Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan!! Glad to have you join us and glad too that you are jumping right in. There are so many people here who are so helpful. As far as Your quilted panel quilt goes you can do what every you want including QAYG if you want to. You be the judge of what you feel comfortable with. I love to do QAYG on many traditional quilts and artsy projects. You build your quilt the way you want to! Again welcome aboard the QB!