Quilting Glossary

Appliqué (Applique) ⌄

Sewing fabric shapes onto a background fabric by hand or machine.

Technique

Backstitch ⌄

A few stitches sewn in reverse to secure a seam at the beginning or end.

Stitching

Backing ⌄

The fabric used for the back of the quilt, behind the batting.

Layer

Basting ⌄

Temporarily securing quilt layers with pins, spray, or long stitches before quilting.

Prep

Batting (Wadding) ⌄

The middle layer that provides warmth and thickness (cotton, poly, wool, blends).

Layer

Bias ⌄

The diagonal direction of fabric (45° to the grain) that stretches more than straight grain.

Fabric

Binding ⌄

Fabric strips that finish the quilt’s outer edge, covering raw edges and adding durability.

Finish

Blanket Stitch ⌄

A decorative stitch often used to finish appliqué edges by hand or machine.

Stitching

Block ⌄

A single design unit of a quilt top, often repeated to form the overall pattern.

Structure

Border ⌄

A fabric strip around the quilt top’s edges that frames the design and can add size.

Design

Chain Piecing ⌄

Sewing multiple units one after another without cutting thread between them to save time.

Speed

Charm Pack ⌄

A pre-cut bundle of 5" squares, usually multiple prints from one fabric line.

Precut

Colorway ⌄

A specific set or version of colors used in a fabric collection or quilt design.

Design

Cornerstone ⌄

A square placed at the corners where borders meet, often decorative or for pieced borders.

Design

Crosshatch ⌄

Quilting lines stitched in one direction and then the other, creating a grid pattern.

Quilting

Cutting Mat ⌄

A self-healing mat used with a rotary cutter to protect surfaces and improve accuracy.

Tool

Stitch in the Ditch ⌄

Quilting directly in the seam “ditch” so stitches are less visible from the top.

Quilting

Directional Print ⌄

Fabric with a clear “up/down” orientation; requires careful cutting so motifs face correctly.

Fabric

Easing ⌄

Gently distributing a small amount of extra fabric so two pieces sew together smoothly without tucks.

Technique

English Paper Piecing (EPP) ⌄

Hand-piecing fabric around paper templates (often hexagons) for precise shapes and seams.

Handwork

Fabric Grain ⌄

The direction of threads in woven fabric: lengthwise grain, crosswise grain, and bias.

Fabric

Fat Eighth ⌄

A half of a fat quarter (about 9" x 22"), great for smaller cuts and variety.

Fabric Cut

Fat Quarter ⌄

A quarter-yard cut that’s wider than a strip (about 18" x 22").

Fabric Cut

Feed Dogs ⌄

The teeth under the presser foot that move fabric through the sewing machine.

Machine

Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) ⌄

Piecing fabric onto a printed paper foundation for sharp angles and precise blocks.

Technique

Free-Motion Quilting (FMQ) ⌄

Quilting with the feed dogs lowered so you can move the quilt freely to draw stitched designs.

Quilting

Frog (Frogging) ⌄

Undoing stitches (“rip it, rip it”) to correct mistakes—painful, but sometimes necessary.

Fix

Fusible Web ⌄

Heat-activated adhesive used to bond fabric shapes (commonly for appliqué).

Tool

Fussy Cut ⌄

Cutting fabric to center a specific motif or image within a block or shape.

Technique

Gusset ⌄

An inserted fabric piece that adds depth/shape (more common in bags/quilted accessories than quilts).

Construction

Hand Quilting ⌄

Stitching quilt layers together by hand, often with a rocking motion and a thimble.

Handwork

Half-Square Triangle (HST) ⌄

A square made from two triangles; a building block for countless quilt patterns.

Unit

Hanging Sleeve ⌄

A fabric tube sewn on the back of a quilt to slide a rod through for display.

Finish

Jelly Roll ⌄

A pre-cut bundle of 2.5" wide fabric strips, usually from one coordinated collection.

Precut

Joining Seams ⌄

Seams used to connect units or blocks together into rows and a full quilt top.

Construction

Quilt Label ⌄

A label added to the back with maker name, date, location, and sometimes a message or care notes.

Finish

Layer Cake ⌄

A pre-cut bundle of 10" squares, often from a single fabric line or collection.

Precut

Lengthwise Grain ⌄

Threads running along the fabric’s length (parallel to the selvage); least stretch.

Fabric

Loft ⌄

The thickness or “puffiness” of batting; higher loft looks more dimensional.

Batting

Longarm ⌄

A quilting machine on a frame used to quilt large projects more easily than a domestic machine.

Machine

Mitered Corner ⌄

A 45° corner join on borders or binding for a crisp, tailored look.

Finish

Mockup ⌄

A test layout (often on a design wall or floor) to preview block placement and color balance.

Design

Needle-Turn Appliqué ⌄

Hand appliqué method where seam allowances are turned under with the needle as you stitch.

