Pattern makers assume quilters know the common slang terms used in quilting, but beginners often don't know their meanings. Some of those terms are defined here.
Batik
Originally, batik referred to a fabric dyed with a wax-resist dye. Today, the term refers to any fabric that uses traditional batik designs even if they aren't dyed with wax-resist dyes.
Batting
Any of a number of materials used to to thicken a quilt. Polyester, wool, and cotton are the most common materials used. Bamboo is gaining popularity.
Bias Cut
Cutting the fabric on the cross grain or at a forty-five degree angle to the selvage, as opposed along the length or width of the fabric. A bias cut is stronger than a normal cut.
Binding
The way the three layers of a quilt: the quilt top, batting, and backing, are bound together. Most quilters use fabric strips that are sewn together so they are longer than the perimeter of the quilt, then sewn to the front and back of the quilt.
Block
The basic unit of the quilt pattern. Examples include a log cabin block and a nine-patch block.
Border
The fabric "frames" arranged around the central quilt pattern. Borders are added to increase the width of a quilt, to add dimension to a pattern, or highlight the quilt pattern. Borders can vary in size and number, depending on the pattern and taste of the quilter.
Charm Pack
Charm Packs are 5 inch squares fabric. They are generally samples of a designer's or manufacturer's collection.
Charm Quilt
A quilt made of charms or 5 inch squares of fabric.
Fat Quarter
A piece of fabric that is 22 inches by 18 inches. In area, a fat quarter equals a quarter of a yard of fabric (396 square inches), but a true quarter of a yard is the width of the fabric: 44 inches by 9 inches.
Free-motion Quilting
Free-motion quilting is done with the feed dogs of the sewing machine down, which allows the quilter to move the quilt in any direction desired and to create flowing, continuous designs. Most sewing machines require a special foot to do free-motion quilting.
Jelly Roll
Like Charm Packs, Jelly Rolls are usually samples of a designer's or manufacturer's fabric line. They are, however, 44 inches in length and 2.5 inches wide. Most Jelly Rolls have 40 strips of fabric. Many patterns are available to make Jelly Rolls quilts. For example, Moda has several on their free patterns web page. Some newer fabric bundles are Layer Cakes, Honey Buns, Dessert Roll, and Turnovers.
Long-Arm Machine
A specially designed sewing machine with a larger than average space between the needle and the body of the machine to allow the quilter to move the machine over the rolled-up quilt. Long-arm machines are mounted on a stand that is part of a frame on which the quilt top, batting, and backing are rolled.
Rotary Cutter
A fabric cutter that consists of a hand grip with a safety cover over a sharp circular blade. It enables the quilter to cut evenly with a ruler and through multiple layers of fabric.
Sashes
Fabric sewn between quilt blocks to separate the blocks. Not all quilts have sashes, and their size varies depending on the block size. Generally, there is only one sashing between blocks.
Selvage
The fabric's bound edges, which run the length of the bolt. The designer's name, the manufacturer, fabric line, and a color key are printed on the selvage. Most quilters remove the selvages before cutting out their projects.
Square Up
To make a block square, with all sides even, and to make all the quilt blocks the size required by the pattern.
Stitch in the Ditch
A simple method of quilting a quilt. The quilter sews the quilt top, batting, and backing together by stitching in the ditch or along the seam lines of the quilt top's pattern.
These are only a few of the terms used in quilting. For other definitions, check a general quilting book, such as Quilter's Complete Guide.
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