The Panel Quilting Workshop: 12 Quick-and-Easy Quilting Ideas

As a quilting enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for books that not only inspire creativity but also simplify complex techniques. Ruth Ann Berry’s The Panel Quilting Workshop: Quick & Easy Panel Quilts for Every Style delivers on both fronts, offering a treasure trove of ideas for anyone who loves quilting with pre-printed fabric panels.

First Impressions

The book immediately grabbed my attention with its vibrant cover featuring intricate yet approachable panel quilt designs. It promises to take the guesswork out of working with fabric panels, which, if you’ve ever tried, can sometimes be tricky to incorporate into cohesive quilts.

What This Book Offers

Berry’s book is more than just a collection of patterns—it’s a workshop in itself. She walks readers through the fundamentals of selecting, cutting, and arranging panels to create striking designs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced quilter, the step-by-step instructions make the process feel manageable and even fun.

Here are some standout features:

Variety of Styles: The book includes a wide range of designs, from traditional to modern, ensuring there’s something for every taste.
Clear Instructions: Each project is laid out with detailed diagrams, material lists, and helpful tips.
Creative Panel Uses: Berry demonstrates how to elevate simple panels into stunning quilts using techniques like sashing, borders, and pieced elements.

Personal Highlights

One of my favorite projects in the book was the Stained Glass Panel Quilt. The clever use of black sashing to mimic stained glass gave the finished piece a dramatic and elegant look. I also appreciated the section on troubleshooting common issues, like aligning panel seams or choosing complementary fabrics.

What I Loved Most

Berry’s writing style is approachable and encouraging. She clearly understands the challenges quilters face and offers practical advice without overwhelming the reader. The book feels like a personal lesson from a seasoned mentor.

Room for Improvement

While the book is packed with great ideas, some readers might wish for more guidance on customizing panels beyond the included designs. A section on designing your own layouts could take this book to the next level.

Who Is This Book For?

If you’ve ever been intimidated by pre-printed panels or wondered how to transform them into something extraordinary, this book is for you. It’s also perfect for quilters who want quick, satisfying projects without sacrificing style.

Final Thoughts

The Panel Quilting Workshop is a delightful addition to any quilter’s library. It strikes a perfect balance between inspiration and instruction, empowering quilters to experiment and create with confidence. Ruth Ann Berry has crafted a guide that feels both practical and personal, making it a must-read for anyone passionate about quilting.

Next Quilting Pattern:

Some fabric collections feel pretty, some feel useful, and then there are those rare ones that instantly spark a dozen ideas the moment you see them. The In the Garden Layer Cake from Fat Quarter Shop falls firmly into that last category. From the moment I opened the pack, it felt like stepping into a watercolor garden—soft, romantic, full of movement, and brimming with detail that invites you to slow down and really look.

This collection brings together an elegant mix of florals, garden motifs, and soothing color palettes that feel like they were created for spring quilting. Instead of loud novelty prints, the designer chose a gentle balance of botanical sketches, scattered blossoms, tiny seed patterns, and larger feature florals that work beautifully in both traditional and modern layouts.

What struck me most is how thoughtfully the color stories are arranged. Each print blends seamlessly into the next, giving you a spectrum that includes soft rose pinks, leafy greens, lavender tones, fresh sky blues, rich corals, and delicate neutrals. It’s the kind of palette that instantly feels “quilty” in the best way—inviting, calm, and incredibly easy to mix and match. You can tell the designer planned this for maximum versatility.

Layer cakes are one of the most beginner-friendly precuts, but this collection elevates them with a sense of sophistication. The prints are strong enough to shine in simple patterns, but subtle enough to support more complex designs. Whether you prefer classic half-square triangles, framed squares, modern grid quilts, or something scrappier, this fabric adapts beautifully. It’s also a wonderful choice for table runners, spring wall hangings, and even quilted bags or home décor projects.

One of the nicest surprises with this layer cake is how it manages to feel seasonal without becoming locked into one particular holiday or theme. While the palette is undeniably perfect for spring, the prints themselves are timeless enough to work year-round. A floral quilt made from this collection would look just as lovely on a summer sunroom sofa as it would draped over a guest bed in winter.

The fabric quality is exactly what you’d expect from Fat Quarter Shop—crisp, clean cuts, vibrant printing, and a smooth hand that makes piecing feel effortless. Nothing is too thin or too stiff, and the colors are even more beautiful in person than they appear online.

If you enjoy sewing projects that feel light, fresh, and inspired by nature, In the Garden is a collection worth adding to your stash. It has all the qualities quilters look for: balance, versatility, gentle movement, and that spark of creativity that makes you want to start a project immediately. Whether you’re planning a gift quilt, treating yourself to a new spring project, or simply building your fabric library with a set of prints that will play nicely with others, this layer cake is a thoughtful and inspiring choice.