Easy quilting panel Fall pattern for beginners

Welcome family and friends with this Easy quilting panel Fall pattern I have just released! The border has simple blocks so you can make this quilt in one day. It is perfect for a beginner quilter who is just learning the craft, and ideal for veteran quilters who want a new, but quick, Fall quilt.

Homecoming was made with the Happy Fall Y’all fabric collection by Timeless Treasures. It measures 34-1/2″ x 54-1/2″ and the block size is 2.5″. I chose a simple border because I wanted the messages on the panel to stand out.

Those Fall fabrics bring to mind images of cozy family rooms, the sound of a crisp breeze swirling the leaves around, and the smell of apple pie in the oven. In other words: Autumn. I love them so much that I made another quilt with this collection – I can’t show it to you yet because the magazine is not out.

• 

• 

• 

The easy quilt pattern instructions have diagrams showing you how to use the stitch and flip method to quickly assemble the blocks. These blocks, although small, add the right amount of color and interest to the wall hanging, don’t you think?

And that is a tip for you: when designing a quilt pattern with a panel, strive to emphasize the panel for an elegant look. Quilt panels usually are included in a fabric collection. But, if you have a panel only, look in your stash for coordinating fabrics in the main colors of the panel to create a harmonious design, and keep the borders simple.

Some panels, however, scream for a bolder design. So, still using fabrics that work with the panel colors, add more elaborate blocks. Which blocks, and how to make sure they fit?

Adding borders to fabric panels

1. Make sure the panel’s measurements are divisible by the size of the block you would like to use. If they aren’t, add a narrow border to make up the difference.
2. The quilt center (panel and border, for instance) would need an additional 1/2″ for the seams (1/4″ seam on each side and top and bottom). Let’s suppose you would like to add 5″ blocks to the border; the center (just panel, or panel plus narrow border), should measure, say, 25-1/2″ x 45-1/2″. Then, you can put 5 blocks on the top and bottom border and 9 blocks on each side. Makes sense?
3. For a quicker project, just add horizontal borders. Two, three, four, it does not matter. You could add a set of narrow, wide, narrow borders, or narrow, wide, wider, and narrow borders, too.

• 

• 

• 

Any of these fabrics would look great on the back of this panel quilt! Although you may be tempted to use any old fabric as backing, or even sheets, don’t do it… Here are my suggestions for backing a quilt:

1. The backing fabric matches the theme of the quilt top; or
2. The backing matches the colorway of the quilt top; or
3. The backing is pieced with some of the fabrics from the quilt top; or lastly
4. The backing fabric has the same ‘feel’ as the quilt top, so I would not use a modern fabric on the back of a quilt with traditional fabrics, or florals on the back of a quilt top made with novelty fabrics.

You can make coordinating pillows for your Fall decor and place them in the same room as this wall hanging, or make placemats. Here is a quick tutorial for the placemats. In this tutorial, I used the broderie perse technique. You, however, can just cut one of the fabrics above to size, and be done!

Homecoming would make a great gift because (1) it is fast to make, (2) it is easy, and (3) it can be used throughout the entire Fall season. I just found out that Hancock’s of Paducah is putting together quilt kits for this project so head over to their website to order (this is not an affiliate link).

I have another Easy quilting panel Fall pattern if you are in the mood for fast quilts: State of Mind. This project is quite a bit larger so it can also be used as a lap quilt.

You can download the pattern for Homecoming from my Etsy store, or look for it at your favorite quilt store. Or, get the whole kit and caboodle from Hancock’s so you can be ready by the time the leaves change colors!

Enjoy your holiday weekend,