Your Complete Guide to Quilting Definitions, Terms and Meanings
Like any creative endeavour, quilting and patchwork comes with its own definitions, terms and meanings. It can all be a bit overwhelming for a beginner. To help you make sure you’re using the right terms, understand their meanings and known the definitions I’ve pulled together a complete list of quilting definitions, terms and meanings.
A – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A ruler of thick, clear plastic used to make straight cuts with a rotary cutter. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Thick, durable plastic pattern used to trace and/or cut around. Available commercially in a variety of shapes and patterns. Can be used with a rotary cutter.
Stitching that covers the entire quilt without regard for block shapes or fabric design. Can be quilted from either the quilt top or the back side.
Plain, pieced, or appliquéd blocks used between a quilt’s primary blocks. Also called alternate squares or setting squares.
Neighbours on the colour wheel.
Adding fabric motifs by hand or machine to a foundation fabric.
See “Stitching sequence.”
A pattern used to trace appliqué shapes onto fabric.
When one-half of an image or block does not mirror the opposite half, the image is asymmetric.
A tool typically used in leather making to create holes. Can be used in quilting to pierce templates for marking points.
B – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
Stitching in open interior spaces, such as in setting squares. Squares, diamonds, clamshells, or other small regular shapes are commonly used as background quilting. The closely spaced lines tend to flatten the area being quilted, creating a low-relief, textured appearance. Also called filler quilting.
The layer of fabric on the back of a quilt. It can be a single fabric, pieced from multiple fabrics, or created using extra blocks.
The process of stitching over one or two stitches to secure them. Can be done by hand or by reverse stitching on a sewing machine. Also a hand embroidery stitch.
Used in hand piecing to end a line of sewing. Can be made with one or two loops.
A quilt style identified by peaks and valleys created from squares of fabric that are sewn in strips, then cut and offset before joining the strips again.
A pattern created when Log Cabin blocks are placed so the lights and darks radiate from the quilt center
Key components for quilting that may be requested on a class supply list. The contents include scissors, needles, and thread. Also called BSK.
Adhesive available in a spray can that may be used to hold the layers of a quilt together instead of thread- or pin-basting.
A large, loose stitch used to hold together layers of fabric or fabric and batting. Basting stitches are usually removed after the layers are permanently joined.
The material used between the quilt top and quilt backing. Commercial battings are available in a variety of fiber contents. Flannel fabric is sometimes substituted for traditional batting.
The process of adding beads to the surface of a quilt.
The appearance of batting on the quilt surface, showing through the holes where the needle pierces the quilt top or backing during the quilting process.
Short, fine needles used for hand piecing, hand quilting, appliqué, and sewing on binding.
Any diagonal line between the crosswise or lengthwise grain line in woven fabric. The bias grain has more stretch and is less stable than the crosswise or lengthwise grain. See also “True bias.”
Purchased metal or heat-resistant plastic bars in varying widths that can be used to make bias stems.
Binding strips cut on the true bias grain, resulting in a binding that can be easily positioned around curved edges. When stripe fabrics are cut on the bias, the result is a “barber pole” effect.
When bias edges of fabric are sewn together, a bias seam results. This seam can be easily stretched and distorted and must be handled with care.
Fabric strips cut on the bias grain so that they are flexible enough to bend without wrinkles or puckers when making floral stems or vines for appliqué.
Long, thin pieces of fabric cut on the bias grain.
A large, evenly-spaced hand quilting stitch used to create a folk art appearance. Also called a utility stitch.
The finishing band of fabric that covers the raw outer edges of a quilt.
A specialty foot that can be attached to the machine for making and sewing binding.
A decorative machine or hand stitch used to outline appliqué pieces. Also called buttonhole stitch.
A machine stitch used to secure appliqué pieces for mock hand appliqué. The machine takes two or three straight stitches, then a zigzag stitch.
The basic unit, usually square and often repeated, from which many quilts are composed. Blocks may be pieced, appliquéd, or solid.
A sample of a block made by cutting the shapes from the desired fabric and affixing them to a surface. Creating mock-up blocks allows the quilter to see how fabrics will work together when cut into smaller pieces.
The portion of the sewing machine that holds the bobbin. Bobbin cases may be fixed or removable, depending on machine style and manufacturer.
The part of the bobbin case that projects upward in some machines. It contains a hole for threading the bobbin thread through to increase the lower thread tension.
