Quilting Terminology Every Beginner Quilter Should Know
If you’re new to quilting and you’re confused by some of these new terms you’re suddenly hearing, then look no further. I have compiled here for you a complete list of common and useful quilting terminology and their definitions — from Appliqué to Zig-Zag Stitch. This list is by no means exhaustive, but should give you a great foundation to start building your quilting knowledge.
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Appliqué
Raw edge, fabric shapes or motifs that are applied to a background fabric.
Backing
The bottom layer of the quilt sandwich. Usually made from one, large piece of fabric. Can be solid or patterned.
Basting
Temporarily holding together the three layers of the quilt sandwich prior to quilting. This can be done with stitches, large basting pins or adhesive basting sprays.
Batting
The layer of insulation between the quilt top and the backing. Batting is available in various types of materials and lofts (thickness).
Bias
Cutting fabric at a 45 degree angle to the straight grains of a woven fabric. This creates a large amount of stretch to a fabric, as opposed to cutting with or perpendicular to the grain.
Binding
The strip of fabric that is sewn around the outside edge of a quilt to hide the raw edge of your quilt layers and ultimately finish a quilt.
Block
A designed square that is part of larger quilt design. Blocks are usually repeated within a quilt pattern and are sewn together to create a quilt-top.
Bobbin
A part of a sewing machine that the bottom thread is wound on to. Two threads – a top thread and a bottom thread – come together to create a stitch.
Bolt
The cardboard form on which large amounts of fabric is stored, typically in a retail setting, prior to cutting. Typically holds 100 yards of fabric.
Chain Piecing
A method of sewing blocks together, one after the other, in an assembly line fashion. The thread is not cut between blocks, creating a long chain.
Charm Pack
A bundle of precut 5” squares. Usually contains 42 squares of coordinating fabrics from a collection. Fat Quarter Shop has a huge selection!
Cutting Mat
A work surface designed for cutting fabric. Comes in varying sizes and usually has markings for 1/4” measurements and often includes marks for 30, 45, and 60 degree angles. Cutting mats can get pretty sophisticated, but I would suggest starting with something basic like this one by Fiskars. I love that it’s nice and large! It’s also foldable and reversible.
Dog Ears
Directional Prints
Fabrics with a clear up and down pattern.
Fat Eighth
A quarter yard of fabric, cross cut. Approximately 9” x 22”.
Fat Quarter
A half yard of fabric, cross cut. Approximately 18” x 22”. A Very popular size cut for quilting.
Finger Pressing
Pressing a seam open/to the side using the warmth and pressure of your fingers, as opposed to a hot iron. A handy technique for short seams. Can be done while sitting at the sewing machine, rather than at an ironing board or pressing table.
Flying Geese
A foundational quilt block that is common in quilt patterns. It is composed of a triangle, flanked by two smaller triangles, that come together to make a rectangle.
Fussy Cutting
A method of cutting fabric so as to feature a specific part of a print, such as a face or character.
Half Rectangle Triangle (HRT)
Two opposing triangles that comes together together to form a rectangle.
Half Square Triangle (HST)
Two triangles that come together to form a square. A very common foundational piece for many quilt patterns.
Jelly Roll
A collection of precut fabric strips that measure 2.5” x approximately 42” and are rolled together and packaged.
Layer Cake
A bundle of precut 10” squares. Usually contains 42 squares of coordinating fabrics from a collection.
Nesting Seams
Pressing seams of alternating rows in opposite directions, so that when sewing the rows together, the corners of your blocks come together more precisely and “lock” into place.
Notions
Small tools used for sewing.
Pattern
A set of detailed instructions for a specific quilt design. Pattern designers usually produce printed pamphlets and digital PDF versions of a quilt pattern. Check out quilt patterns from Modern Moon here.
Piecing
The process of sewing together a quilt top.
Pivot
A sewing technique used when you need to change directions. The needle is stopped in the down position (through the fabric) and the presser foot is lifted. You can then rotate the fabric around the needle, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing in the new direction.
Precuts
Fabrics that are already cut to popular quilting sizes, such as 5” and 10” squares, 2.5” strips, etc. (See: Charm Packs, Layer Cakes, and Jelly Rolls).
Pressing
Using a hot iron to flatten seams, usually in one direction or with the seams apart or “open”. My favorite pressing iron is my Oliso SmartIron! They lift automatically, come in fun colors and they offer both full size and mini!
Presser Foot
A sewing machine attachment that applies pressure to the fabric while you sew.
Quarter Square Triangle
Four equally sized triangles that comes together to form a square.
Quilt Along (QAL)
An online event over the course of several weeks where a group of quilters sew the same quilt pattern. A weekly tutorial allows the participants to follow along and complete the quilt together. A QAL is usually hosted by the pattern designer.
Quilt Sandwich
The three layers of a quilt prior to quilting; includes the quilt top, batting and backing.
Quilt Top
The face of a quilt. The top layer that is pieced together.
Quilting
The process of sewing together the three layers of a quilt sandwich, usually with a specific pattern or decorative design.
Rotary Cutter
A cutting tool for fabrics. Picture a mini pizza cutter. I would suggest an ergonomic rotary cutter, like these from Olfa, if you plan to do a lot of cutter. And definitely get at least a 45mm blade, but the larger 60mm is also great to have on hand.
Right Side
The front, printed side of a fabric. This term does not typically apply to solid fabrics.
Seam Allowance
The measured space between the edge of the fabrics and the row of stitches. In quilting, this is almost always at 1/4”.
Seam Ripper
A small tool used to remove stitches. To be avoided at all costs.
Selvage
The tightly woven edge of the fabric.
Square Up
The process of trimming a finished quilt block to create a perfect square before continuing to piece the blocks together.
Strip Piecing
The process of sewing together long strips of fabric and then cutting into subunits.
Throat Space
On the sewing machine, the enclosed space to the right of the needle. Also, known as the harp.
Walking Foot
A sewing machine accessory that evenly feeds multiple layers of fabric and batting through the sewing machine. Used when quilting your quilt sandwich.
Width of Fabric (WOF)
The width of fabric yardage from one selvage edge to the other, usually 42” – 44”. “WOF” is the shorthand term that is typically seen in quilt pattern instructions.
Wrong Side
The back side of a fabric, opposite the printed side. This term does not typically apply to solid fabrics.
Zig Zag Stitch
A side-to-side stitch typically used for attaching appliqués to a quilt top.
Questions?
Are there any terms that are not on this list that you think should be included? Comment below!
