Squaring a Quilting Fabric Panel

The essence of a good quilt is the fabric panel. To fit the pattern of the quilt, the fabric panel must be cut to the precise shape plus the ¼” seam allowance. Since the quilting fabric panel is usually cut by human beings, the outcome isn’t always perfect. Add to that the times that the panels you cut are being combined with pre-cut purchased panels or panels from a swap forum, and you will find that at some point you will need to know what to do when a quilting fabric panel comes up a little short.

A Solution

If your problem quilting fabric panel is larger than the finished panel and ¼” seam allowance but is slightly off square – as you see it – see if you have enough allowance to use the fabric squared off but with a little less seam allowance. If not, and the squaring is really unacceptable, toss it into the leftover bag for use in another project.

Before giving up on a quilting fabric panel, try giving it a good pressing. As you press, pull the fabric to try to stretch it out. If the result is a quilting fabric panel that is larger than the seamed square (even if it protrudes into the seam allowance) then the job is done. Line it up carefully and remember that you have less than the usual seam and you should be able to make do.

Now we’ve examined every quilting fabric panel that doesn’t come up to snuff. The problem is that each one is properly squared but a little smaller than you’d like to work with. Cut a piece of freezer paper to the ideal size of the fabric panel. Freezer paper with a grid will be a little easier to work with, but plain paper freezer will do.

On the unshiny side of the paper, draw a horizontal and a vertical line along each center. Use the intersection of the lines to position lines from corner to corner. You can also draw the ¼” seam allowance. These lines will help position the quilting fabric panel.

Take the quilting fabric panel and figure the center horizontally and vertically and position it on the freezer paper. If the fabric has a pattern, try to position it in the areas you consider important. When you can match the fabric with the lines of the freezer paper panel, pin them together.

Use appliqué pins if you have them so you don’t have to remove them as you iron. Press the shiny side of the paper to the fabric. Remove the pins. Make sure that the edges of the quilting fabric panel extend into the seam area. Now you can use the marking on the paper to line up your quilting fabric panel with the other panels.

Once all questionable panels are treated the same way, you can start assembling the quilt. Match up the seams using the paper. Remove the paper after the quilting fabric panel has been joined to panels on all sides and the border has been applied.