Why Start with a Wreath Panel?
A printed panel fabric gives you a ready-made focal point for a quilt or home decor project. Instead of piecing together many small shapes to create a design, the panel does the heavy lifting. The Awe of Autumn panel by Riley Blake Designs, designed by Sandy Gervais, features a wreath motif in warm brown tones, surrounded by fall leaves, acorns, pumpkins, and plaid patterns. This makes it a natural starting point for a seasonal quilt or table topper.
The Awe of Autumn Panel at a Glance
- The Awe of Autumn - PANEL - Wreath - Brown: The Awe of Autumn - PANEL - Wreath - Brown features a wreath design from Riley Blake's autumn collection, with leaves, acorns, pumpkins, and plaid patterns. Knowing the panel's print helps you plan borders, sashing, or quilting motifs that complement the central wreath.
The Awe of Autumn - PANEL - Wreath - Brown - The Awe of Autumn - PANEL - Wreath - Brown: Brand: Riley Blake, Designer: Sandy Gervais. SKU: PD16198-BROWN. Riley Blake panels are widely available and coordinate with other fabrics from the same collection, making it easier to find matching coordinates.
What to Consider Before Cutting
- Panel size and layout: Measure the printed area of the panel. The wreath may be centered or offset. Decide whether you want to keep the entire panel intact or cut out individual elements like the wreath or pumpkins for appliqué.
- Fabric coordination: The panel includes warm autumn hues. Look for coordinating solids or prints in brown, orange, gold, or cream to use as borders, backing, or binding.
- Project scale: A single panel can become a wall hanging, table runner, or pillow top. For a larger quilt, you may need multiple panels or additional pieced blocks.
Wreath Panel Quilt Ideas
- Simple framed wall hanging: Add a narrow border around the panel, then quilt and bind. Hang it as a seasonal decoration. This is the quickest way to use the panel as-is.
- Table topper or runner: Use the panel as the center of a rectangular table runner. Add borders on the sides to extend the length, or keep it square for a small table topper.
- Pillow cover: Cut the panel to fit a pillow form, adding a back with an envelope closure. The wreath becomes a natural focal point.
- Appliquéd elements: Cut out individual motifs like the wreath, pumpkins, or leaves and appliqué them onto a plain background fabric. This gives you more layout freedom.
Planning the Quilt Layout
Once you decide on a project, sketch the layout. For a wall hanging, the panel can be the center with one or two borders. For a larger quilt, you might alternate the panel with pieced blocks from coordinating fabrics. Because the panel's print is busy, keep borders simple—solid or tone-on-tone prints work well. The Awe of Autumn collection description notes plaid patterns, which could make a nice border if you find a coordinating plaid fabric.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
One common mistake is cutting too close to the printed design. Leave at least a quarter-inch seam allowance around the panel image, or more if you plan to frame it. Another is choosing a busy border that fights the panel. Test fabric combinations by laying them next to the panel before cutting. Finally, consider the panel's orientation—some wreath panels are directional, so plan your quilt layout accordingly.
