Heartfelt Panel Quilt: Easy Sewing Project

By SewYeahQuilting | Published: 2026-10-29

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to sew a beautiful Heartfelt panel quilt with this step-by-step guide. Perfect for beginners, this project uses one 36" x 43" panel and basic quilting skills.

Quick answer

Sew a Heartfelt panel quilt by adding borders and a backing to the 36" x 43" panel, then quilt and bind. This project is ideal for beginners because the panel provides the central design, so you only need to frame it.

Why use a panel for a quilt?

A quilt panel like Heartfelt #2 gives you a complete printed design, so you skip piecing and go straight to adding borders. The panel is 36" x 43", which becomes the center of your quilt. This makes the project faster and more forgiving than traditional patchwork.

One trade-off: the panel limits your creative layout. You cannot rearrange the design elements. If you enjoy improvisation, consider adding a pieced border or appliqué around the panel to personalize it.

Choosing fabric for borders and backing

Match or complement the panel's red and pink floral palette. A solid white, cream, or soft pink border lets the panel stand out. For the backing, a coordinating print or a solid fabric works well. You will need about 1 yard for borders and 1.5 yards for backing if your quilt finishes around 45" x 52".

Pre-wash your border and backing fabrics to avoid shrinkage after quilting. The panel itself is pre-printed and may shrink slightly, so pre-washing the panel is optional but recommended for uniformity.

How to sew a Heartfelt panel quilt

Prepare the panel: Press the panel flat with a warm iron. Trim any loose threads, but do not cut the panel to size yet. A common mistake is skipping pressing, which leads to uneven borders.
Measure and cut borders: Decide border width (e.g., 4"). Cut two strips for the sides and two for the top/bottom. For a 4" border, cut strips 4.5" wide (includes 1/4" seam allowance). Always measure the panel's center length and width before cutting borders; the printed edges may not be perfectly square.
Attach side borders first: Sew the side border strips to the panel, right sides together, using a 1/4" seam. Press seams toward the border. Pin the border to the panel every 4-6 inches to prevent shifting.
Attach top and bottom borders: Sew the remaining border strips to the top and bottom edges. Press seams toward the border. Check that the top and bottom borders are the same length as the panel plus side borders to avoid wavy edges.
Layer and baste the quilt sandwich: Place the backing fabric wrong side up, then batting, then the quilt top right side up. Pin or spray baste every 4-6 inches. Smooth out wrinkles from the center outward; a wrinkled backing will pucker after quilting.
Quilt the layers: Quilt by stitching in the ditch along the border seams, or use a simple meandering stitch across the panel. Stitch around prominent floral motifs to secure them. Test your stitch length on a scrap sandwich; too short a stitch can cause thread breakage.
Trim and bind: Trim excess batting and backing even with the quilt top. Attach binding strips (2.5" wide) using a 1/4" seam, then fold to the back and hand or machine stitch. Miter the corners for a clean finish; a common mistake is cutting the binding too short, so cut strips at least 2" longer than the quilt perimeter.

Product details

Heartfelt #2 Panel 36" x 43": The Heartfelt #2 Panel measures 36" x 43" and is from the Heartfelt collection by Gerri Robinson for Riley Blake, featuring red and pink florals. The panel's generous size means you can finish a baby or lap quilt with just one panel plus borders, making it a quick project for beginners.
Heartfelt #2 Panel 36" x 43"