**A Comprehensive Guide to Quilting Terminology: Your Go-To Glossary for Quilters**
Quilting is an art form that brings comfort and creativity together, transforming fabric and thread into beautiful, functional works of art. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just starting out, you’ve likely come across some unfamiliar terms. Quilting has its own language—one that’s rich in history and technique. To help you navigate the world of quilting with confidence, here’s a handy glossary of essential quilting terms.
1. Appliqué
A decorative technique where fabric shapes are sewn onto a background fabric. The shapes can be hand-stitched or machine-sewn. Appliqué is often used to add designs or images to a quilt.
2. Backing
The fabric used for the back of a quilt, usually a single piece or multiple pieces sewn together. The backing is the side that is not visible when the quilt is in use.
3. Batting
The layer of padding between the quilt top and the backing. Batting can be made from cotton, polyester, wool, or a blend of these materials. It provides warmth and loft (thickness) to the quilt.
4. Bias
The diagonal grain of the fabric at a 45-degree angle to the selvage. Fabric cut on the bias has more stretch and flexibility, making it ideal for binding curved edges or adding stretch to projects.
5. Binding
The strip of fabric that finishes the edges of a quilt. It’s usually sewn around the perimeter of the quilt to enclose all the raw edges and give the quilt a polished look.
6. Block
A single unit of a quilt pattern, often square, that is pieced or appliquéd. Blocks are usually repeated to form the overall quilt design, though they can vary in size and design.
7. Chain Piecing
A method of sewing multiple pieces of fabric together in a continuous sequence without stopping between pieces. Chain piecing is a time-saving technique that many quilters use to increase efficiency.
8. Charm Pack
A bundle of pre-cut fabric squares, typically 5 inches by 5 inches, from a fabric collection. Charm packs are great for quick quilting projects, as they allow you to use a variety of fabric designs without cutting all the pieces yourself.
9. Cutting Mat
A self-healing mat used as a surface for cutting fabric with a rotary cutter. The grid lines on the mat help measure and cut fabric accurately.
10. Design Wall
A vertical space where quilters arrange blocks or fabrics to visualize the overall quilt layout before sewing them together. Design walls are usually made of flannel or batting to hold fabric pieces in place.
11. Fat Quarter
A fabric cut that is usually 18 inches by 22 inches, created by cutting a half-yard of fabric in half again. Fat quarters provide more versatile fabric pieces than a standard quarter-yard cut.
12. Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP)
This is a precise piecing technique where fabric is sewn onto a printed paper foundation following a pattern. After sewing the fabric to the paper, the paper is torn away, leaving a crisp, accurate block.
13. Foundation Piecing
A method of sewing fabric pieces onto a foundation or backing (often paper) to create precise patterns. Paper piecing is a popular type of foundation piecing, especially for intricate designs.
14. Free-Motion Quilting
A technique of quilting where the quilter moves the fabric freely under the needle while stitching, allowing for creative, fluid designs. Free-motion quilting is often used for detailed quilting patterns, like swirls, flowers, or other intricate motifs.
15. Grain
The direction in which the threads of fabric run. There are three types of grain: straight (along the length of the fabric), cross (perpendicular to the length), and bias (diagonal). Understanding the grain of the fabric helps with cutting and piecing.
16. Half-Square Triangle (HST)
A basic quilting unit made by cutting a square of fabric diagonally into two triangles and then sewing the triangles back together. HSTs are incredibly versatile and used in many quilt block patterns.
17. Layer Cake
A stack of pre-cut fabric squares, typically measuring 10" x 10", from a single fabric line. Layer cakes are often used in patchwork quilts and are handy for quick quilt projects.
18. Longarm Quilting
A method of quilting where a longarm machine is used to stitch together the layers of a quilt. This machine has a large frame and allows the quilter to complete larger quilts more quickly than with a domestic sewing machine.
19. Patchwork
The process of sewing smaller pieces of fabric together to create a larger design, usually in a quilt top. Patchwork can be as simple as sewing squares together or as complex as intricate, multi-shaped designs.
20. Quilt Sandwich
The quilt sandwich consists of three layers: the quilt top, the batting, and the quilt backing. These layers are basted together and then quilted to form the finished quilt.
21. Quilt Top
The top layer of a quilt, typically made up of pieced or appliquéd fabric. It is the most visible and decorative part of the quilt.
22. Quilting
The process of stitching through all three layers of a quilt: the quilt top, batting, and backing. Quilting can be done by hand or machine and can be simple straight lines or elaborate designs.
23. Raw Edge
The unsewn edge of a piece of fabric. In quilting, the raw edges of fabric pieces are usually sewn into seams to prevent fraying.
24. Rotary Cutter
A circular blade attached to a handle, used for cutting fabric with precision. Rotary cutters are often used in combination with a cutting mat and ruler to ensure accurate fabric cuts.
25. Sashing
Strips of fabric used to separate blocks in a quilt. Sashing adds structure and visual interest to the quilt design.
26. Seam Allowance
The extra fabric between the stitching line and the raw edge of the fabric. In quilting, the standard seam allowance is ¼ inch, allowing for precise piecing.
27. Selvage
The tightly woven edge of fabric that runs parallel to the grain. The selvage usually has markings from the manufacturer, such as the fabric name, designer, or color swatches. Quilters often trim off the selvage before piecing fabrics together.
28. Stash
A quilter’s collection of fabric, often gathered over time. Many quilters like to "shop their stash" when starting a new project, pulling fabrics from their personal collection rather than buying new material.
29. Stippling
A form of free-motion quilting where the stitches form small, random, meandering patterns without crossing over each other. Stippling is often used to fill in larger quilt areas or as a background texture.
30. Strip Piecing
A technique where long strips of fabric are sewn together and then cut into smaller sections, which are used to create quilt blocks. Strip piecing is a time-saving method that ensures uniformity.
31. Subcutting
Subcutting is the process of cutting a larger strip or piece of fabric into smaller, more specific shapes or sections. It typically starts with cutting a strip of fabric, often the full width of fabric (WOF), and then cutting that strip into smaller pieces according to the pattern's requirements.
For example, a pattern might instruct you to cut a 4-inch strip of fabric across the WOF and then subcut that strip into 4-inch squares. Instead of cutting each square individually, you first cut a larger piece (the strip) and then make the smaller cuts to save time and ensure uniformity.
32. UFO (Unfinished Object)
A project that has been started but not completed. Many quilters have a few UFOs tucked away, waiting for the right time to finish them!
33. Walking Foot
A sewing machine foot with built-in feed dogs that help move multiple layers of fabric evenly through the machine. Walking feet are particularly useful when quilting straight lines or working with bulky layers.
34. WIP (Work in Progress)
A quilt project that is currently being worked on but is not yet finished. Unlike a UFO, a WIP is actively being worked on!
35. WOF (Width of Fabric)
The full width of a fabric, from selvage to selvage, usually between 40-45 inches for quilting cotton. When patterns call for strips cut by WOF, they mean to cut along the full width of the fabric.
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This glossary should help you feel more confident as you dive into the world of quilting. Whether you're creating your first quilt or adding to your repertoire, understanding these key terms will enhance your skills and enjoyment of the craft. Happy quilting!