A lightweight thread used in the bobbin for machine embroidery, machine appliqué, or decorative stitching. Also called lingerie thread.
Winding thick decorative threads that won’t fit through the machine needle onto the bobbin, then stitching from the quilt back so the bobbin thread appears on the quilt front.
Batting that has been chemically processed using heat or resin to combine the fibers.
Contained fabric designs that run lengthwise on the fabric bolt. Often these prints are cut apart and used as a quilt border.
The framing on a quilt that serves to visually hold in the design and give the eye a stopping point.
A technique in which individual motifs are cut from one fabric and applied to another fabric foundation.
See “Basic sewing kit.”
Long, thin beads sometimes added to a quilt top for embellishment.
A nick or rough area on a needle that may snag fabric.
Term used when border pieces meet at a 90° angle or when binding pieces overlap in the corner at a 90° angle, rather than being mitred.
See “Blanket stitch.”
C – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
Block designs that have multiple pieces meeting in the center. Special piecing techniques are needed to prevent excess bulk or warping at the block’s center.
The visual or actual center of a block where units come together.
Sewing patchwork pieces in a continuous chain from edge to edge without backstitching. Short lengths of thread link the pieces.
An embroidery stitch that appears to be a series of chain links.
Parallel rows of straight-line quilting going in one direction across a quilt top.
A long, oval-eye needle used for heavyweight thread, embroidery, and tying quilts.
A zigzag-type embroidery stitch used for decorative embellishment.
A fabric’s ability to retain its color when it is washed.
See “Watercolour quilt.”
Device used to see the relationships of primary, secondary, and tertiary colours and the tints and shades of each.
Opposites on the colour wheel, which appear brighter when they are used together.
A method of marking, sewing, and cutting a square of fabric so as to transform it into one long bias strip.
Strips of fabric that separate entire rows either vertically or horizontally.
The differences between fabric values, which are described as light, medium, or dark. Contrast clarifies design and makes depth apparent.
See “Novelty print.”
A specialty sewing machine foot that has a deep groove on the bottom to accommodate cording or piping.
Marks made on templates and pattern pieces indicating where corners come together. Especially important when hand-piecing, as the seam allowances are unstitched.
Squares of fabric pieced within sashing that align at the block corners.
A process of stitching thick threads, ribbons, beads, and other items to a quilt surface.
A trim or binding made by covering cording with fabric. Also called piping.
A type of quilting popularized in Victorian times. Crazy quilting is identified by odd-shape pieces of fabric usually sewn onto a foundation and embellished with fancy embroidery, ribbons, and beading. Silk, velvet, cotton, and other fine fabrics are typically used in crazy quilting.
The transfer of colour from one fabric to another, caused by the friction of fabrics rubbing against one another during handling or washing.
See “Grid quilting.”
A decorative embroidery stitch that appears as a series of Xs.
The threads running perpendicular to the selvage across the width of a woven fabric.
A curve that bows inward.
A curve that bows outward.
Made of acrylic plastic, these commercial products make it easier to rotary-cut intricate, curved pieces.
Surface used for rotary cutting that protects the tabletop and keeps the fabric from shifting while cutting. Often mats are labeled as self-healing, meaning the blade does not leave slash marks or grooves in the surface even after repeated usage.
D – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A needle with a long, narrow eye. Used for basting, tying, or weaving.
An open-toe sewing machine foot that is used for free-motion quilting.
A vertical surface used to position and view fabric choices to see how they might appear in a quilt.
A style of quilt top where the blocks are set “on point” in diagonal rows.
A time-saving alternative to rotary cutting. Layers of fabric are centered over a custom-shape die blade, covered with a cutting mat, and rolled through a die-cutting machine.
The ease (or lack thereof) with which the needle glides through fabric.
Borders that have designs running in a particular sequence or order.
Snipping seams on the bias to prevent raveling of fabric edges, such as in appliqué.
Ironing seams in a designated direction to limit bulk in certain areas of a block. Commonly used in diamonds and other center-intersecting blocks.
Sewing seams in a designated direction when piecing to prevent puckering. Commonly used in sewing diamonds and other center-intersecting blocks.
Long points that extend beyond the seam allowance, block edge, or quilt top edge after the pieces are stitched together. Usually trimmed off to make aligning subsequent pieces easier.
Finished-edge appliqué pieces created by facing them with a lightweight interfacing prior to stitching them to a foundation fabric.
