How To: Make a Faux Zebra Hide Bromeliad's February Jumpstart Project 2009

Title: Faux Zebra Hide
Name: Bromeliad
Time: 5 hours
Cost: 50 cents (fabric was free)
Bromeliad's faux zebra hide is a PETA-friendly alternative to the real McCoy — perfect for those that like the graphic impact of an animal print without the ... impact. Click above for the pics and head below for all the instructions. Give Bromeliad a THUMBS UP if you find this project helpful....

TOOLS:
White vinyl fabric, 1 or 2 yards depending on size of finished hide
Access to a digital projector
Washable marker or pen
Permanent marker
Scissors

STEPS:
1. Find a digital image of a zebra hide taken straight on and project it on to you fabric, enlarging to the desired size.
2. Trace an outline of the hide and stripes using washable pen.
3. Color in the stripes using permanent marker.
4. Allow marker to dry completely before cutting out faux hide.

RESOURCES:
Used digital projector at work after hours

Give Bromeliad a THUMBS UP if you find this project helpful....

To Jumpstart Page Info and All Entries

Comments (13)

If I so much as address a package with a permanent marker, the chemical stench lingers for hours. Won't a person get high on the fumes this must emit? Nothing green about that.

While I find the idea of a faux zebra rug amusing, if I was doing this I'd probably do it as a painted floorcloth, since I too cannot deal with the odor of markers (can't even have a whiteboard in our house) But it could be done with heavy canvas and paint as well.

Cute idea, but the edges are curling up and creating a tripping hazard. Having made floor cloths in the past, I too would opt for a heavy canvas, paint and a couple of coats of water-based polyurethane.

What a terrific idea for a kids room, I mean it is great for adults to... But this could be a fun family project!

Thanks for the idea!
Melissa with Yourfurniturelink and Mortise & Tenon LA

I'd go with floorcloth (not that I've ever tried it) unless I really really needed a wipe-able surface.

Is there a good way to keep the vinyl from curling?

Also, on one of those home-makeover shows where they build out a wacky plywood set in your bedroom and call it an improvement, they used a similar technique to make a whole wall mural. I was watching on jet blue but it looked pretty good on the airplane screen.

I agree with Lori- cheapo vinyl fabric...will just look cheaper- canvas and paints though a bit more time consuming would make it a bit better looking.

I am worried about the permanent marker on vinyl though. It always came off with a little perspiration- not a lot but enough to leave a nice nasty line on some bare skin ;/

Cruelty-free! Yeah!!!!! More kind design please!!!

OMG! I've been wanting a zebra rug forever and have always been stopped by the $400 price tag. I am so going to do this!

I've always thought this would be a great conversation piece.
http://readymade.com/project/alpine_high/ Too funny!

i wish i had a projector, than i would make a rug like that!

I think it would be good on the back side of a linoleum scrap. I have made floor cloths from that and they turned out great and didn't curl up on the edges. Just use a lot of sealer to keep the design from wearing out too quickly from walking on it.

Looks awesome. I'm going to try it =)
What type of the pen was used?