Do you know panel sewing?

When my supplier showed me the bag panels, I didn’t hesitate long about which patterns to offer in the shop and which one I would sew to present these gems to you!

So let’s talk about these panels and especially how to use them. 

Panels: what are they?

Panels are:

- pre-cut fabric pieces in a standard size
- featuring a particular pattern (to place or not)
- allowing the creation of a complete project

The best-known panels are those used to make sweatshirts where it’s necessary to place the "large" pattern on the front. There are also panels for making jersey dresses, pajamas, skirts... in short, there’s plenty of choice. 

The one illustrating my point is a bag panel. Here, no need to center the pattern because you use the whole panel! 

The bag panel I chose

The bag panel I chose consists of:

- 4 bag faces allowing you to make a reversible bag or two (if you use another fabric for the lining)
- handle pieces
- the printed instructions in English, German, Dutch
- the assembly diagram
- a template to make the clips on the bag faces. 

I chose the most kitsch model: "I love Jesus". It reminds me of South American virgin statues covered in flowers, the atmosphere of Romeo and Juliet, my devout grandmothers, and the violet scent of drawers... in short, this choice was obvious! 

I chose to make two bags and use two fabrics for the linings. I picked two scraps of twill from my personal stash. You can also use canvas, gabardine, denim... a fabric with some body. 

Marie Hélène also fell for the Vermeer pattern and made a lined version. 

Materials needed to create your panel bags

- A bag panel of your choice

- matching thread

and lining fabric if you want to make two in the same panel (allow about 50cm for each lining). 

How to use the bag panel.

1. Cut all the pieces along the drawn line.
If you choose two bags: cut the sides 4 times from the lining fabric and cut the handles in half along the line separating the two patterns.
Cut the webbing you just made twice from the lining fabric (you should have a total of 8 webbing pieces). 

If you want, I recommend overlocking or zigzag stitching your pieces. 

2. Make the clips for the bottom of the bag using the template.

3. Make the handles.
If you choose a reversible version: fold the handle lengthwise right sides together and stitch the open length at 1cm. Turn the handle right side out. 
If you choose a two-bag version: sew the patterned handles right sides together to their lining. Stitch both lengths at 7mm and turn right side out. 

4. Assemble the bag sides with matching patterns by the bottom and sides (leave the top of the bag open).

5. Position the handles according to the markings given in the instructions on each outer side of the bag.

6. Place the outer bag and its lining one inside the other, right sides together (make sure to position the webbings correctly during sewing so they don’t get caught in the seam) and stitch at 1 cm. Leave an opening wide enough to turn the bag. 

7. Topstitch the top of the bag. This will close the hole used to turn the bag right side out. 

For my part, I chose to stitch at 5mm and 1cm to create a double decorative topstitch. 

8. Ta-da! The bag is finished... Now all that’s left is to show it off, do your shopping, and store your projects... 

I’m super happy with my bags that will follow me everywhere... but first, they will join the shop window where Lucienne and Simone (the two female mannequins) will enjoy them a bit even though Gaetan already grabbed one to go grocery shopping! 

Are you interested in panels? Let me know in the comments if jersey panels would please you and if so, what type. 

So, get your needles ready!