Handwork

Nesting Seams ⌄

Pressing seams in opposite directions so they “lock” together and align points accurately.

Accuracy

Notches ⌄

Small marks used to align pieces; more common in garment sewing, but can help in complex piecing.

Alignment

On Point ⌄

Blocks set on a diagonal so their corners point up/down/sideways rather than sitting square.

Layout

Patchwork ⌄

Piecing small fabric shapes together to create a larger design or quilt top.

Technique

Pattern Repeat ⌄

How often a fabric print repeats; useful for fussy cutting and matching motifs.

Fabric

Piecing ⌄

Sewing fabric pieces together to create blocks and the quilt top.

Basics

Pin Basting ⌄

Using safety pins to hold the quilt sandwich together for quilting.

Prep

Pressing ⌄

Lifting and setting the iron to flatten seams (not sliding like ironing, which can distort fabric).

Technique

Press Open ⌄

Pressing seam allowances apart to reduce bulk; can help with some intersections.

Pressing

Press to the Dark Side ⌄

A common rule: press seam allowances toward the darker fabric to prevent shadowing on light fabric.

Pressing

Quilt Sandwich ⌄

The three quilt layers: quilt top, batting, and backing.

Layers

Quilting ⌄

Stitching through all layers to hold the quilt sandwich together and add texture/design.

Core

Walking Foot ⌄

A sewing machine foot that feeds top and bottom layers evenly; great for straight-line quilting.

Tool

Quilt Top ⌄

The finished patchwork/appliqué top layer before it’s quilted to batting and backing.

Layer

Raw-Edge Appliqué ⌄

Appliqué method where edges are not turned under; often finished with satin stitch or zigzag.

Technique

Rotary Cutter ⌄

A rolling blade tool used with a ruler and mat to cut accurate fabric shapes quickly.

Tool

Right Sides Together (RST) ⌄

Placing the “pretty” sides of fabric facing each other before sewing a seam.

Abbrev

Sashing ⌄

Fabric strips placed between blocks to separate them and create visual breathing room.

Design

Scant 1/4" Seam ⌄

A seam slightly less than 1/4" to account for fabric fold thickness and improve accuracy.

Accuracy

Seam Allowance ⌄

The distance between stitching and fabric edge; quilting commonly uses 1/4".

Basics

Seam Ripper ⌄

A small tool used to cut and remove stitches when you need to undo a seam.

Tool

Selvage (Selvedge) ⌄

The tightly woven finished edge of fabric; often removed before piecing.

Fabric

Set-In Seam ⌄

A seam that joins pieces at an angle or curve, requiring careful alignment (common in advanced blocks).

Technique

Snowball Block ⌄

A block made by sewing triangles or squares onto a square’s corners, creating the look of a circle/“snowball.”

Block

Spray Basting ⌄

Using temporary adhesive spray to hold quilt layers together for quilting.

Prep

Stash Busting ⌄

Using fabric you already own (“the stash”) to complete a quilt—thrifty and satisfying.

Lifestyle

Stippling ⌄

A dense meandering quilting design that adds texture without crossing lines.

Quilting

Stitch Length ⌄

How long each stitch is; shorter stitches are stronger for piecing, longer for basting.

Machine

Strip Piecing ⌄

Sewing fabric strips together first, then cutting units from the strip set for speed and consistency.

Speed

Template ⌄

A shape pattern (paper/plastic) used to trace/cut consistent fabric pieces.

Tool

Thread Weight ⌄

Thread thickness; lower numbers are thicker thread. Affects quilting texture and visibility.

Supplies

Tension ⌄

How tightly the sewing machine pulls top and bobbin thread; balanced tension prevents loops and puckers.

Machine

Topstitch ⌄

Stitching on the right side of fabric for structure or decoration (common in binding and bags).

Stitching

Square Up (True Up) ⌄

Trimming a block or unit to an exact size with a ruler for accuracy before final assembly.

Accuracy

UFO (Unfinished Object) ⌄

A project you started and paused—unfinished quilts are lovingly called UFOs.

Lifestyle

Understitching ⌄

A technique to keep seam allowances on the inside; more garment-y, but useful for quilted items.

Technique

Wadding ⌄

Another word for batting; the quilt’s soft middle layer.

Layer

Wall Quilt ⌄

A quilt intended for display rather than bedding, often smaller and more decorative.

Project

Width of Fabric (WOF) ⌄

The usable width from selvage to selvage (often about 40–44 inches).

Abbrev

Y-Seam ⌄

A seam junction shaped like a “Y” where three pieces meet; common in some advanced blocks.

Technique

Zigzag Stitch ⌄

A side-to-side stitch used to finish raw edges, secure appliqué, or add decorative detail.

Stitching

Audition (Blocks/Fabrics) ⌄

Testing fabric placement or block order before sewing to balance color and contrast.

