Out of African Fabrics? We Can Help!

Inspired by Black History Month and the long, rich history of textile design in Africa, this week we asked competing designers to create African-inspired fabrics. The contest was full of beautiful, colorful riffs on the colors and patterns we associate with African design. The top spot goes to a design from first-time winnerMolipop, titled "Inspiration Africa." Congratulations to all who participated!

The final vote totals, for those who follow such things, were:

1. 379 votes for inspiration africa by molipop 
2. 369 votes for Oba Zinc by spellstone 
3. 341 votes for AfricanJulie'sFabric by juliestricks 
4. 310 votes for Flora Africa Protea by cjldesigns 
5. 305 votes for Strong by vo_aka_virginiao 
6. 302 votes for africanbirds by johanna_design 
7. 297 votes for AMBOSELI KENYA ELEPHANT PARADE by bzbdesigner 
8. 286 votes for African_tribal_design1_col1 by pattern_addict 
9. 278 votes for AfricAfrica by cassiopee 
10. 260 votes for tribal lace doodle pattern by anastasiia-ku 

11. 258 votes for African Nursery by natitys 
12. 244 votes for Asha vines by chulabird 
13. 242 votes for African Quilt by dianne_annelli 
14. 231 votes for African ladies by kociara 
15. 230 votes for African Ladies (Please zoom for detail) by zesti 
16. 228 votes for Africa by graceful 
17. 224 votes for The Vibrance of Africa by charldia 
18. 219 votes for Ghana Blooms by jennartdesigns 
19. 219 votes for Impalas Running Free by rubydoor 
20. 218 votes for Beads and Baskets by blondfish 
21. 218 votes for Africa Nouveau by jabiroo 
22. 211 votes for African Animal Sunrise by sara_berrenson 
23. 210 votes for Ananse's Web by jwitting 
24. 208 votes for African Beach hut by motiver 
25. 204 votes for spindots_afrikans solar flare by glimmericks 
26. 204 votes for Africa_fluo by vannina 
27. 204 votes for Kenya Patchwork by david_kent_collections 
28. 203 votes for AfricanInspired by mandakay 
29. 197 votes for raffia by scrummy 
30. 194 votes for BaKuba-ed by chicca_besso 
31. 192 votes for African Soil by konoko 
32. 183 votes for African Dreams by kezia 
33. 181 votes for African Print Wax Print by janelle_wooten 
34. 178 votes for By the Light of the Moon (please zoom for detail) by noaleco 
35. 174 votes for Mask by zsonzsy 
36. 169 votes for Adire Eleko by mag-o 
37. 164 votes for african_animals by elinvanegmond 
38. 164 votes for Twiga by jenimp 
39. 163 votes for karen2 by hooeybatiks 
40. 157 votes for African Indigo by katieschrader 
41. 156 votes for Etats d'Afrique by grafikat 
42. 155 votes for blue batik by karinka 
43. 150 votes for Delft cowrie by nalo_hopkinson 
44. 148 votes for Block Print -African by koalalady 
45. 147 votes for AfricanDesign_tns by cricquette 
46. 146 votes for Africa by angel_mio 
47. 146 votes for The Ones before us by vnewton 
48. 145 votes for African_Fish by gukuuki 
49. 143 votes for Rhinos and waterholes by su_g 
50. 141 votes for African Inspired - Miranda Mol by miranda_mol 
51. 138 votes for BOUBOU ! by demigoutte 
52. 137 votes for Diamond-Dots_Camo by weezygrapes 
53. 135 votes for african_textile_final by de_froy 
54. 133 votes for Mudcloth in citron by domesticate 
55. 132 votes for Tribal in Russet by delsie 
56. 130 votes for African Elephant by katiame 
57. 128 votes for afro by katarina 
58. 127 votes for Olive-green by amymalcolm 
59. 126 votes for Dancing Checks by shellyaloha 
60. 125 votes for African Geometric by kimsa 
61. 125 votes for 1b by erika_rose 
62. 125 votes for Mudcloth patterns by unseen_gallery_fabrics 
63. 125 votes for African Ankhs by amel24 
64. 123 votes for Southern Circles by robyriker 
65. 123 votes for African Tafari Tribal Pattern by holladay 
66. 123 votes for dancing in the sun 1 by tiina_laas 
67. 122 votes for Africa Celebration by maplewooddesignstudio 
68. 122 votes for Basketweave 3 (best viewed as yardage) by greennote 
