I began making zebras after trying to make one with a piece of zebra print fabric. The stripes ran in the wrong directions and looked odd on her face. So I digitized my sewing pattern and then created the stripes following the patterns of a zebra. (I took her picture at Brevard Zoo, in Florida) It was a challenge, a lot of trial and error, but eventually I got the stripes to line up on the fabric in such a way that they created a natural looking zebra when sewn together. After that I experimented by filling the stripe areas with color.
Close up of zebra muzzle
The zebra’s muzzle was the most challenging. I had to get three pieces to align perfectly. I also had to shape it in a way that would fit my my signature animal smile.
Zebra Process
Here I have laid out yardage of zebra parts printed on plush minky fabric and layered on a thick fleece fabric. I cut the pieces and then sew them together to form the zebra head. The main is attached strand by strand with a combination of glue and hand stitching after the sewing is complete.
