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A fabric panel can look square at first glance and still have a skewed print or uneven edges. Before adding borders, align your cuts to the design, measure opposing borders from the center, and sew with the panel visible on top. These steps help keep the motif intact while reducing distortion.
1. Gently correct a pronounced skew
Lay the panel flat and inspect the printed design as well as the fabric edges. They may not line up perfectly: printing or finishing can leave the artwork or edges out of square.
If the panel is very wonky, try gently stretching it along the bias in the direction opposite the skew. Work carefully and keep checking the motif; forcing the fabric can distort the design. This adjustment may help, but it cannot be relied on to square every panel.
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#1 Best Overall
- The Forest Whisper collection by Timeless Treasures evokes the gentle hush of a woodland sanctuary, where nature's quiet elegance takes center stage. Featuring digitally printed florals, butterflies, and textured motifs in soft blues, greens, yellows, and teals, each design captures the serenity of a blooming garden bathed in dappled light. Delicate detailing and vibrant hues lend a painterly, almost three-dimensional quality to the fabrics, making them ideal for projects that celebrate tranquility and natural beauty.
- THIS FABRIC IS SOLD BY THE PANEL! This panel measures about 24.5" wide x 44.5" tall (excluding the selvage edges).
- 100% cotton fabric. Pre-wash, machine wash warm, non-chlorine bleach, tumble dry low, use cool iron.
- Width: 44/45" inches
- Weight: 144 gm/sq m
2. Fussy-cut one edge at a time
Use the printed motif as your reference rather than assuming the panel’s outer edges are square. Position a straight-edge ruler so its lines align with the design, then cut each side separately. Recheck the ruler and motif before each cut; aligning one edge does not guarantee the others are square.
A rotary cutter and straight-edge ruler are tools specified in Riley Blake Designs’ Press On Panel pattern. Follow the seam allowance and finished dimensions in your own pattern, and preserve enough fabric around the design for construction. For example, Utah State University Extension’s Panel Quilt with Prairie Points instructions retain a 1/4-inch seam allowance around the panel print; that measurement is specific to that project, not a universal panel rule.
Rank #2
- 🧚♀️ Create a Magical Soft Book – Fabric panel includes the printed pieces to sew your own Thimbelina storybook soft book, perfect for imaginative play and storytelling fun.
- 📏 Generous Panel Size – Measures approximately 36" x 43.5", giving you ample fabric to complete the full book project with beautifully illustrated details.
- 🪡 Premium Quilt Shop Quality Cotton – Designed by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs, known for vibrant colors, crisp printing, and high-quality quilting cotton.
- ✨ Inspires Creativity & Kindness – Enter Thimbelina’s whimsical world of sewing fairies, teamwork, and imagination—perfect for encouraging young makers and little readers.
- 🧵 Versatile for Multiple Projects – Ideal for quilting, nursery décor, playroom accents, gifts, classroom projects, and handmade keepsakes.
If the motif reaches the edge of the cut size required by your pattern, check whether the pattern calls for coping strips before trimming. Riley Blake’s Press On Panel pattern, for instance, specifies a fussy-cut panel of 24 × 43 inches centered over its motif and advises adding coping strips first if the motif reaches the panel edge. Those dimensions and instructions apply to that pattern only. Check the pattern’s current revision before cutting.
3. Measure opposite borders through the center
When adding borders, measure the panel through its center rather than relying only on the outer edges. Use equal lengths for the two side borders based on the center lengthwise measurement; then measure through the center widthwise and use equal lengths for the top and bottom borders. This helps balance the bordered unit even when the panel edges are uneven.
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- Designed by John Butler for Elizabeth's Studio, this cotton print fabric is perfect for quilting, apparel and home decor accents. Colors include white, cream, red, blue, brown, grey, black, pink, yellow and orange. This panel measures 35" x 44'' Wide.
- Washing Instructions: Machine Wash Cold/ Tumble Dry Low
- 35" x 44''
Follow your quilt pattern if it specifies a different measuring method or exact border dimensions. In Utah State University Extension’s project instructions, the panel and borders are measured in multiple places to determine border lengths. The instructions also pin at the ends and center, then ease fullness between pins. That is a project-specific method, but it illustrates why measuring only one edge can miss variation across a panel.
4. Sew with the panel on top
Place the panel on top when sewing it to a border. Keeping the panel visible lets you monitor whether it stays straight and shift the fabric as needed. Pin at the ends and center; if the pieces have slight fullness between those points, ease it in gradually rather than stretching the panel to force a match.
Rank #4
- Designed by Rosilind Solomon for Elizabeth's Studio, the cotton print panel includes 6 blocks that measure about 10.75''. The panel measures about 23.5'' x 44''. Colors include brown, blue, red, yellow, white, grey, natural and black. Use for quilting and craft projects.
- Washing Instructions: Machine Wash Cold/ Tumble Dry Low
- 23.5" x 44''
When pressing, lift and lower the iron gently instead of pushing it across the fabric. Utah State University Extension recommends this up-and-down motion in its panel-quilt instructions to avoid distorting the grain. Follow the pressing direction in your pattern where it gives one.
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Choose the next construction step for your pattern and the look you want. AllPeopleQuilt describes layering a panel with batting and backing and quilting the layers, or tying through all layers at 4- to 6-inch intervals. That interval is one source’s project suggestion, not a universal standard; use your pattern’s directions for quilting or tying.
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- Charming Sewing Project for Beginners – This farm animal Cut & Sew fabric panel features 8 fun projects. Easy-to-follow, pre-printed instructions are included right on the fabric. One of our easiest panels – perfect for sewing beginners!
- All-in-One Fabric Panel – Includes pre-printed patterns on high-quality 100% cotton fabric. Just cut, sew, and cuddle—no extra sewing patterns required.
- 6-7 Hours of Crafting Fun – Ideal for sewing beginners, this kit offers 6-7 hours of creative sewing enjoyment. Perfect for sewing newbies with little to no experience – straight, easy seams make it a great first project for practicing on your sewing machine.
- High-Quality Materials – Made from 100% cotton with bright digital prints, the fabric panel measures 61” x 31”, is machine washable in warm water, and safe for low-heat drying.
- Additional Materials Needed – Requires 1.5 lbs (700g) toy filling (not included).
Panel preparation can also depend on the material. Brother’s U.S. support instructions dated April 3, 2025 describe using water-soluble stabilizer before cutting or sewing Brother printed fabric for quilting to minimize color transfer. That guidance concerns Brother’s printed-fabric workflow; it is not a general requirement for ordinary commercial quilting panels. Follow the panel maker’s care instructions and any applicable pattern directions.
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