. I will try to attach a picture or two. If he doesn't want the fabric cut, I sure wouldn't cut it.

Dina

There is a book called, Just Can't This by Pamela Mostek which has some beautiful quilts and patterns.

Stunning fabric....Dina, yours is just beautiful too, and very nicely put together. Some great ideas from everyone...I personally like the idea of using plains/tonals in a nine patch around a plain border....please do show us what you come up with.

I agree. I wouldn't cut it. I usually try to comply with someones wishes unless I know it absolutely won't look good. BTW I really like the fabric!