10+ Free Panel Quilt Patterns: How to Sew a Gorgeous Quilt Fast
You know you need a free panel quilt pattern to go with the darling panels you found at the fabric store. Many quilters actually love panels because they offer a way to showcase beautiful, large-scale artwork that would be impossible to piece by hand. Using a fabric panel is a brilliant way to let a designer’s artwork take center stage while you focus on the construction and quilting.
Most sewists choose these easy quilt patterns because they offer a head start on a project, allowing for a faster finish without sacrificing the quality of the final design. By applying specific techniques such as adding custom borders, sashing, and corner squares, you can provide the structure and detail needed to highlight the central print. These techniques are a great way to create a cohesive look that highlights large scale quilt fabric while giving the entire project a professional, balanced appearance.
Panels and Chain
Have you ever bought panel fabrics at the quilt store because they are so cute or beautiful and then you need ideas for sewing them into a quilt? Look no further! Here’s the perfect pattern for turning rectangular fabric panels into a beautiful quilt.
The free panel quilt pattern that I wrote for my gorgeous Halloween fabric is so easy. You’ll be able to finish it in no time. And if you’re panels aren’t the same size as mine, no problem! The pattern can accommodate that discrepancy. When you quilt with fabric panels you have to go with the flow; am I right?
Pro-Tip: Squaring Up the Panel
Before you start adding borders or sashing, it is vital to “square up” your fabric panel. Manufacturers often print panels slightly off-grain, which can lead to a wavy quilt if not corrected. Use a large acrylic ruler to trim the edges so they are perfectly straight and the corners are 90-degree angles. This simple step ensures that your borders lay flat and your finished homemade quilts look professional rather than pulled or distorted.
Pretty Pictures Quilt
Fabric panels are the bane of my fabric stash! I fall in love with adorable fabric panels, buy them, and then keep them while I search for the perfect quilt pattern.
The Pretty Pictures quilt pattern is your solution to quilting with panel fabrics! Stitch together this adorable quilt that mixes easy appliqué and basic piecing to make each adorable picture stand out.
Inspirational Stars
This free quilt pattern is perfect for beginners. It’s designed to use six printed fabric panels that can be trimmed to 10 1/2” before sewing. You’ll learn how to make big flying geese units and sew them into rows with your square panel pieces.
Here’s the free sewing pattern for the easiest quilt using square panels.
How to Add Borders to a Quilt Panel
Do you want to make a whole quilt out of any panel? Learn how to add a border to any fabric panel for one of your new favorite homemade quilts. To find your finished quilt size just add 16″ to both width and length measurements. I think you’ll be happy with the results.
Attic Window Panel
Give your panel a modern border to add interest using this free pattern from Sew Be It Quilts. Of all your easy quilts you might just love this one the most; the bold frames really highlight the scenery “outside”.
French Door Panel Quilt
Sewing panels into a quilt can be so much fun, and there are so many ways to make it unique and maintain the original appeal. Donna Jordan walks you through cutting, piecing, and adding a border to make your quilt look like you are looking through a French Door. You can also see two options; one for using white for your French Door, and one for using black.
Flights of Fancy Panel Quilt
Flights of Fancy is a quilt by Donna Jordan using a beautiful butterfly panel, and layer cakes for the border. Her free pattern includes a video tutorial to walk you through each step. You won’t be disappointed if you use this pattern for your last minute homemade gifts!
Easy Custom Panel Quilt
For this panel you will notice that there is only a border on the top and bottom. Damjana Jakos designed it specifically to fit in a door. The tutorial includes tips for using the QAYG (quilt as you go) technique, and sewing with panels. Find the free tutorial at AppleGreen Cottage.
Scenic Snowfall Panel Quilt
This is a beautiful winter scene panel quilt is called Scenic Snowfall. You will need to search the site (use the keys ctrl+F, and then type the title into the search box) to find it, but it’s not too far down. The different fabrics used compliment each other, and almost look like they were cut from the panel. Use this pattern if you have coordinating fabric.
Panels with Corner Stones
Here is a free pattern and video tutorial from Donna Jordan. You will use sashing and corner squares to highlight your panels, and it doesn’t matter what size they are.
Pro-Tip: Fussy Cutting Your Panel
If your fabric panel features several smaller motifs rather than one large image, you can “fussy cut” those sections to use as the center of your quilt blocks. This technique allows you to treat the panel like a collection of custom-designed fabric scraps. When you surround these fussy-cut squares with coordinating solids or simple sashing, you create a complex, multi-block look that appears much more difficult to sew than it actually is.
More from SewCanShe:
45+ Free Zipper Bag Patterns: Easy DIY Pouches & Purses
17 Sewing Notions That Change Your Game: Must-Haves for Every Level!
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