Binding made from a fabric strip that is folded in half before being attached to the quilt. Also called French-fold binding.
Specialty sewing machine needles with two or three needles hooked together at the shank. Can be used for decorative stitching.
Caused by the weight of the quilt pulling while sewing. Drag can result in distortion of a finished quilt or uneven quilting stitches.
The relative stiffness or softness of a fabric or quilted piece.
The part of a quilt that extends over the edge of the mattress.
E – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
The process of working in extra fabric where two pieces do not align precisely, especially when sewing curves.
Stitching multiple lines that follow the outline of an appliqué or other design element, echoing its shape.
The process of adding decorative items or stitches to a quilt top. May include buttons, beads, heavyweight threads, or charms.
A type of embellishment or stitchery that can be created by hand or machine using a variety of threads.
Technique of stabilising fabric over a paper template. Frequently used for designs with set-in corners such as the hexagon shape.
A triangle in which all three angles measure 60°. Six equilateral triangles combine to create a hexagon.
The study of work space design to prevent injury.
See “Walking foot.”
Pins with a thinner shaft then standard pins, thus leaving smaller holes in fabric.
F – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A 1⁄8-yard fabric cut that is cut crosswise from a 1⁄4-yard piece of fabric for a finished size of approximately 9″ x 22″.
A 1⁄4-yard fabric cut that is cut crosswise from a 1⁄2-yard piece of fabric for a finished size of approximately 18″ x 22″.
A decorative embroidery stitch.
The sawtooth-edge machine component that rests under the throat plate and aids in moving fabric beneath the presser foot.
Wool fabric which has been machine-washed and dried to create a napped, no-fray material.
See “Background quilting.”
See “Setting triangles.”
The process of pressing a small seam using a finger and pressure. Also called finger-crease.
Created by mechanical or chemical processes used in fabric manufacturing that result in different surface characteristics, from a sheen to a nap. Finishes can be permanent or temporary and may have varying degrees of durability (ability to withstand washings).
A 100% cotton fabric that has a brushed, napped surface.
Pins with a unique flower-shape head. The long shaft makes these pins easy to grab and helps them stay in fabric.
A look achieved by cutting side and corner setting pieces large enough that the block edges in the quilt centre do not touch the border.
A common unit in quiltmaking. It is identified by its rectangular shape created with a large 90° triangle in the centre and two small 90° triangles on each side. For a tutorial on How to Make Flying Geese [CLICK HERE].
A method of sewing together fabric pieces on the reverse side of a paper pattern or foundation fabric. Sometimes preferred for joining very small or irregularly-shaped fabric pieces.
A block or unit comprised of four equal-size squares sewn in two horizontal rows, often with alternating color placement.
A block with fabric strips around it that give it the appearance of being framed. This technique can be used to unify blocks or adjust block size.
Machine embroidery done with the feed dogs disengaged and using a darning presser foot so the quilt can be moved freely on the machine bed in any direction.
A process of quilting done with the feed dogs disengaged and using a darning presser foot so the quilt can be moved freely on the machine bed in any direction.
Paper commonly available at grocery stores that can be used to make appliqué patterns. The shiny coating on one side temporarily adheres to fabric when pressed with a warm iron.
See “Double-fold binding.”
A decorative embroidery stitch formed by wrapping thread around the needle.
A paper-backed adhesive that can be ironed to the back of fabric that is then cut into shapes. These fused shapes are adhered to a background fabric by pressing them with a warm iron. Frequently used in appliqué projects.
Isolating and cutting out a specific print or motif from a piece of fabric. To find out more about this technique [CLICK HERE] to read “What is Fussy Cutting: A Complete Guide“.
G – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A long running stitch that can be pulled to draw up the fabric.
Pins with a glass head that won’t melt when pressed.
Treating thread and fabric with starches and special chemicals, as well as polishing, to create a high luster.
Reference to the lengthwise or crosswise threads in a woven fabric.
Fabric in a raw, unfinished state. Pronounced “gray-zh” goods.
A system of dividing quilt blocks into smaller units to organize the design. Nine-Patch and Four-Patch are two commonly used grids.
Quilting in vertical and horizontal lines across the quilt top. Also called crosshatching.
H – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
The 90° triangle formed when a square is cut in half diagonally once.
The feel of the fabric. Determined by the different greige goods and finishes used on fabric.
Using needle and thread to hand-sew fabric pieces onto a fabric foundation.
A piece of hardwood that can be used to “press” open a seam.
