A beginner-friendly lexicon for patchwork fans & fabric lovers
You've heard the word "quilt" before, but have no idea what a Binding is? Or why everyone suddenly raves about Fat Quarters?
Then you are exactly right here: Welcome to the little 1×1 of quilting – your compact reference for all important terms about quilting, sewing, and loving fabrics.
✂️ Quilt – what actually is it?
A quilt is a blanket made of three layers: top fabric (often patchwork), batting in the middle, and backing.
These three layers are joined by quilting lines – either by hand or with a sewing machine.
🧩 Patchwork
Patchwork means: sewing small fabric pieces together into a larger pattern.
There are infinitely many block patterns, from traditional to modern. Patchwork is basically the heart of many quilts.
📐 Fat Quarter
A Fat Quarter is a fabric cut (usually 50×55 cm), ideal for patchwork.
Unlike a normal fabric strip, it is wider and squarer – perfect for small projects.
🧵 Binding
The Binding is the fabric strip that neatly finishes the edges of a quilt.
You can sew it on visibly (contrast!) or make it almost disappear.
🪡 Quilting
"Quilting" is the actual joining of the three quilt layers.
This can be done in straight lines, patterns, or freehand.
Tip: The denser the quilting lines, the more stable (but also stiffer) the blanket becomes.
🛏️ Wholecloth Quilt
A quilt made from a single continuous piece of fabric – no patchwork, no frills.
Ideal for beginners, baby blankets, or minimalist style. Here, the quilting is the focus!
🧼 Pre-washing
Many quilters wash fabrics before sewing to avoid shrinking and color bleeding.
For linen or muslin: absolutely. For patchwork fabrics: a matter of taste.
🔄 Quilt sandwich
This is what the three layers of a quilt (top, batting, backing) are called before they are quilted.
Important: secure well with spray, pins, or basting thread so nothing shifts.
🧰 Notions – what you need:
- Rotary cutter + cutting mat
- Patchwork ruler
- Good cotton threads
- Quilting foot for the sewing machine
- Batting (cotton, polyester, wool...)
👉 A detailed article with my personal sewing tool list will be published soon!
Stitch in the Ditch
A quilting technique where quilting is done exactly on the seam line of the patchwork blocks.
🧵 Almost invisible, but super effective for stability.
Chain Piecing
Several fabric pairs are sewn one after another without stopping – like on a chain.
⚡ Saving time in patchwork – a bit like assembly line sewing, only nicer.
Basting (Notions)
Securing the three quilt layers (top, batting, backing) before quilting.
📌 With safety pins, basting thread, or spray adhesive – depending on your nerves.
WIP (Work in Progress)
An unfinished quilt project – and yes, sometimes it stays that way a bit longer…
🙈 WIP drawer = a perfectly normal part of quilting!
Stash
Your own fabric stash – often lovingly hoarded, rarely used consistently.
🧺 You don't need new fabric. But you want it. And that's okay.
Pressing vs. Ironing
When pressing, the iron is placed down, not pushed – important for clean seams!
🔥 Pressing = warped blocks. So: better press than panic.
Label (Tag)
A small name tag on the quilt: who, when, for what – that makes it personal.
🖋️ Underestimated detail with great impact.
UFO (UnFinished Object)
A project that was once started full of euphoria but never finished.
👽 You are not alone. We all have some.
