Last month at the guild meeting, I found a garden panel that I thought would make a nice charity quilt. I had no plans to use it right away until the call went out for bunk bed quilts for the Safelight shelter. I pulled out the panel, and started looking at the stash to see what could go with it.
No, none of these will do. All of them are too busy or the wrong color.
I measured the panel, and then noted how big I needed the finished quilt to be. This would tell me what I needed to add to all the sides to get there. If I add 12-inch blocks, then the remaining width and length would need to come from borders. I decided to add this amount to an inner border.
These butterflies have been in my stash closet for over 20 years. I know because this print was part of a watercolor tote class I did before we moved into this house. In spite of the years between that print and the panel, the colors are spot on. The side bars are 6-1/2-inches, and the top/bottom borders are 2-1/2-inches.
I made some pinwheel blocks for the border. These are only 8-1/2-inches and I needed 12 inches to make the size right, so a final border will need to be added.
When you make blocks like this, spin the center seam to reduce the bulk.
Now, to decide how many I really need. I lined them up on the side, and knew I needed to make more.
At this point, I had 11 blocks.
I decided that putting them all the way around the quilt would be too busy. So, I spaced them out a bit, and determined the number I would still need. I need three more, and I wanted to add more blue half-square triangles to the mix.
On the top and bottom, it was fairly easy to determine how big the alternate panels between the blocks would need to be finished – 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches. I only had to scoot one block right and left until the measurement of the space was the same. Add one inch to allow for seam allowances, and I need to cut four fillers at 6-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches.
But the sides were a bit more of a challenge until I figured out that doing the math was easier than scooting the blocks around until I hit the magic number. Lay the blocks next to each other to one side with one at the other edge. Then measure the distance left to cover.
The total is 13-1/2-inches. Then, divide by 3 as that is the number of spaces I’ll need to fill. That number is 4-1/2. Now add one inch to allow for four seam allowances – two on the filler piece and two on the pinwheel. I cut six pieces 5-1/2 x 8-1/2.
Filler pieces were sewn to the blocks, and then those were put on the quilt.
Now, to find something in the stash that could work as a border. I felt like the border should be green or yellow. Nothing in my stash came close to the green, and almost all the yellows were too bright. But this one would look OK, so it went on.
I loaded it on the longarm with a remnant of wide backing from my stash.
I put one of my favorite pantograph quilting patterns on it, Fascination by Urban Elementz. It covers a large amount of quilting with each pass, and there are markings for two rows on the pantograph paper. So, I can quilt two passes before needing to advance the quilt on the frame.
I used white Glide polyester thread in the top, with white Bottom Line in the bobbin.
I got it done in a day. Now, all that is needed is a machine binding, and I can turn it in on Thursday at the guild meeting.
Done in a jiffy! And, I’ll have fabric out for Stashbusters. Now I just need to collect some things to donate on Thursday, too. I doubt with the holiday coming next week that I’ll have any other finishes this month.
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From My Carolina Home 
The pinwheel blocks are the perfect addition to your panel, Carole!!! Fascination is such a versatile panto–I first saw it on your blog.
This one is really pretty. Can you imagine coming into the safelight shelter and being given a bed with so lovely and cozy a covering? Wonderful.
Very pretty and cheery! Especially, for those long dark dreary days that show up in winter.
my thoughts exactly!!
Thank you for answering the need from the safelight house. I appreciate you’re sharing your thought process on dealing with a panel and working it into a quilt size that is usable. Lovely finish Carole.
That turned out beautiful.
Turned out beautifully! Love the butterflies!
I like it!
That panel arrived at the perfect time; it was the perfect jumping off point for this quilt! Thanks for the detailed description of how you came up with the filler pieces, I would definitely have quickly pulled out a calculator, too.
I love reading and learning about your processes to turn something into SOMETHING. This quilt is beautiful!
I’m always stumped with panels and you have done one so beautifully. It will be a lovely donation.
Carole,
Beautiful quilt. I love the panel and what you did with it. It will make someone very happy and hopefully inspire & help with a better life.
Beverly
That is a sweet one, Carole! I love the happy colors. It’s going to be a comforting quilt for someone to sleep under!
the pinwheels were a great choice to add to it. Does the quilt stay at the Safe Light location or go with the person using it?
The resident has a choice, they can take it with them if they choose. Some will, others leave them behind for the next resident.
What a great use for a panel. It turned out beautifully and thank you for sharing your “quilt math” with us! I love the fabrics that you used. It is such a soft and pretty quilt. Are you permitted to put a label on for the Safelight shelter? My brain goes to a message of affirmation much like what you do on the cards. I can imagine someone crawling into the bunk and finding a little embroidered “note” on the back of the quilt.
That is a charming idea! The label we attach says only “Made for you with love by Western North Carolina Quilters Guild.”
What a pretty, cosy quilt all those lovely pieces of fabric made. That was a really cute panel to start you off. Nice when you find just the right piece to fit in as well. I imagine the recipient will be pleased to find such a lovely cover on his/her bed. Well done Carole.
Mary :))
I love your design-as-you-go thought process! It’s a beautiful quilt! Thanks for sharing with us.
So pretty! I
Panels can be a bit challenging for me, especially when more width is needed than length. I like that you added “spacers” between the pinwheels.
I appreciate hearing your “piece as you go” process. I usually get bogged down trying to design the whole thing at the start.
This quilt will be a special blessing to someone!
Oh, very well done! It’s such a cheerful quilt!
Like how you auditioned the fabric and border layout to give the eye a place to rest.
I started using panels for charity quilts. They provide a focal point and will look good on a bed.
Yes, lots of math! Thanks for sharing your calculation.
I’ve got two charity tops started and hoping to finish the tops soon. Not sure I’ll get them ready to go out the door as this time of year is super busy.
Rock on!
Jo Anne
The pinwheels are perfect with this panel. Great job on using tons of fabric on this fun project.
That turned out so pretty, and how cool to be able to use such an old piece from stash!