Using needle and thread to hand-sew seams while making a quilt top.
Pattern shapes used to trace and cut patches for hand-piecing projects. The pattern shapes do not include seam allowances.
Series of running stitches made through all layers of a quilt with needle and thread.
A piece of fabric sewn to the back of a quilt. The fabric holds a rod so a quilt can be hung for display.
Intricate, symmetrical appliqué designs. The pattern-making process is similar to that used to create paper snowflakes.
A decorative embroidery stitch.
A fabric woven with coloured threads rather than printed. The color is inherent in the fabric and not applied at a later time.
I – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
See “Set-in seam.”
The amount of pure color (saturated or brilliant) or muted color (grayed or subdued) present in a fabric.
The process of stitching just next to the seams on the quilt surface; it is often used to define blocks or shapes. Also called stitch-in-the-ditch quilting.
The process of moving the iron while it has contact with the fabric, which can stretch and distort fabrics and seams. Ironing is distinctly different from pressing.
A triangle with two equal sides whose sum is longer than the base.
J
James William Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He was best known for his tropical rock music, which often portrayed a lifestyle described as “island escapism” and promoted enjoying life and following passions.
K – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A quilt block pattern in which fabric is pieced so that it resembles the variegated image seen through a kaleidoscope.
A device attached to a sewing machine that allows the quilter to raise the machine presser foot with the knee, leaving the hands free to manipulate or hold the fabric.
A binding alternative in which both the quilt top fabric and backing fabric are turned under to meet evenly at the edges of the quilt, leaving the quilt edges without an additional strip of binding fabric.
See “Quilter’s knot.”
L – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
Hand quilting done while holding the quilt loosely in the lap without using a hoop.
A decorative embroidery stitch often combined to create a flowerlike design.
The threads running parallel to the selvage in a woven fabric.
A translucent surface that is lit from below and is used for tracing patterns onto paper or fabric. Available in crafts or photo-supply stores.
See “Bobbin-fill thread.”
The stitch created by a sewing machine consisting of several very short stitches which serve the same purpose as a knot. Used to begin or end a row of stitching that will not be crossed by another seam.
The thickness of the batting.
A block assembled in a numerical sequence with strips, or “logs,” beginning at the center of the block and working in a clockwise direction around a square center.
Strips of fabric used to make a Log Cabin block.
A quilting machine in which the quilt layers are held taut on a frame that allows the quilter to work on a large portion of the quilt at a time. The machine head moves freely, allowing the operator to use free-motion to quilt in all directions.
M – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
Attaching fabric motifs onto a fabric foundation with a sewing machine.
Machine-sewing patchwork pieces together with 1⁄4″ seam allowances while making a quilt top.
Series of stitches made through all layers of a quilt sandwich with a sewing machine.
The balancing forces exerted on the needle and bobbin threads by the sewing machine that affect the quality of its stitch. Tension may be affected by the machine parts, how the machine and bobbin are threaded, thread type, needle type, and fabric choice.
A variety of pens, pencils, and chalks that can be used to mark fabric pieces or a quilt top.
Where the seam line joining two pieces begins or ends. Also known as a joining point.
An allover quilting pattern characterized by a series of large, loosely curved lines that usually do not cross over one another. Commonly used to cover an entire quilt surface without regard for block or border seams or edges.
A needle designed with a larger eye for use with metallic thread.
A synthetic thread with a shiny, metallic appearance.
A long needle with a small round eye. Used for basting, gathering, and needle-turn appliqué. Also called a straw needle.
The reverse of an image or how it might appear if held up to a mirror.
Border strips that meet in the corner at a 45° angle.
A method of using clear, monofilament thread in the needle, cotton thread in the bobbin, and a blind hemstitch to make virtually invisible appliqué stitches by machine.
Use of a single colour, which may include tints and shades of that colour, such as baby pink, hot pink, and magenta.
A clear or smoke-coloured thread made of polyester or nylon that is used for machine quilting and appliqué. Finished stitches are virtually invisible.
N – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A process wherein the fabric surface is brushed, creating soft texture. This process is used to create flannel
A process used in batting manufacture to entangle the fibers and stabilize the batting.
A device that helps in getting thread through the eye of a needle. Available for both hand and machine sewing.
An appliqué method in which the seam allowances are turned under with the needle tip just ahead of the section being stitched.
A block or unit comprised of nine squares of fabric sewn together in three horizontal rows, often with alternating colour placement. A common block configuration in quilting.