Design

Block of the Month (BOM) ⌄

A program where you make one block per month, then assemble them into a quilt.

Community

Tailor’s Clapper ⌄

A wooden tool used after pressing to set seams flatter and crisper, reducing bulk.

Tool

Contrast ⌄

The difference between light/dark or bold/soft colors that helps shapes stand out in a quilt.

Design

Crosswise Grain ⌄

Threads running across the width of fabric; slightly more stretch than lengthwise grain.

Fabric

Design Wall ⌄

A surface (flannel, batting, foam board) used to arrange blocks and preview layout.

Tool

Diagonal Setting ⌄

Another term for “on point” layout where blocks are rotated 45°.

Layout

Echo Quilting ⌄

Quilting lines that repeat around a shape at even spacing, like ripples around an island.

Quilting

Edge-to-Edge Quilting ⌄

A continuous quilting pattern repeated across the whole quilt (common with longarm quilting).

Quilting

Flange Binding ⌄

Binding with a narrow contrasting “flange” (accent strip) that frames the quilt edge.

Finish

Flying Geese ⌄

A unit made of one large triangle flanked by two smaller triangles; looks like a little goose.

Unit

Friction Pen ⌄

A marking pen that “erases” with heat; test first because marks can return in cold temps.

Tool

Grainline ⌄

A reference direction for cutting so pieces stay stable and don’t warp as you sew.

Fabric

Hand Basting ⌄

Using long temporary stitches by hand to hold layers together for quilting.

Prep

Heat-n-Bond ⌄

A popular brand of fusible web used for appliqué and fabric bonding.

Supplies

In-the-Hoop (ITH) ⌄

Machine embroidery method where an item is constructed in an embroidery hoop (often quilted projects).

Machine

Inset Border ⌄

A border built from multiple sections or pieced elements rather than simple long strips.

Design

Interfacing ⌄

A stabilizer (fusible or sew-in) used to add structure, especially in quilted bags and pouches.

Supplies

Kona Cotton ⌄

A widely used solid quilting cotton brand known for a large color range.

Fabric

Leaders & Enders ⌄

Small scrap units sewn at the start/end of seams to reduce thread waste and build bonus projects.

Speed

Matchstick Quilting ⌄

Very close parallel lines (like matchsticks) that create a clean modern texture.

Quilting

Needle Size ⌄

Needle thickness/type (universal, quilting, microtex) chosen based on fabric and thread for best stitches.

Supplies

Needle Threader ⌄

A tool (or built-in feature) that helps pull thread through the needle eye—tiny miracle worker.

Tool

Quilting Ruler ⌄

A clear acrylic ruler with grid lines used with a rotary cutter for accurate cutting and trimming.

Tool

Pieced Backing ⌄

A quilt back made from multiple fabric pieces sewn together (useful for scraps or extra-wide quilts).

Backing

Prairie Points ⌄

Folded fabric triangles inserted into seams as a decorative edge or accent.

Finish

Quilt As You Go (QAYG) ⌄

Quilting smaller sections first, then joining them—great for managing large quilts on a domestic machine.

Technique

Quilting Stencil ⌄

A reusable template used to mark quilting designs onto fabric before stitching.

Tool

Reverse Appliqué ⌄

Cutting away top fabric to reveal fabric underneath, then stitching edges to finish the design.

Technique

Round Robin Quilt ⌄

A collaborative quilt where each person adds a border/section before passing it to the next maker.

Community

Sampler Quilt ⌄

A quilt made from many different block designs, often for learning and variety.

Project

Scrim ⌄

A thin stabilizing layer in some battings that helps reduce stretching and can affect drape.

Batting

Seam Nesting ⌄

Another term for nesting seams—pressing opposite directions so seams interlock and points match.

Accuracy

Shadowing ⌄

When a darker seam allowance shows through lighter fabric; pressing toward dark fabric can help prevent it.

Pressing

Strip Set ⌄

Multiple fabric strips sewn together into a panel, then cut into units for blocks.

Speed

Template Plastic ⌄

A sturdy plastic sheet used to make durable templates for repeated cutting/shapes.

Tool

Thimble ⌄

A protective cap for your finger (especially in hand quilting) that helps push needles safely.

Tool

Walking Foot Quilting ⌄

Quilting using a walking foot for smooth, even feed—ideal for straight or gently curved lines.

Quilting

Wavy Border ⌄

A border that ripples due to uneven measurements or stretching; measuring and easing can prevent it.

Troubleshoot

Wonky ⌄

Intentionally imperfect or playful angles/shapes—often a modern, improvisational style choice.

Style

Wrist Pincushion ⌄

A pincushion worn on the wrist to keep pins handy while piecing or basting.

Tool

Yardage ⌄

The amount of fabric required (measured in yards), often listed in patterns for each fabric.

Supplies

Zero-Waste Quilting ⌄

A cutting/piecing approach designed to minimize scraps and maximize fabric use.

Style