Panels: a jumping off point to designing your own quilts!
Posted by Cyndi McChesney on Aug 30th 2024
If you had asked me 15 years ago if I would be creating, designing and playing with panels almost exclusively I would have looked at you with a very perplexed expression. I never imaged myself focusing on the use of panels in so many different ways, but here I am, creating, having fun and sharing my enthusiasm for panels with quilters everywhere! As the author of two books on the processes to master in using panels, creating your own foundation pieced blocks and traditionally pieced blocks, and more, discovering and mastering the techniques in my books will lead you down a path to creating your own unique quilts and projects. You can get your feet wet by taking a class and opening the door to a new adventure!
I have two new classes on Creative Spark, both focusing on different techniques using
two different styles of panels. In each class I discuss how to manage your panel so that
the size can be used without crazy measurements or wonky shapes, how to use
coping strips to create the size you want or need and how to change the pattern
presented for panel images of different sizes.
My Wild for Panel Quilts introduces you to using same sized multi image panels within
traditional quilt blocks and walks you through the simple steps to creating this
whimsical and fun quilt chock full of adorable critters. The pattern is easily adaptable to
different sized panel images or a different panel following a few easy steps. Using
panel images within traditional quilt blocks is a creative and surprisingly innovative way
to produce a wonderful project.
The Spirit of Christmas: A Panel Quilt Adventure focuses on the use of a single large
solo image panel. The first step to using a panel in this style is to get it to a size that
will work for your project or creative borders so understanding how to use coping
strips to your advantage is paramount for success. Once you have mastered this single
trick, you’ll find working with this style of panels becomes effortless.
From there we work our way through creating the trees along the bottom and lower portion of the borders and the Sawtooth Stars in two sizes for the top and upper side borders. I’ll even show you how to adapt this pattern for use with other panels! Panels are versatile and can lead you to a new chapter of creativity in your quilt making journey. Grab a panel and let’s play!
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Cyndi McChesney has over 40 years of quilting experience as a quilt shop owner and instructor. She loves to encourage students to step way out of their comfort zone to try something unique and creative using pre-printed panels. With an innovative and engaging teaching style, she helps students discover their creative side using panels.
Creative Spark Instructor Page
