I recently was given a panel and the directions say just add a border. As I am a beginner quilter I don't have a clue as to where to start. Could someone help me? The panel is 26 3/4" x 34". It is a snowman.

Get some coordinating fabric and just start adding borders. Here's a picture of a top for a couch throw that I'm making for DD's teacher for Christmas. It was started with a panel. The large snowman and the six smalls were the original panel. I cut the small ones off and added two borders the the big one. Then I added the green between and the gold on the top and bottom of the small ones, added them on, put the gold on all around, then just kept adding more borders until it got to the size I wanted. There's also a very small flange in there between the first red border and first green. I hope this helps. I usually add a side border then go across the top and the bottom. Some people miter the corners but that's something that you might want to wait on until you have a little more experience.

That's a real cute throw!

Love the throw! I think this has made me think about getting off here after my coffee and actually getting something done today. Thanks!

I think Rapture offered some good advice. Measure the side and add the 2 sides. Then, measure the top and bottom including the side borders and attach them.

You can add as many borders as you want to make it the size you want. Or, it may depend on how much fabric you have!

You have a good example in that wall hanging. Be sure to measure the panel in several places to see if you need to do any squaring. Measure and cut the borders before you put them on. If your first top border is 26 3/4, make sure the bottom one is the same. Your sides will be 34 + the width of the first borders after that first seam.
Usually a narrow border in a strong color and a wide border in a coordinating fabric looks good without adding too much work, though you can go with just one.
Measure, measure, measure and sew an exact 1/4 inch seam and you'll be fine.

i want to thank all of you for your expert advice. If I can figure out how to post the picture I will. Thanks again.

kandy