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Quilting Dictionary

Free-Motion Quilting (FMQ)

Quilting

Machine quilting where the feed dogs are dropped and the quilter guides the fabric freely to stitch curves, loops, and custom designs.

Interactive Quilt Sandwich Visual

1. Pieced Quilt Top

The finished pieced or appliquéd decorative top fabric layer facing upward.

2. Batting / Wadding

The insulating middle fluff layer (cotton, wool, or polyester) providing warmth and loft.

3. Backing Fabric

The bottom sheet layer of fabric (often continuous or seamed) forming the back of the quilt.

Also see

More Quilting terms

Keep exploring the glossary.

BackingThe bottom layer of a quilt — the fabric on the underside, behind the batting. For anything wider than a fabric width, it's pieced from several widths seamed together.BastingTemporarily holding the quilt sandwich's layers together (with pins, spray, or thread) before quilting.BattingThe insulating middle layer of a quilt, sandwiched between the pieced top and the backing.Echo QuiltingStitching a line (or several) that repeats the outline of a shape at an even distance, like ripples.Longarm QuiltingMachine quilting done on a large, dedicated frame machine, often offered as a finishing service by a longarm quilter.Meandering / StipplingAn all-over, random, puzzle-piece-like free-motion quilting pattern that fills space without crossing itself.

Put it into practice

Block LibraryBrowse classic pieced blocks and their history.Pattern MakerDrag blocks onto a grid to design your own quilt top.Yardage CalculatorWork out exactly how much fabric your quilt needs.

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