How to Sew a Panel Quilt: Highland Glen Panel Guide

By Quilt in a Day - Helping Quilters Since 1978 | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: Guías prácticas

Learn how to sew a panel quilt using the Highland Glen panel by Jim Shore. Step-by-step guidance on stabilizing, borders, and finishing for a polished result.

Quick answer

To sew a panel quilt, start by measuring and squaring your panel, then stabilize it with a thin batting or interfacing, add borders with careful math, and finish with simple quilting that follows the panel's printed lines. The Highland Glen panel by Jim Shore works well because its 24 x 43-inch size gives you a clear focal point and manageable borders.

Why panel quilts are a smart first project

Panel quilts remove the pressure of piecing an entire top from small shapes. The printed design does the visual work, so you can focus on straight seams, accurate borders, and finishing. That makes them ideal if you want a satisfying project without committing to a complex pattern.

The trade-off is that panels leave less room for error in border measurement. Because the panel is the centerpiece, any wavy or uneven border will be noticeable. Taking time to measure and ease carefully matters more than speed.

Choosing borders that frame the panel

For a panel like Highland Glen, simple borders in coordinating colors let the artwork stand out. Avoid busy prints that compete with the panel's details. A narrow inner border and a wider outer border is a classic combination that adds size without distraction.

If you want a larger quilt, consider adding cornerstones or a pieced border, but keep the math simple. The panel's fixed dimensions mean you need to calculate border lengths based on your actual measured panel, not the listed size.

Quilting options that respect the panel design

You can quilt a panel with simple straight lines, stitch-in-the-ditch around the border seams, or free-motion designs that echo the printed motifs. The goal is to secure the layers without obscuring the panel's focal points. If you are new to quilting, straight lines are forgiving and quick.

One common exception: if the panel has large unprinted areas, you may want denser quilting there to prevent sagging. Otherwise, keep quilting evenly spaced across the entire quilt to avoid distortion.

Step-by-step: sewing your Highland Glen panel quilt

Measure and square the panel: Press the panel gently with a dry iron, then measure its actual width and length. Use a large square ruler to trim any uneven edges, removing as little as possible. Common mistake: assuming the panel is exactly 24 x 43 inches without measuring, which throws off border math. Record your trimmed panel dimensions before cutting any border strips.
Stabilize the panel: Cut a piece of thin batting or lightweight fusible interfacing to the panel's size and fuse or baste it to the wrong side. This prevents the panel from stretching and helps it lie flat. Checkpoint: ensure no wrinkles or bubbles form during fusing.
Cut and attach the inner border: Cut two side strips and two top/bottom strips based on your measured panel size plus seam allowance. Sew the side borders first, press seams outward, then add the top and bottom borders. Common mistake: stretching the border strips while sewing; pin generously and sew with the border on top.
Add the outer border: Repeat the border process with your wider outer border fabric, measuring the quilt's new dimensions after the inner border is attached. Keep the same seam allowance throughout. Checkpoint: measure the quilt center and borders at several points to confirm they match before sewing.
Layer and baste the quilt: Cut backing and batting at least 4 inches larger than the quilt top on all sides. Layer backing wrong side up, then batting, then quilt top right side up. Baste with safety pins or spray adhesive, smoothing from the center outward. Common mistake: basting too sparsely, which leads to tucks during quilting.
Quilt as desired: Choose a simple quilting plan such as straight lines spaced 2 to 3 inches apart or stitching around the panel motifs. Use a walking foot for straight lines to keep layers from shifting. Checkpoint: test your stitch length and tension on a scrap quilt sandwich first.
Trim, bind, and label: Square the quilted edges with a large ruler and rotary cutter, removing excess batting and backing. Attach binding using your preferred method, mitering corners. Add a label with your name and date. Common mistake: trimming too aggressively and losing the quilt's straight edges; measure twice and cut once. Take a photo of the finished quilt before gifting or displaying it.

Product facts

BENARTEX - Highland Glen by Jim Shore - Highland Glen Panel - Red/Multi - PL1466: This 100% cotton panel measures 24 x 43 inches and features Jim Shore's Highland Glen design in red and multi colors. The finished size gives you a clear starting point for border calculations, and the cotton fabric takes quilting stitches well.
BENARTEX - Highland Glen by Jim Shore - Highland Glen Panel - Red/Multi - PL1466