Panels
 

When you sew up a panel do you just sandwich it and quilt or do you add to it first?

ive got a few Christmas panels I want to do, one of them as a gift so I want to do it the most popular way.

I think it's up to the individual what they do with it. I've seen some really nice panels that were just quilted up as is and some really nice ones added to. I think it depends too on what size you might want it to finish to, or if you want to hang it or use as a throw or a spread.

I don't buy panels unless they are for kids quilts that I donate to foster kids in my county. I usually add borders to make them a usable size and finish like all quilts.

I add to my panels. Quite a bit for large lap quilts, a little for wall hangings.

Our guild is doing a panel challenge this year. Each of us got a panel and will embellish it as we wish. I plan to add some applique to mine, but I did consider turning it into a convergence quilt (see rickytims.com)

I make mine into lap quilts by adding to it. But I can see if it's a nice Christmas panel, you could just quilt it up as a wonderful wall hanging. Even add a little sparkle in embellishments.

Depends on the panel, the use, the recipient, everyone is different.
sometimes I cut panels apart and use them in a quilt, sometimes I cut out the motifs and appliqué. Sometimes I add a border or two, sometimes i incorporate into blocks or surround by blocks. Sometimes I want that panel to be the starting Point for a queen or king size quilt. Sometimes it stands on its own and just gets quilted. Each panel is different.

The panel is usually a beginning for me. Depending on the size of quilt I want, I add to it until I get the size I want. You can be as creative as you want or keep it simple. Enjoy the process.

I always add - but so far have not had a panel that was big enough for what I wanted. I don't think there is a "popular" way to do them, and if there is, it will be something different next year.

My favorite is to cut them apart and use them that way, like a paned window, or a diagonal trellis pattern.

Most panels are only 22"x42". That may be fine for a wall hanging, but if it's going to be a quilt I add either more blocks and borders, or just several borders. I do make up panels as lap quilts or children's quilts to donate (small quilts), but they still need some "enlarging" from just the panel itself.