Quilting has a lot of words that are specific to the craft, and they don’t often come with an explanation. We’ve all been beginners at some point, and having a handy guide of quilting definitions is a great tool no matter what your experience level. Check through our list of most-used quilting words and phrases the next time you need a little refresher.

Quilt A bed coverlet made of two layers of fabric with a layer of padding in between, usually stitched together in a decorative pattern.

Block A single unit of a quilt top, often repeated to create a larger design.

Piecing The process of sewing together small pieces of fabric to create a quilt top.

Sashing Strips of fabric placed between blocks or around the border of a quilt to separate and frame them.

Binding Fabric strips sewn around the edges of a quilt to encase the raw edges and create a finished look.

Backing The fabric used on the underside of a quilt, often a single large piece that complements the quilt top.

Batting The middle layer of a quilt, typically made of cotton, polyester, wool, or a blend, providing warmth and loft.

Quilting The stitching that holds the layers of a quilt together, either by hand or machine, often following a decorative pattern.

Stitch in the Ditch Quilting along the seams between pieced blocks or units to secure the layers without adding additional visible stitching.

Free-motion Quilting Quilting technique where the fabric is moved freely under the needle of a sewing machine to create designs and patterns.

Longarm Quilting A method of quilting using a specialized sewing machine with an extended arm and more throat space, allowing for easier quilting of larger projects.

Foundation Paper Piecing A method of piecing where fabric is sewn onto a paper template, ensuring precise alignment and complex designs.

Appliqué A technique where fabric shapes are stitched onto a background fabric to create decorative designs or images.

Quilt Sandwich The layered construction of a quilt consisting of the quilt top, batting, and backing.

Basting Temporary stitches, pins, or adhesive used to hold the layers of a quilt sandwich together before quilting.

WIP (Work in Progress) A quilt project that is still underway and not yet completed.

Fat Quarter A quarter-yard piece of fabric that is a 18" by approximately 21", often used for quilting and crafts.

Selvage The finished edge of a fabric that runs parallel to the lengthwise grain, often containing manufacturer information.

Bias The diagonal direction of fabric across the grain, which has more stretch and flexibility than the lengthwise or crosswise grain.

WOF (Width of Fabric) The measurement across the width of a bolt of fabric, typically around 42-44 inches for quilting cotton.

 

Thimble A protective covering worn on the finger while hand-sewing.

Walking Foot A sewing machine foot with feed dogs on the top that helps evenly feed multiple layers of fabric through the machine while quilting.

Stippling A quilting technique where closely spaced, meandering stitches are used to create a textured design across the surface of the quilt.

Chain Piecing A technique where multiple fabric pieces are sewn together in a continuous chain without cutting the thread in between, increasing efficiency during the piecing process.

Scant Quarter Inch A seam allowance that is slightly less than a quarter inch, commonly used in quilting to ensure accurate piecing and block sizes.

Half-Square Triangle (HST) A quilting unit made by sewing together two triangles cut diagonally from a square, creating a right-angle triangle.

Binding Clips Clips used to hold quilt binding in place during sewing, preventing distortion and puckering.

Basting Spray A temporary adhesive spray used to hold layers of a quilt sandwich together during the basting process, providing stability without the need for pins.

Jelly Roll A pre-cut bundle of fabric strips, typically 2.5 inches wide by the width of fabric, often used for quick and easy quilting projects.

Echo Quilting A quilting technique where parallel lines of stitching are sewn around a motif or shape, creating a series of echoed outlines for emphasis.

Quilt Label A fabric tag or panel attached to the back of a quilt, containing information such as the quilt maker's name, date completed, and any special notes or messages.