Debra Gabel of Zebra Patterns gives a lecture to the guild on Creativity

Debra has a degree in graphic arts. She began making quilts for her son and friends' children. Her first pattern was a Christmas stocking.

Go where creative people are. Go to quilt shows, museums. Take classes; just take scraps to class to learn the technique. [Who wants another UFO?] Use the next guild challenge try out the technique.

Enter guild challenges, which provide parameters for you to work. Debra made this first postage stamp quilt for our 2007 FCQ President's challenge.

Listen to what people are saying to you, such as: "Are you going to make a pattern of that?"

Debra Gabel's City stamp patterns - Baltimore

Debra Gabel's State Stamp patterns - Ohio. Do an Internet image search to brainstorm for ideas on a topic. Don’t copy; use the ideas in your own sketch.

Debra Gabel's newest stamp pattern - America. "Work on something you’re passionate about."

Move of Debra's city stamp patterns.
Tip: to print a full-size quilt design, use “tiling” print option

“Design 101” rule: A quilt is a Golden Rectangle divided into thirds vertically and horizontally. Put the horizon on one of these lines, not in the middle.

Tip: to prevent fading of digital photos printed on cloth, apply “fix” just like chalk pastels.

Display of flower wall quilts from Debra's patterns

Display of bird wall quilts from Debra's patterns

Debra Gabel's quilt from all 12 of her bird patterns

Debra Gabel's quilt from all 12 of her butterfly patterns

Debra Gabel's 'In the Beginning' quilt of her 12 Bible block patterns