I'm making a quilt with a panel for center, I want to add a strip of solid color fabric next to panel. What would be a good width to cut this strip?

Depends on how big the panel is..if it's large, then you could do about any size, if small, I would keep it narrow, like 1.5". Also depends on how big you want to make the whole quilt. It's really up to you, whatever you would like.

How large is the panel?

Try laying your panel on top of the border fabric you have in mind, adjust how much of the fabric peeks out on the side, and see what border width is appealing to you :D:D:D There really are not any rules on border sizes...whatever size that seems to fit your quilt :wink:

The panel is 33x42. The quilt may end up twin size. I just wanted to start out with a strip before I start adding other things, not sure how I'm going to do this, I think it's going to be plan as you go along.

"Plan as you go along" is good. When I'm in a quandry about what to add for borders, I just lay them out on the dining room table and place the quilt on it. You can audition widths and colors without unsewing this way!

Come on ladies, you give many ideas to other people, maybe this will help, after I add this strip, I'm going to make blocks or do something to make it larger, after that comes the borders. Just asking for your thoughts.

Can you post a picture? For me, the width of the next strip would depend on the color of the strip fabric and the pattern in the panel. Same goes for the next step. It sounds like you are planning a round robin design.

When I design a quilt using a panel, I decide what size to make my blocks, then measure the panel and whatever it needs to make it an equal size for matching my blocks to is how I determine the inner border size. If blocks are going to be 12" and panel is 33 wide, then I add 1.5" border on each long side so 3 blocks wide at top and bottom will line up evenly. I do the same for length of panel. Be sure to include seam allowance.

I have used panels for my sons-in-laws who are all hunters. I usually add a 1" border around the panel to emphasize it, then about a 4" border, maybe sq in a sq, then a solid border picking up one of the minor colors in the panel, then I like to add a row of 4patch or 9patch and keep adding until I get it to the size I want.