A small V shape clipped into a curved seam to reduce bulk and make seams lie flat when joined.
Fabric designed with a theme that may include holiday symbols, hobbies, or pet motifs. Also called a conversation print.
O – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
When the lengthwise and crosswise grains of fabric don’t intersect at a perfect right angle.
A woven, natural-fiber cloth (usually cotton duck/canvas) treated with an oil coating, making it relatively waterproof. Modern versions of this fabric are generally vinyl-coated cloth and are sometimes offered with a napped, flannel backing.
Quilt blocks that are positioned on the diagonal are on point.
Quilting done 1⁄4″ from a seam line or an edge of an appliqué shape.
Fabric that is first dyed and then printed.
P – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A thin piece of paper with a drawn, printed, or stitched pattern that becomes the base for a quilt block when fabric is sewn directly onto it.
A two-step process of seaming to avoid set-in seams.
A soft, yarnlike cotton thread used for quilting, decorative stitching, or embellishment. Available in a variety of thicknesses.
Technique for transferring photo images onto fabric for use in a quilt top.
Blocks or pieced units sewn together to make a single border unit that is then sewn to the quilt centre.
The portion of a quilt that is tucked under the pillow(s).
Process of basting together quilt layers using pins (most often safety pins).
Rotary-cutter blade or scissors with edges that cut a zigzag pattern in fabric.
See “Covered cording.”
The process of leaving the needle in the fabric and turning the fabric when machine-piecing or machine-quilting.
A single strand of fibre. Several plies are twisted together to create a thread.
A multicolour or scrappy mix.
A chalk bag that can be patted over a stencil to transfer a pattern to fabric. Also called stamping powder.
Folded fabric triangles used as a quilt border or embellishment.
Washing and drying of fabric by the quilter or manufacturer to remove finishes and shrink fabric before it is cut and sewn.
The removable machine accessory that holds fabric in place against the machine bed and accommodates the needle. A variety of presser feet styles are available for most machines.
The process of picking up the iron off the fabric surface and putting it back down in another location, rather than sliding it across the fabric.
Pure colours – red, yellow, and blue – that combine to create all other colours on the colour wheel.
Seams with uneven or pulled spots. Can be caused by pushing or pulling the fabric through the sewing machine, having unbalanced thread tension, or pulling the thread too taut when hand-sewing.
Q – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
The 90° triangle formed when a square is cut diagonally twice in an X.
The quilt top before borders are added.
The three parts of a quilt layered together-the quilt top, batting, and backing.
The front of a quilt prior to layering and quilting. It can be pieced, appliquéd, or a single piece of fabric.
A knot used frequently in quilting in which thread is wrapped around the needle, then the needle is pulled through the wraps to create a knot. Also known as knot on the needle.
A machine attachment used as a guide for channel or grid quilting.
The space between quilting stitches. Batting manufacturers recommend different quilting distances for their products.
Two pieces of wood or plastic that are placed on the top and bottom of a quilt to hold the fabric taut for quilting or surface embellishment.
Quilting patterns with open areas through which a design is transferred onto a quilt top. May be purchased or made from sturdy, reusable template plastic.
Shapes that are traced around to mark a quilt top for quilting. May be purchased or made from sturdy, reusable template material.
R – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
An unfinished fabric edge. Sometimes used as a decorative element on quilt tops.
A synthetic thread used for embroidery, embellishment, and sometimes quilting, but not piecing.
A device that allows quilters to view fabric and projects as if they were several feet away. Distance may be valuable in determining design qualities.
White or off-white fabric with images embroidered in red embroidery floss.
A raised surface, created in quilting by stuffing or filling an area, then quilting around it, as done for trapunto.
Repetitions of a pattern or design in a fabric, or repetition of a quilting design or motif.
Recreations of fabrics from different time periods, such as the Civil War era or the 1930s.
The ability of a batting to resist creasing and regain its loft.
An appliqué method in which the foundation fabric is on top of the appliqué fabric. The foundation is cut away to reveal the appliqué fabric underneath.
A triangle with one 90° angle.
The process of bringing the needle back to the surface of all the quilt layers by using a rocking motion. Also called a rock-and-roll motion.
Tool with a sharp, round blade attached to a handle that is used to cut fabric. Blades are available in different diameters.
See “Cutting mat.”
A quilt layout in which a different type of block comprises each row.
