Getting Back in the Groove with a Panel
Very briefly, I have been on a hiatus again. Life got crazy busy this year between the garden, greenhouse, family, and first grandchild. Yes, we got the blessing of our lives a few short weeks ago, and it's as good as everyone said it would be. I'm elated, and sewed my little heart out before she arrived! That's all for another day, but today let me show you what I did with a simple panel left languishing in my stash for the nursery at our house. This type of project makes a darling Christmas gift for someone on your list whether young or old as it's a quick and economical make overall.
Panels are inexpensive ways to dive back into a project, and most are good as they are for a lap size or add a frame of coordinating fabric to fill it out. Most quilters have batting remnants that will fit or can be pieced--think long, wide zigzagging and butt up edges, and most accommodate regular width fabric for the backing.
They are also a great way to break your quilter's block when you haven't worked in a while. Honestly, muscle memory can get quite rusty whether you longarm or freemotion with a sit down machine. I think it forces me to dream up new ways to fill spaces, and more easily transition the flow in and out of areas. One of the time killers of quilting is standing there thinking where to go next, or what motif to use. And yes, even seasoned quilters get anxious at times. Small projects help everyone maintain momentum.
The low cost of the panel makes a panel quilt a great baby gift at about $30 or less retail for all materials vs. a pieced quilt which is far higher, and more time consuming. We're more willing to take some quilting risks if it won't break our budget either.
And, as you can see, I machine bind nearly all my quilts, but especially those meant for children. They hold up so much better through washing, drying, and dragging around.
1 comment:
Gorgeous quilting! Congratulations, Grandma! So good to hear from you again.
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