what would you do with these fabrics?
 

I found these two fabrics at a thrift shop. I'm not sure of the original intended purpose for them--decor, clothing, ??? They appear to be cotton and not really heavier than good quilting cotton. Anyone recognize them? There are no markings on the selvages.

Anyway, what would you make with them? The African print has beautiful copper metallic accents. I'm not into clothing and have never made a handbag. I stick mostly with wall hangings and quilts, although I might tackle a bag some day.

Thanks for your suggestions and comments.

I would use the fabrics whole as the center of a quilt and use borders (Pieced or strips) to make the focus fabric pop. Very nice pieces. Be sure to post photos of what you do:)

I definitely would not cut them. Probably make wholecloth quilts from them.

Love the 1st one! You could applique tumbling blocks or any block randomly in the large blank space. That would be so Cool! And I would get Feline Fanatic quilt it. She is Awesome!

The first thing that popped into my head, was old-fashioned head scarves or shawls (depending upon the size), folded on the diagonal.

Make a quilt.

How about using them as backings ... and do the front of the quilt with coordinated fabrics, and a design that keeps to the same mood of the yardage on the back? Would be like having two quilts in one!

[QUOTE=QuiltE;6245107]How about using them as backings ... and do the front of the quilt with coordinated fabrics, and a design that keeps to the same mood of the yardage on the back? Would be like having two quilts in one![/QUOTE What she said.:D

I couldn't cut them up so I see whole cloth quilts here. Both pieces are great and some beautiful quilting would make them awesome.
peace

This type of fabric was popular for a short time a few years ago and was meant to make gored type circle skirts. You cut out each piece curving the bottom then sew several triangles together. Each yard would do two gores. You could use it to make a round table topper to keep the look of the piece if you have enough to make enough pieces to complete the circle or design a table runner. Both pieces are great, especially like the first one.

hem the edges and use it as a tablecloth

I like mostt of the others would not cut the fabrics. I would use them in the center of the quilt.

I agree. Don't cut them.

I especially like the first fabric, and think it would make a beautiful bag or throw pillow.

I would cut out large squares (10 or 12") out of the interesting parts of the fabrics--the African print I would then add to my African fabric plastic tub and the interesting houses would go into my novelty fabrics. Then I would take the rest-- most of the brown and the pink and cut them into 2.5", 2" and 1.5" strips and throw it into my strips bags. ;)

It's interesting to know that these fabrics were meant to go into skirts. But that's not what I will do :)

I hadn't thought about using them as backings. I'll consider that and all the other suggestions. Thank you!

Gorgeous fabrics! The ideas are great and it will be fun to see what you decide to do with them!

Mail the top one to me and then get the book City Quilts for the city scape one!

Why not make a full circle "skirt" as the middle of your quilt top? This is what the fabric was meant for, and I think it would be lovely. Would you have enough to do that? Add coordinating fabric around the edges to get it the size you want. The center might need some applique also. Just an idea.

Aww, hairquilt that is so sweet of you to say! :o

For that first one, I would leave it as a whole cloth. That brown solid in the center would be great for some very geometric quilting desings to mimic the graphics in the print which are fabulous. Great thrift shop score on those.

I was tickled to find these fabrics--only $3 for both of them, too! I haven't made any decisions yet about what to make with them but I knew I had to buy them :)

I like the first one. Maybe find some African themed fabrics and make a quilt and use that as a backing.

Beautiful fabrics and great score! If you do decide to cut the fabrics, I would join the two halves of the circle and use it as a center medallion. Then find coordinating fabrics for a pieced border.

They appear to be mirror images. I'd check out Paula Nadelstern's kaleidoscope method. That is if you can bear to cut them at all.

Very interesting fabric.

I have some of the printed fabric that looks like buildings. It was a panel that I found at WM and bought. I am cutting mine in strips and using it to make a mile a minute quilt.

Please remember, the original question is what "I" would do:

The first one, being a really interesting African print, first I would slice each of the qtr circle parts into 3 wedges, that would give me 6. Then, out of the remaining brown, and maybe with some additional browns, blacks, and maybe using a french braid type pattern on them I'd cut enough wedges to make a circle. That would be the center of my quilt. I would add maybe some log cabin blocks at the corners and make a rectangle/square, and border it with animal prints fabrics, maybe in some type of zig zag pattern. Then I'd FMQ basenjis all over it! I would use some copper metallic thread for some of it

I'd make it really busy, as that's how basenjis are

Now, what do I suggest you do? Let your imagination go, and let your creative side have fun!

The second one? My brain's too tired after all that creative thinking - I have nothing

you don't say how large the fabric is however it reminds me of the fabrics used for an African wrap dress or sarong. This is a whole fabric dress which is wrapped and tied around the body. It's very cool and comfortable.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5665969_wrap-african-dress.html

What Jackie said makes the most sense to me. They are both nice pieces and I'd love to see what you do with them

Whole cloth quilts! Wouldn't cut them up.

the African print would make a beauty of a quilt for fall. I love that one.
Pat

I don't completely understand this; I haven't studied it enough, but this would use the fabric as intended. Also Jackie (post #10) sort of said the same thing.

The second piece would be a second quilt - table topper - wall hanging - ???. They will be lovely however you use them. Can't wait to see a picture of the finished product - products.

Wow, wish I could find bits of fabric like that. I wouldn't want to cut the up either!

The first thing I thought of was a skirt. I sewed a bunch of border skirts in the early 80's. It drew the eye to the pattern :) and I was able to have quite a few, because I made them. Thanks to Mrs Patton for teaching me how to sew.

I didn't choose basenjis as my stitching pattern 'just because'
I chose them because they are from Africa, and I make quilts as prizes for our national show, using a lot of African print fabric