A series of in and out stitches used in piecing, quilting, and embellishing.
S – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A quilt in which each block is a different pattern.
Typically used in woodworking and crafts. The fine-grit type can be used in quilting to hold fabric while marking to prevent distortion.
A type of Japanese embroidery traditionally using a thick white thread on layered indigo-color fabric to create geometric patterns.
Strips of fabric used to separate or set off block designs.
A compact zigzag stitch often used around appliqué pieces to enclose raw edges and attach the appliqués to a foundation fabric.
The size of a print in relationship to other fabrics.
A border with multiple curves around the quilt’s outer edges.
The process of applying designs to a fabric surface in separate steps.
A loosely woven fabric resembling a net. Used to contain fibers in some types of batting.
Distance between the fabric raw edge and the seam line. Typically 1⁄4″ in hand and machine piecing.
The straight or curved line on which the stitches should be formed
A sharp, curved-tip tool used to lift and break thread when removing a seam. Also called an “Unpick”.
Colours created by combining equal parts of two primary colours – orange, violet, and green.
Small, round beads used for embellishment.
Using backing fabric as binding, rather than attaching a separate binding strip.
See “Cutting mat.”
The lengthwise edge of woven fabric
A wavy-line stitch sometimes used in quilting.
How blocks are arranged in a quilt top.
The type of seam used when a continuous straight seam is not an option. Separate steps are necessary to sew a piece into an angled opening between other pieces that have already been joined. Also called inset seam.
The first pressing of the seam as it comes from the sewing machine to lock threads together, smooth out puckers, and even out minor thread tension differences before pressing the seam open or to one side.
Solid, pieced, or appliquéd squares placed between the focal-point quilt blocks to set off a design.
Triangles used to fill out a design when blocks are set on point. Also called filler triangles.
Black added to a colour or hue creates a shade of that colour; also refers to slight variations in a colour.
The body of the needle that extends below the shank.
The top part of the needle that is held by the machine.
A thin hand or machine needle with an extremely sharp point that is used to piece woven fabrics.
The amount of area a fabric or quilt loses after being washed, dried, or quilted.
Quilt block with a blank area where a signature has been added with permanent ink pen or embroidery.
Thin-shaft pins with sharp points ease insertion into fabric and make tiny holes in delicate fabrics.
A quilt created primarily from a single block shape, such as Tumbling Blocks or Grandmother’s Flower Garden.
A single-thickness fabric strip used to enclose quilt edges. Most commonly used for miniature quilts or quilts that will not be handled frequently.
Product used to add body or stability to fabric, making it easier to handle.
Small hand stitches used to secure binding to quilt backing.
Plain border sewn between a quilt center and an outer pieced border.
A colour grouping utilising a primary, secondary, or tertiary colour and the colours on each side of its complement (yellow with red-violet and blue-violet, for example).
The spindle that holds thread on the top of the sewing machine.
Liquid starch or sizing that can be sprayed over fabric to stabilize it before cutting.
Measuring and, if necessary, trimming a block to ensure that it is the correct size.
Straightening one edge of the fabric prior to rotary cutting.
Straightening the edges of a quilt prior to sewing on the binding.
A product used beneath an appliqué foundation to eliminate puckers and pulling on the fabric while machine-stitching. Stabilisers are often tear-away or water-soluble for easy removal after stitching is complete.
A quilting stitch in which the needle and thread are brought to the back and up again in separate movements.
A quilt style with pieces outlined by black bias tape that simulates the leading in stained-glass windows.
See “Pounce.”
A decorative embroidery stitch.
An embroidery stitch frequently used to outline objects.
An allover quilting pattern characterized by a series of randomly curved lines that do not cross. Stippling is used to fill in background areas, which allows motifs to be more prominent. Also called allover meandering.
A designated order in which appliqué pieces should be stitched to the foundation fabric. Normally notated on appliqué patterns or pieces by a number.
See “In-the-ditch quilting.”
The number of stitches per inch. On a sewing machine, stitch length is often in millimeters.
A term generally applied to machine satin or zigzag stitching where the stitch width can be adjusted.
A ruler or other rigid surface that can be placed on template material or fabric to position a cutting tool or draw a line.
See “Lengthwise grain.”
A quilt top setting with blocks aligned side by side in straight, even rows without sashing.
A border that has been added first to the top and bottom of the quilt, then to the side edges, or vice versa.
