Early on in my quilting life, I didn't particularly see the need or like panels. Then I started seeing some that really were quite beautiful....reproductions of paintings, a ship, eagles, and just lately some reproduction circus posters......They can be beautiful when teamed with some blocks and borders or used as part of a backing. I agree with Dunster, they are not all that easy to work with and it can really stretch your creativity and quilting skills.

i agree with Dunster...I just bought a flannel one and it's way wonky. Almost not worth the trouble to fix it, I ordered it online...and paid full price. I have seen them done really cute I'm still going to cut the individual blocks and use it that way. Quilting can be super simple or really complex in the end you created it! Panels are good practice pieces for FMQ just outline everything!!

The Stonehenge panels by Northcott are stunning. Some creative quilting on them really makes them look pieced.

I have used panels & given the quilts away. I do a lot of detailing on them & they're just as special as the pieced ones. All the recipients were thrilled with them.

I LOVE to use panels! I handquilt them and make them into wall hangings. I get loads of compliments on them and I wouldn't think twice about gifting them.

My sister and I just made a Noahs Ark baby quilt made from a panel.The babys name is Noah.It turned out real nice.Mailed it to Momma today!We quilted around all the animals,the boat,the rainbows,etc.It was fun.

A couple of years ago my daughter picked out a panel for me to make a quilt for my grandson. It was a nice looking panel. This happened to be my first full size quit so what started out as a twin quilt (I had no pattern beyond the panel) ended up being full to queen size. The panel was wonky and because I had little previous quilting experience I didn't think to scale down the split rail block I decided to use. When it was finished they both loved it. My long arm quilter said it wasn't "too" wonky. I'm sure she was being kind :)

As a handquilter I love panels. They make great small quilts and are totally portable. I always have at least one in progress to work on when I go to Bee etc. I often take one along to work on when I travel. Only a true quilter can usually tell that they are not pieced and or appliqued from scratch.

I used a panel to make a lap quilt for someone. It was fabric with a football team's logo on it. I kinda felt guilty about it, so I made a three-color, diagonal, striped border. It was a pain to match at the corners, but that made me feel better.

Tate