69. 121 votes for Mosaic Purple Tiles by cvoorhee 
70. 120 votes for BrightMosaic by mrshervi 
71. 118 votes for AfricanMix by grannynan 
72. 117 votes for Hieroglyphic Translations by susanpolston 
73. 116 votes for AdinkraInspired by studio_lulu 
74. 114 votes for Earthy stripe by demouse 
75. 114 votes for African Fusion by fable_design 
76. 113 votes for African-inspired by amedward 
77. 113 votes for Africana by darcibeth 
78. 113 votes for bloom by ottomanbrim 
79. 110 votes for African Crazy Quilt by poetryqn 
80. 110 votes for africanb5 by sary 
81. 110 votes for l'afrique by coisasfugidias 
82. 109 votes for aya by nadiahassan 
83. 109 votes for African geometrics fabric by dogdaze_ 
84. 107 votes for Afrikaan II by wwgoddess 
85. 107 votes for roxie_batik by roxiespeople 
86. 106 votes for Peacock Colour by lusyspoon 
87. 106 votes for mudcloth - spoonflower story by sef 
88. 105 votes for Horns by anahata 
89. 101 votes for Tribal Eyes by ravynscache 
90. 101 votes for Swirls by eiralav 
91. 101 votes for Palm Beach Kuba by gracemellow 
92. 100 votes for marzlene_beauty_2384 by marzlene'z_eye_candy 
93. 100 votes for Afrik by joniok 
94. 98 votes for Nile Lotus cut and sew girl's dress- temporary contest size by motyka 
95. 97 votes for Moorish Sands by edsel2084 
96. 96 votes for africa__Swing_print by blimblimb 
97. 95 votes for Adinkra Cloth by illustrative_images 
98. 95 votes for Morocco_again by penelopeventura 
99. 94 votes for kijani tribal pattern by stefaube 
100. 92 votes for elephant_safari-ed by cherb 
101. 92 votes for Africalia by maruqui 
102. 88 votes for Diamond Inverted Plaid with Pink by pond_ripple 
103. 86 votes for african batik textile by rubypixel 
104. 86 votes for African_Print by saenzdesign 
105. 84 votes for A Modern Africa by sketchcreative 
106. 83 votes for in the name of love by iamseamonster 
107. 83 votes for african_stripes_black by hmooreart 
108. 82 votes for Savage Tribe Fabric by pirophobia 
109. 82 votes for Along the Nile by designtrends 
110. 80 votes for Reverberations 1 by fireflower 
111. 79 votes for african intention © 2012 Jill Bull by fabricfarmer_by_jill_bull 
112. 78 votes for African-inspired-01 by kalinoe 
113. 78 votes for African Princess by eeniemeenie 
114. 78 votes for Powerful Women Standing on Their Own Shoulders by robin_rice 
115. 77 votes for Faces of Africa by mulberry_tree 
116. 77 votes for Faux wax-Olive by designertre 
117. 75 votes for Zulu Beer Baskets by forest&sea 
118. 75 votes for Blue Lovely afrikaan Zebra seamless pattern by jamesdean 
119. 74 votes for Zebra_blue by pat_sy 
120. 74 votes for applique-style adoption kuba cloth by weavingmajor 
121. 73 votes for In_Bloom by 3montanachicks 
122. 73 votes for Prayer Stripes by whimzwhirled 
123. 73 votes for African_zulu_warrior by podaiboo 
124. 72 votes for Inspired by African designs - purple by martaharvey 
125. 72 votes for "You fly, I fly" on rust by anniedeb 
126. 72 votes for African Waterfall by arttreedesigns 
127. 71 votes for AFRICAN ARROWS MUD CLOTH by bluevelvet 
128. 71 votes for Tribal Star turquoise by flyingfish 
129. 70 votes for African_Print by kstarbuck 
130. 70 votes for Victorian Africa by fantazya 
131. 70 votes for Amma by angelger28 
132. 69 votes for african_-_inspired by tat1 
133. 68 votes for ya_ya by kcs 
134. 68 votes for Camp Kajumba by carfino-hines 
135. 68 votes for Savannah by efabrics 
136. 68 votes for Africa by mammajamma 
137. 67 votes for African Elephants by emysue2005 
138. 67 votes for Bese_Saka_Flora by pink_koala_design 
139. 67 votes for chocolate diamonds by zantoka 
140. 66 votes for Giraffe_pattern_flat by kschnell 
141. 66 votes for African-Textiles-Design by errozero 
142. 66 votes for African_soul by alfabesi 
143. 66 votes for Evening Savannah by lilichi 
144. 66 votes for African Pride by loeff 