A sewing machine throat plate with a small round hole for the needle to pass through. This allows less area for the sewing machine to take in or “swallow” the fabric as it is being stitched.
See “Milliners needle.”
Sewing multiple strips of fabric to a foundation piece for use in a block.
A process for accurately and quickly joining multiple strips, then cutting them into units or subunits for blocks. Also known as the strip method.
At the beginning of a seam, the fabric edge is sometimes pushed into the throat plate by the needle and it appears that the machine has “swallowed” the fabric.
When one-half of an image or block is the mirror image of the opposite half.
Threads made from polyester, rayon, and nylon.
T – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A hand stitch used to secure appliqué pieces to a foundation.
The sewing machine part that holds thread and pulls it up as the stitch is being made.
A needle with an oval eye that accommodates thick thread and creates a hole in the fabric big enough for thick or coarse fibers to pass through.
A relative characteristic that denotes the warmth or coolness of a colour.
A pattern made from paper, cardboard, plastic, acrylic, or other sturdy material used to cut pieces for patchwork or appliqué.
Easy to cut, translucent material available at quilt shops and crafts supply stores. Designs can be traced onto its surface with a marking tool to make templates, pattern pieces, or quilting stencils.
See “Machine tension.”
A sewing machine component that allows for adjustment of the upper thread tension, important to achieving a balanced stitch.
Sewing machine parts that hold the thread and keep the tension appropriate for the stitch being sewn.
Colours that are combinations of primary colours (red, blue, yellow) and secondary colours (green, orange, violet)-red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green, yellow-green, and yellow-orange.
When a single shape is repeated on a quilt top and covers the surface without holes or overlap
A four-colour combination of colours equidistant on the colour wheel.
A device to protect finger pads from needle pricks. Can be made of metal, leather, plastic, or rubber.
Basting quilt layers together using a needle and thread and extra-long stitches that will be removed after the quilting is complete.
The number of threads woven into a fabric. A higher number designates a more tightly woven fabric.
Mechanical or chemical processes performed during thread manufacture to enhance the thread’s ability to perform under certain sewing conditions.
The removable plate on the machine bed that covers the bobbin and has an opening for the feed dogs and needle. Throat plates can be changed depending on the type of project.
White added to a colour or hue creates a tint of that colour.
A colour’s intensity-its degree of lightness or darkness.
Fabric that appears solid from a distance but has subtle areas of light and dark.
A machine straight stitch typically done on the right side of a project close to a seam.
A thin, translucent paper used for copying patterns.
A method of adding raised texture to quilts by stuffing design areas. Trapunto often is used in stems, leaves, and other motifs.
Hand-quilting technique of moving from one area to another without knotting the thread and starting again.
Any three colours equally spaced on the colour wheel, one of which usually takes precedence in a colour scheme (yellow-orange, blue-green, and red-violet, for example).
The square unit created when two 90° triangles are sewn together on the diagonal.
Intersects the lengthwise grain and crosswise grain at a 45º angle.
See “Tying.”
Taking a stitch through all three layers of the quilt and knotting it on the quilt surface. Tying creates a loftier quilt. Also called tufting.
U – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
Borders of different widths resulting in an asymmetrical look.
A combination of two or more pieces of fabric sewn together that form part of a block.
A sewing machine needle type with a point and eye suited for multiple sewing and quilting applications.
See “Big stitch.”
V – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A notch taken out of a seam to reduce bulk.
Thread in which the color changes throughout the strand.
A style of quilt top in which the blocks are set on point in vertical rows.
W – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A sewing machine presser foot with grippers on the bottom that act in tandem with the machine’s feed dogs to evenly feed multiple layers of fabric and batting beneath the foot. Effective for machine quilting. Also called an even-feed foot.
Quilt identified by multiple squares of print fabrics positioned so each colour blends into the next, creating a watercolour effect. Also called colour-wash quilt.
Threads, stabilizers, or marks that dissolve when wet.
Small hand stitches used to join two finished edges, such as in English paper piecing.
X
The X-Files is an American science fiction drama television series created by Chris Carter. The original television series aired from September 1993 to May 2002 on Fox.
Y – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
Three-dimensional gathered fabric circles that may be sewn into quilt tops or used for decorative embellishments.
Z – Quilting Definitions, Terms & Meanings
A style of quilt top in which the blocks are set on point in vertical rows that are slightly offset.
A side-to-side stitch that can be used for machine appliqué. It can be shortened and very closely spaced to create a satin stitch.
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