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Creative Quilts from Fabric Panels Pattern Most preprinted panels measure approximately 24" x 44." The size of the images on the panels may vary greatly. Options for

sewing these panels into a quilt or wall hanging also vary. Here are a few techniques and tips that will help you create a quilt or wall hanging using preprinted panels and coordinating fabrics.

Components that make up the quilt or wall hanging are images, frames, sashes, filler strips, borders, and binding. Not all components must be used in every project.

Tip: Read all instructions before beginning the project. All seam allowances are ¼" unless otherwise stated.

1. Trim images. • Some panels may have an image or images that are already nicely framed and are against a pleasing background. In this case,

after “trimming,” you may decide to go directly to “Adding Borders.” • If the images already have a coordinating frame, you may utilize that frame. Trim around the frame, leaving a ¼" seam

allowance on all sides. • Or you may decide you want to add a different frame, using another color. If so, trim around the image leaving a ¼" seam

allowance on all side.

2 . Add frames. • Decide the width you want your “finished” frame to be. Generally ¼" to ½" looks good. However, it can be wider, if you like. • Calculate framing strip width: Add the finished frame width, plus ½" for seam allowances, plus ¼". Cut framing strips (this

calculation) by width of fabric. The extra ¼" gives you an allowance to trim off and square up your image/frame block. • Sew framing strips to opposite edges of each image. • Sew framing strips to the remaining edges. • Trim and square up blocks.

3 . Lay out blocks.

• Use a Design Wall to lay out the image blocks in an arrangement that is pleasing to you. • Keep in mind how the blocks are joined as you lay out the blocks. Your choices are rows or columns. See i l lustrations on

page 4.

4 . Cut sashing strips. • Choose a coordinating fabric that is a nice accent to the blocks. • Decide on the “finished” width of the sashing. Cut a few different strip widths and lay them on the Design Wall to audition

them when choosing a size. • Calculate sashing strip width: Add the finished sash width plus ½" for seam allowances. Cut sashing strips (this calculation)

by width of fabric. • “Add sashing: Row/Layout” depending upon your layout or “Add sashing: Column/Layout” for sewing sashing strips to

blocks.

5 . Add sashing: Row/Layout. • Vertical sashing strips:

- Measure the height of blocks - Cut sashing strips (width from step 4) by height of blocks. - Place a sashing strip (vertically) between each block on your Design Wall. - Sew each row by joining blocks to sashing strips.

• Horizontal sashing strips: - Measure width of row. All rows should be the same width - Cut sashing strips to that length (join strips as needed). - Place strips horizontally on the Design Wall between rows. - Sew rows to horizontal sashing strips.

• Optional: You may want to add sashing all around your quilt center at this time. If so, go to “Add a border or borders.” With sashing fabric, add a border the same width as your sashing. Add additional borders of contrasting colors if desired. See i l lustration 1 on page 4.

6 . Add sashing: Column/Layout.

Tip: Some layouts may call for adding the initial sashing strips between blocks vertically in one column and horizontally in another column as in i l lustration 2 on page 4.

• Vertical sashing: Measure the height of the block. • Horizontal sashing: Measure the width of the block, and cut sashing strips (width from step 4). • Place sashing strips horizontally between each block on your Design Wall. • Sew each column together by joining blocks to sashing strips. • Measure the length of each column. All columns should be the same length. Cut sashing strips to that length (join strips as

needed). • Place strips vertically on the Design Wall between columns. • Sew columns to vertical sashing strips. • Add sashing all around your quilt. Go to “Add a border or borders.” Add a sashing and then proceed to add additional

borders, if desired. • Optional: You may want to add sashing all around your quilt center at this time. If so, go to “Add a border or borders.” With

sashing fabric, add a border the same width as your sashing. Add additional borders of contrasting colors if desired.

7 . Using f i l ler strips. • Use this technique in the event that the preprinted panel has images of varying sizes. • Follow steps 1, 2, and 3: “Trim images,” “Add frames,” and “Lay out blocks”

Tip: Every column (or row) will not have an identical layout. Sashing strips will not fit evenly around the images, therefore, filler strips are needed. Filler strips can range from very narrow strips, to squares, rectangles, or whatever it takes to fill in spaces around the images. The goal is to make each column or row measure the same height and/or width so they can be joined together.

• Add filler strips once you have your image blocks arranged on the Design Wall. - Start with the center column (or row depending upon the type of layout you have) and work towards the outer edges of the quilt. - Begin with the largest image within each column (or row). - Add filler strips to the images until they are all the same width (or height, depending upon the type of layout). Example, see i l lustration 3 on page 4.

Tip: Consider placing a filler strip at the top and bottom of each column (or the left and right of each row). Make that filler strip a couple inches longer (or wider) than needed. By doing this, you can easily trim the column length (or row width) to the exact length (or width) needed. Do not make these final trims until all columns (or rows) have the images and filler strips joined.

8 . Add a border or borders.

Tip: The number of borders and the width of each border is variable and will depend upon the finished look and finished size you desire.

• Adding border strips to the longest edges of your project. This may be the sides or it may be the top/bottom. In this example, we will be adding to the sides first.

• Determine the length needed for the left and right border strips:

- Measure through the center of the quilt (from top to bottom). - Cut two strips the length measured (by the width desired). - Sew to the left and right sides of the quilt. - Press seam allowance towards border. - Add border strips to the top and bottom. - Measure through the center of the quilt (from left to right). - Cut two strips that length (by the width desired). - Sew strips to the top and bottom of the quilt. - Press seam allowance towards border.

Variation Tip: When adding a single, wide border, consider including a favorite quilt block to the border. Choose a block pattern from any quilting book that you may already have. Make the block the same width as your border. Alternate a pieced block with a plain block. See i l lustration 1 on page 4.

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Variation Tip: Add a flange as an extra accent to your quilt. Consider using the same color as the “frame” around the image. NOTE: Add the flange to the border strip before cutting the border strip to the exact length needed. Cut the border strip 2" longer than needed for the quilt.

¼"flange:‐Cutflangestrip1"xborderlength,plus2".‐Joinflangestripsintoonelongstripwith45degreeangleseams,pressseamsopen.‐Foldflangewrongsidestogetherandpress.

• Baste flange to border strip, right sides together, meeting raw edges,

Tip: Basting causes the strip to shrink a bit…now you can cut the border strip to length needed.

- Sew border strip to quilt. - Press seam allowance toward quilt for flange to lay against border. Or, press seam allowance toward border for flange to lay against quilt body.

9. Layer, quilt , and add binding.

• Layer quilt backing, batting, and quilt top. • Quilt as desired. • Bind using your favorite binding technique.

Tip: Calculation for binding length: (quilt length x 2) + (quilt width x 2) + 12" = _____". Divide this number by 40 = _____. This is the number of strips you will need to cut by the width of fabric.

Project Design/Development: Susan Petruske Editors: Erica MacDonald and Diane Dhein

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