145. 65 votes for Crosses and Wheels by amandamaypolson 
146. 65 votes for Woman Is Warrior by peacoquettedesigns 
147. 65 votes for gnu2-ed by cricket_hill_designs 
148. 64 votes for Celebrate by pcpaint 
149. 64 votes for Tribal Shield by rhondadesigns 
150. 63 votes for Safari-tastic by groovity 
151. 62 votes for Africa in my heart by akwaflorell 
152. 61 votes for a heart for Africa by kaija 
153. 61 votes for African tribe 2013 by creative_merritt 
154. 60 votes for IMG_3347_-_Copy-ed-ed by nicole_clark 
155. 59 votes for African_10x10_Swatch_3 by paulin_studio 
156. 59 votes for Outsiders One by artbecks 
157. 59 votes for African Flowers Blue by curious_nook 
158. 58 votes for giraffebatik by cerys 
159. 58 votes for Zebra fur by hannafate 
160. 57 votes for boubou2 by leitmotifs 
161. 57 votes for Earthy Geometry by jencameron 
162. 57 votes for African_organism by kirsten_miller 
163. 56 votes for Tribal Shield by designedtoat 
164. 55 votes for African Weave by kerryn 
165. 54 votes for African_Colours by yezarck 
166. 54 votes for African women with beads by kiwiandsteve 
167. 54 votes for Utility Box Faux Wax Print by susaninparis 
168. 54 votes for Mother Africa by lizaalk 
169. 53 votes for bordered_african_strength by khowardquilts 
170. 53 votes for "Sapphire" by jeanfogelberg 
171. 52 votes for africa2_patern by d'lee-d'laa 
172. 51 votes for Desert Sun by silvermyst 
173. 51 votes for Beautiful Wonder by fabricbydaelight 
174. 51 votes for Alexander's Quilt by haleystudio 
175. 51 votes for African Inspired by shannonkornis 
176. 50 votes for African_inspired_brown by kirstylovescardboard 
177. 50 votes for sqaure by jess_freidt 
178. 50 votes for African dolls by made_in_shina 
179. 50 votes for EthnomusicoloTree: Zimbabwe x 5 by thecameronquinn 
180. 50 votes for African Inspired by jadegordon 
181. 50 votes for Geometric Abstract by missekate 
182. 50 votes for Bogolan by ormolu 
183. 49 votes for <3 Colour by tscho 
184. 49 votes for Morocco One by rachellousews 
185. 49 votes for africa1 by studio_ggc 
186. 48 votes for Sub-Saharan Sketch by sammyk 
187. 48 votes for Summer Heat Ovals and Stripes © Gingezel™ Inc. 2011 by gingezel 
188. 47 votes for Granada (hand drawing, african version) by kirpa 
189. 46 votes for Mask_Fabric_copy by kemetgirl 
190. 46 votes for Urban Tribe by andibird 
191. 46 votes for African Swirls_large repeat_with patterned background by kfrogb 
192. 46 votes for zebra_Image by artsylady 
193. 45 votes for Zebra by krussimages 
194. 45 votes for Dale Chihuly printed fabric by julianahhhhhhh 
195. 45 votes for hearted in color by simut 
196. 45 votes for Kids African Elephant by kidsart2sew 
197. 44 votes for Hummingbird by katharina_michaela 
198. 43 votes for African Inspired by theboutiquestudio 
199. 43 votes for Traditional African Print/ Pelej by pelej 
200. 42 votes for idea12-ch by rdilley 
201. 42 votes for Kente inspired africa in green, blue and cream by little_fish 
202. 42 votes for elesamesize by higgiwiggi 
203. 42 votes for tribal2 by joybea 
204. 42 votes for Ethiopian Christ by pkfridley 
205. 41 votes for Africa by wiccked 
206. 41 votes for african by mybohohome 
207. 41 votes for Tangled up in Red by fond 
208. 41 votes for SoftGeoRedBlackGreen by jonburgessdesign 
209. 40 votes for African diamond by heanne 
210. 40 votes for Vibration by njeridesigns 
211. 40 votes for Bright and Stylized by ninjaauntsdesigns 
212. 40 votes for afrika by sydama 
213. 40 votes for African sunset by janalinde 
214. 40 votes for Synergy by treasunique 
215. 39 votes for Carrion Crocodile by spoonnan 
216. 39 votes for Desert Wind & Fire by reen_walker 
217. 39 votes for Monkey tails by ebygomm 
218. 39 votes for Pyramids by allida 
219. 38 votes for freakie dashiki 2 by charzzy 
220. 37 votes for Elephant - The NEW Animal Skin! by mariafaithgarcia 
221. 37 votes for Igbo_Bloodline by warriorprincess6904 
