I need help....please
 

I am fairly new to quilting and have never made a quilt without a pattern. My nephew has asked me to make him a quilt with a western theme. I found the perfect panel which is 20W by 22L but no what do I do. I'd like to make a queen sized quilt but I'm not sure where to begin. I read here that many of you draft your own patterns and I tried but it seems I'm only wasting fabric by cutting it and trying to put it together. I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks

If you are new to quilting, I worry about doing such a large quilt. A standard queen size batting is 90" x 108". That means you need to add approximately 35" to each side of the panel and 43" to both the top and the bottom. If you add a 3" border to the panel, the remaining space can easily be filled with 8" finish blocks. Being a western theme, I would go with what is called the rail fence. I had a freebie pattern but I can't seem to find it. It was called Rodeo ?. Will PM you if I find it.

I think the rail fence for a new quilter is very do-able! try a www.quilterscache.com for the pattern.... if it isn't .com then it's probably .net.

good luck!

Can you show us a pic of the panel. I have used panels and just added borders to them to make the size they needed. Maybe you could look at your patterns if inspiration. Take the colors of the panel and make small inner border and then make blocks for the border. you can take HST blocks and put the together is different way to make border like a zigzag! Also search on line for border ideas. Good luck!!!!

I just got one of mine back from the LAQ that I used a panel for and it seems to be a pretty big hit here. It is VERY easy to make too! Here is a link - http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t236283.html
I have the pattern in EQ7 in case you have it.

A very nice, cheerful quilt! (It may be a bit advanced for a beginner, though)

Thanks bearisgray!
Well maybe the gingham blocks might be a bit hard - but those could be replaced with something easier like a nine patch. If she goes slowly I think she should do just fine :)
Oh and one thing I have learned is FIRST SQUARE your panel - they are NEVER square!!!

I have made a rail fence quilt but I'm just not sure that it will go well with this panel, or which fabrics I should use to make it look right. I am trying to post a picture of the panels, I bought them from http://westhillsdesigns.com

I have added pictures of the panels I have. Thanks for any help you can give me

That's a nice panel! I think surrounding it with a border and then rail fence blocks would look great, in the right colors. Then finish off with a couple more borders. Someone here who uses quilt design software may draft it for you.

Good luck!

Is each of the panels 20x22 or both together? Would you want to cut them apart or keep them together? You have a lot of options and room for creativity here!!!

My suggestion is to get some graph paper and play around with it. Cut 2 pieces of paper to represent your panel/panels. Move them around until you like their placement on the page of graph paper, then using pencil, draw different borders and blocks around them.

If you have colored pencils, you can draw in colors you have in mind to see how they play together! This might be a good place to use some handkerchiefs/fabric in western patterns. I see them a lot in thrift and dollar stores. You just have to be careful of the quality.

If using bandann's be very careful, many are poly blend, some very thin, you can find that type of fabric online.

I love your panels! I don't have any quilt ideas for you, but if you are searching for more Western/cowboy fabric, you might google Texas fabric. Around here....Texas :)...lots of quilts are made with Western themes and the local quilt stores all have sections of Texas fabric.

Googling Texas fabric might get you to some.

Dina