Last Updated: by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 5 Comments
This week for Finish it Friday, I shared two baby quilts that I completed using panels. I thought that I’d take the opportunity to chat a bit about fabric panels and give you a few ideas for how to sew with them.
When I design fabric, I try to think of ways that someone would use the fabric. More than “make a quilt” or “make a dress,” but creative “out of the box” ways to sew with the fabric I design.
Table of Contents
- What is a Fabric Panel?
- What Can I Make with a Fabric Panel?
- Things to Make with Fabric Panels
For this reason, I love to add Fabric Panels to my Collections. I’ve done 5 Fabric Collections that feature some fabric panels. The panels have been designed for everything from trick or treat bags to a “cut it out and use it” quilt.
When fabric panels are released with collections, I get a lot of “what do I DO with the panel” type questions on the blog.
What is a Fabric Panel?
There are a few different types of fabric panels on the. market right now.
1. Cheater Quilt
This type of fabric panel is designed to create a quilt without any additional cutting or piecing. The panel from my Ahoy! Mermaids collection is a good example of this type of panel.
2. Toys or other 3D items
Another type of quilt panel that is widely available is one designed to be used to create 3-dimensional items. Examples include toys, Christmas Stockings, Doll Clothing, Aprons Etc.
The Riptide Panel designed by Rachel Erickson is a good example of this type of fabric panel.
3. Designed to Be Combined with Other Quilt Blocks
The 3rd type of panel is MEANT to be cut up and used with other quilt blocks or items. The panel from my Santa Claus Lane collection is an example of this type of panel. The dimensions of the squares in the panel are common sizes used in quilting. (the illustration of Mrs. Claus in the pillow is from the fabric panel). This makes this panel easy to cut up and use for the center of quilt blocks or in the place of blocks in the quilt.
That’s a VERY SIMPLE explanation of the types of quilt panels. I’m sure there are more, but those are just some of those that jumped out to me.
What Can I Make with a Fabric Panel?
Today I thought I’d round up some creative ways to use a fabric panel. Obviously, you can just cut out the panel and quilt it, as I’ve done with the panel for my Ahoy! Mermaids line.
Also, just editorializing a bit here, YES, I do consider that quilting and a quilt. Being smart and saving time when creating does not equal “cheating” (although these panels are usually called “cheaters). In my opinion, the end goal is to create something that wasn’t there before. So USE the panels for the purpose they were designed for!
There are a lot of other ways to sew with fabric panels as well! Here are some of my favorites. If you’ve seen a creative use for a fabric panel, let me know in the comments so that everyone can benefit from your ideas!
Things to Make with Fabric Panels
20+ Creative Ways to Use Fabric Panels
Save yourself some time and energy by starting your next sewing project using a fabric panel. Here are 21 creative ways to sew with panels.
1
Add a Geometric Border and Make a Quilt
Photo Credit:blog.rileyblakedesigns.com
This example using one of the Riley Blake Designs Destinations panels might be one of my favorites. Julia from Riley Blake created this modern quilt with geometric borders. She's sharing a free tutorial for the quilt over on the RB Blog.
2
Use the Panel to Make Bags
Photo Credit:abitofscrapstuff.blogspot.com
Melanie from a Bit of Scrap Stuff turned two panels from the Pure Delight Collection banner to create two very cute drawstring bags.
3
Another Simple Border Idea, Checkerboard
Photo Credit:blog.rileyblakedesigns.com
Here is another simple quilt design with features a geometric border. This one uses bits of another panel to create a patchwork border.
Add 1 or 2 Fabric Borders to Create your Quilt
Photo Credit:blog.rileyblakedesigns.com
Start with a "cheater" quilt panel then add a series of simple borders to create an easy baby quilt.
5
Cut Up the Panel and Make a Table Topper
Amy from Ameroonie Designs used one of the squares from the Santa Claus Lane collection to create table topper.
6
Substitute pieces of the panel for Quilt Blocks
Mr. & Mrs. Claus in this patchwork pillow are from a quilt panel.
7
Turn them into Pockets
Turn the panel pieces into simple pockets for a tote bag.
8
Varsity Panel Quilt Tutorial
Photo Credit:blog.rileyblakedesigns.com
Another great example of simple borders added to a cheater panel.
9
Create a Wall Hanging
Photo Credit:blog.rileyblakedesigns.com
These two cute panels designed by Christopher Thompson were cut out, quilted and bound, and used as decorations in a Nursery.
10
How to Make a Quilted Table Runner
Sarah created a table runner using one of the blocks from the Fox Farm Fabric panel. She then designed two other quilt blocks (which are traditionally pieced) to finish her design.
11
Simple Christmas Stocking Tutorial
This is an example of a panel designed to be used to create a 3D object. These stockings were simply cut out and sewn together.
12
Mix and match fabric squares and pieces of a panel to create a unique patchwork quilt.
13
Turn them into Zip Bags
These cute zip bags were made from squares from a fabric panel. Zip bags are easy to make in any size that you like, which makes this a great project to create using the panel.
14
Use them in the Center of Quilt Blocks
Photo Credit:shop.polkadotchair.com
Swap out parts of a traditional block with squares from a quilt panel.
15
Create Embroidery Hoop Art
Photo Credit:flamingotoes.com
Instead of creating a quilt, use parts of the panel to create a bit of Embroidery Hoop Art.
16
Turn them into a Pillow
Photo Credit:flamingotoes.com
Bev from Flamingo Toes created this stylish pillow from a rectangle fabric panel. I love how she cropped the main image into a circle.
17
Use a Small Part of the Panel with a Larger Patchwork Border
Photo Credit:flamingotoes.com
Start with a simple square or rectangle fabric panel and add a series of patchwork borders. You can keep adding borders until you get a quilt the size that you want.
18
Mix and Match the Panel Parts with Traditional Quilt Blocks
Photo Credit:www.diaryofaquilter.com
Amy used parts of a panel and traditional quilt blocks to create this unique quilt layout.
19
Applique the Pieces onto a Pillow
Photo Credit:www.diaryofaquilter.com
Fabric panels are great because they feature larger-scale images and prints than traditional yardage. Use this to your advantage, and create larger items with the smaller parts of the panel. Here they have been appliqued to the front of a pillow.
20
Sew Multiple Panels Together to Make a Larger Quilt
The clamshell "cheater" print from my Ahoy! Mermaids collection is designed to be used alone or stitched together to make a larger quilt. You can repeat this technique with any panel that has a repeating pattern.
More Projects You May Enjoy
- Bloom Where You Are Planted Quilt Block Pattern
- Dazzle Quilt Block Pattern
- Framed Star Quilt Block Pattern
- Scrappy Improv Bookmark Tutorial
About Author
Melissa Mortenson
Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs. Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.