222. 37 votes for African Inspired by linsart 
223. 37 votes for adinkra by mongiesama 
224. 36 votes for tiger eyes by krs_expressions 
225. 36 votes for red bugs attack by grafite 
226. 36 votes for Red Earth by createdgift 
227. 36 votes for Heart of Africa, copyright seasparkles 2013 by seasparkles 
228. 35 votes for heart of Africa by ekeskleurdesign 
229. 35 votes for Fishing in the Ocean by melachmulik 
230. 35 votes for African Flag Dots by rmurdock 
231. 35 votes for elephantFABRIC by artthatmoves 
232. 35 votes for Africa_5 by marina_popska 
233. 35 votes for African Beauty by amy_g 
234. 32 votes for tumblr_mgzfcfQg1h1rvjahko1_1280 by kyle_brogan 
235. 32 votes for Adinkra Sunrise-ch by artist_at_work 
236. 32 votes for Zoo Filmstrip by eppiepeppercorn 
237. 32 votes for Asase Ya by rubyhraefen 
238. 31 votes for Geometric K3 3646 by wyspyr 
239. 31 votes for Pompi by joancaronil 
240. 31 votes for Cocamonga by pattyseeger 
241. 31 votes for Abstract Jungle by delaneyg 
242. 30 votes for African_Visage by bloomingwyldeiris 
243. 30 votes for African_Patterns by jae_ess_kay 
244. 29 votes for Peacock Chandeliers by jennyc 
245. 29 votes for Africa by arts_and_herbs 
246. 29 votes for AFRICA 4 by jan-minto 
247. 29 votes for flamingo_textile-ed-ed by daylintaylor 
248. 29 votes for Guatopo-Design_Mombasa_2012 by guatopodesign 
249. 29 votes for african patch weave by paragonstudios 
250. 27 votes for Tribal Painting by clarissa_marie 
251. 27 votes for Blue African tribal painting 01 by dk_designs 
252. 27 votes for Barcelona 98 by sew_delightful 
253. 26 votes for West African Inspired Fabric by yourfriendamy 
254. 26 votes for Painted Circles by engelstudios 
255. 25 votes for White Stripes 1 by galleryhakon 
256. 24 votes for African Flower by hannahnissendesigns 
257. 24 votes for Rumble in the jungle by simoneandginko 
258. 23 votes for kamado mask by herb'n_fresh 
259. 23 votes for African Brights by cealvee 
260. 23 votes for batik_2_Ankara by anino 
261. 22 votes for African_Zulu_Valentine_ Bead _Letter by Sylvie by art_on_fabric 
262. 22 votes for ps_fina's shape glyph by ps_fina 
263. 22 votes for 7_evaristoMICHAEL_contest by michaellre 
264. 22 votes for Sabika by vaslittlecrow 
265. 22 votes for Color_Pencil_Sketch_Leaves by quinney 
266. 22 votes for Kitenge by tajaan 
267. 21 votes for Kaleidoscope - Aqua by lumin_nation 
268. 21 votes for African_inspired-Nandita_Singh by nandita_singh 
269. 21 votes for Supreme Toxic by sissysoo 
270. 21 votes for Graffiti Graphic 1, S by animotaxis 
271. 20 votes for Copy_of_autocollage_scarf2013_AutoCollage_7_Images-ch by sandor_sipos 
272. 19 votes for an evergreen wood texture by adrianne_nicole 
273. 19 votes for chatter_ by kalutz 
274. 18 votes for African by juliarobine 
275. 17 votes for painted dots by studiojelien 
276. 17 votes for 12 by jackfly 
277. 17 votes for Xhosa rondavel by reallovely 
278. 17 votes for BeFunky_COLOURlovers by librarysherry 
279. 16 votes for Africa by kjacobsart 
280. 16 votes for African Orange Abstract by carla_joy 
281. 16 votes for Love • Africa by nicoledanette 
282. 15 votes for Fun! by intherainland 
283. 15 votes for african_fabric by maedecart 
284. 15 votes for Colorful African Print by scrapitdesigns 
285. 15 votes for Leafs of Altadena by edward_gould 
286. 14 votes for kingofafrica by kerripaintonmtsu 
287. 14 votes for yellowandpurplefeathers by sewbiznes 
288. 13 votes for 3 by cassiesavage 
289. 12 votes for Afro Scarf by dtp2 
290. 11 votes for Temptation-ed by monasol 
291. 10 votes for 1923 Doris Lessing's South Africa by winterblossom 
292. 9 votes for African_heritage by moimisie 
293. 8 votes for africa_map by crafty3790 
294. 6 votes for 7_CaoJulie_Contest-ed by toph 
295. 5 votes for african_spoonflower by ryan_who_is_called_ryan 
296. 4 votes for Nigerian African Print by almost_vintage