I am a beginner quilter and have done one "cheater" quilt - I quilted around the designs on the fabric rather than cutting my own squares.

My question is - when you buy material to make a "cheater" quilt, what is the easiest way to square up and trim material before you use it?

the easiest way is to have a square up ruler.

i don't believe there is any (CHEATing) about quilting- just because you used a PANAL-does not mean you CHEATED!
most of us use printed fabrics of some sort--doesn't make a difference if it's a PANAL or if it's an all over print.

as for trimming/squaring-
i usually try to line up an outside line and allow a seam allowance around it when using panals- sometimes they are (out of whack) and need to be straightened--by pulling/stretching diagonally to straighten them up- and pressing.
if i can not get the lines to straighten up on a panal i will cut inside the lines and square up the center without the lines showing that it (was) crooked
the fabrics are PANALS--there is nothing cheating about using a panal--its the same as using any other printed cotton fabric-just a design element.

Exactly! i love the panels,but find it frustrating trying to get the wonkyness out of them! i trim them exactly the way you do.

I agree with the others about straightening the panels and that it is not cheating. I make comissioned quilts and have had clients want a "cheater" panel with a border and quilted around certain areas of it. One even brought me a double wedding ring one to do because she liked the "fabrics" in the rings and didn't want to fuss with choosing many fabrics for a "real" one.

The one thing I've learned over the years and especially on this board is to do what you are comfortable with and what makes you happy with your quilts. Enjoy!