Quilting fabrics come in all different sizes, from as little as 4 inches to as big as a yard, but they are always 44 inches wide. They come in many different themes; you’ve got all the licensed fabrics like minions and mickymouse; you’ve got a holiday theme; you’ve got anything you can imagine.
In this blog, you will read about two of the most popular fabric options: fabric panels and fabric squares for quilting. Also, you'll discover tips for choosing the right fabric, working with pre-cuts, and making your quilting process more efficient and enjoyable.
What are Fabric Squares for Quilting?
These are small pieces of fabric that are ready to be sewn into a quilt. Based on the quilt design, sizes of these pieces can vary. They can be 2.5 inches small or 10-12 inches large and can be made up of a variety of materials like cotton and flannel.
This is a great option for those who want to avoid time-consuming tasks like fabric cutting. Many manufacturers offer pre-cut fabric that any sewer can buy and focus on actual sewing and piecing of the quilt.
Benefits of Fabric Square for Quilting
- As these fabrics come in pre-cut options, you can save a good amount of time in the quilting process.
- They are available in various colors, patterns, and styles so that you can incorporate them in any intricate design.
- They are very finely cut and are of uniform sizes, due to which you can conveniently project and align them.
- Many fabrics can come in coordinate sets, making it easier for you to sew a quilt with its fabrics complimenting each other.
What are Fabric Panels for Quilting?
These are large pieces of fabric that contain multiple blocks or designs within one piece of fabric. Unlike fabric squares for quilting that require smaller pieces of fabric to complete a design, fabric panels often feature complete designs or scenes that can be used as-is or incorporated into a larger quilt.
Types of fabric panels:
Panel Quilts: These fabric panels for quilting often feature a big image and are usually meant to be at the center of the quilt design. Common designs, such as floral art and children's pictures, are used in individual boxes within the quilt design.
Motif Panels: These are smaller pieces of fabric that display repetitive designs or patterns. These fabrics can be cut apart and assembled to create a more complex design of quilt.
Scenic Panel: They are typically large prints that showcase a landscape, animal, or artistic scene and are often used as the centerpiece of a quilt.
Benefits of Fabric Panels for Quilting
The design is already printed, which means you can attach this piece of fabric to your quilt without doing any intricate process like in fabric squares for quilting.
This fabric piece creates a focal point on the quilt that looks attractive and drives attention with its detailed designs.
As the design is already ready, there is no or very minimal cutting required. This is an idea for those looking for a relaxing and easy quilting experience.
Apart from making just quits out of it, they can also be incorporated into contemporary home décor like wall hangings or pillow covers.
How to Use Fabric Squares and Fabric Panels in Quilting?
The best example of a fabric square for quilting is a nine-patch design with star blocks. No hard work is required in this process; simply align the fabric pieces in the form of a design and stitch them. Scrappy quilts, which are very popular nowadays, are also manufactured using this method, where you mix different squares to create a unique design.
On the other hand, fabric panels for quilting are widely used to create the center piece of the quilt, where the fabric panel is surrounded by the fabric squares, and just by stitching some pieces of designed panels, an attractive quilt is made. The panel can also be used for a wall hanging, tote bag, or other home decor items.
Common Types of Pre-Cut Available in The Market
- Charm Pack
They are typically available in 5" x 5” size with about 42-48 pieces in a pack. Best for small quilts and patchwork and can be used for quick designs or scrappy-looking quilts. If you need lots of fabric pieces without investing your time cutting them, this is an ideal option for you.
- Jelly Rolls
These are fabric strips of about 2.5” wide and 42-44” long that usually come in a bundled roll containing 40-42 strips. It is a great material for manufacturing quilts that requires consistent and narrow strips of fabric. Stripy quilts, log cabin blocks, or other designs that utilize uniform fabric cuttings are best for it. They can also be cut into small pieces to create a more intricate design.
- Layer Cakes
These are larger pieces of fabric that are mostly used in the making process of lap quilts or bed-sized quilts. It generally comes in 10" x 10” sizes, various colors, and designs that can be stitched together to create a unique-looking large-size quilt.
- Fat Quarters
Fat quarters are versatile and can be cut into smaller pieces or used whole for certain blocks. It is best for quilts, bags, pillows, and smaller projects where you need a variety of different fabrics in a manageable size.
Conclusion
Well, we hope you are now inspired enough to start using squares and fabric panels for quilting in your projects. Keep in mind, this is something you can make all year round; it doesn’t have to be just holiday themed.
A common confusion that might arise in your mind is, “What is the best form I should buy my fabric in?" Am I comparing apples to oranges? Well, all we can say is that it depends on your project, your skill level, and how much time you want to spend cutting, arranging, and piecing your quilt. All options are valid, and none are inherently better than the others; it's all about finding what works best for you and your quilt!
If you're looking for a place to buy high-quality quilt fabrics in a wide range of designs, The Quilted Heart is an excellent choice. They offer an extensive selection of fabrics, including charming pre-cuts like fabric squares, panels, and fat quarters, as well as fabric by the yard. Visit their website to explore now!
