Quilting Glossary

Appliqué                 

Adding pieces of fabric to the top layer of a quilt to add interest/design.

Batting                    

Middle layer of a quilt, adds to the warmth of the quilt.  Often 100% cotton, wool, silk or polyester.

Backing                  

The back fabric layer of a quilt. Often a single piece of fabric, but may also be pieced together.

Binding 

The outside edge of a finished quilt.  Most commonly a two-layer fabric strip folded around the raw edge of a quilt to provide additional protection. 

Piece Together       

Sewing all the cut pieces of a quilt top or block.

Quilting                   

Sewing three layers of fabric/material together – the top, batting, and backing. 

Quilt Block              

Basic building block of a quilt.  Could be a sewn together repeating block, an appliqued piece, or a single solid colour.

Quilt Top                 

The top layer of a quilt.  Either a pieced together pattern, or a single piece of fabric.

Rotary Cutter          

Circular cutting tool that allows for continuous cutting of fabric.