Q

• Quilt sandwich - Refers to the step of layering the quilt bottom, the batting and the top prior to basting and quilting.

• Quilt stencil - A template with grooves cut out in a specific design, for use in marking a quilt design on a quilt top.

• Quilt Top - The completed patchwork design which is the top layer of a quilt.

• Quilter's quarter - A plastic rod (1/4" x 1/4" x 8") used to mark the 1/4" seam line for quilting or cutting.

• Quilting - The process of stitching quilt layers together (top fabric, batting and bottom fabric) by hand or by machine.

• Quilting frame - A free-standing device made from wood or plastic pipe that holds the layers of a quilt together during quilting.

R

• Raw edge - Unfinished or cut edge of fabric.

• Reinforce - To strengthen a section with short machine stitches, fabric tape or tape.

• Rip - To remove unwanted stitches. Using a small seam ripper, clip the needle thread every fifth stitch, then pull the bobbin thread out. We prefer to think of this as "reverse stitching".

• Roller foot - Special sewing machine foot, which grips top fabric and reduces under layer creep.

• Rotary cutter and mat - A cutting tool with a round cutting blade to be used with a mat.

• Ruffle - Decorative fabric band, gathered or pleated at the edge or in the center before it is sewn to the garment.

S

• Sampler Quilt - A quilt that combines blocks of different patterns, making it a perfect quilt for beginners to learn both piecing and appliqué techniques.

• Sashing - Another name for lattice, or the fabric strips that frame each block.

• Satin Stitch - Zigzag stitch of any width with a very short length.

• Scrim - A loosely woven fabric resembling a net that is incorporated in the batting to provide strength and secure fibers.

• Seam allowance - The width of fabric between the stitching line and the cutting line. Typically 1/4in. when piecing a quilt.

• Seam line - Stitching line.

• Selvage - Finished edges on each side of woven fabric. Sometimes called self-edge.

• Spot tack - Knot made by a sewing machine at the end of the stitching line by setting stitch length to 0.

• Spray bonding - A resin is applied to the top and bottom surface of the fiber blanket to hold the layers together.

• Stabbing - A stitching technique for quilting using both hands in which you insert the needle into your quilt, pull it out the bottom with your other hand under the hoop, and then push it up from the bottom to the top. The stitches are uneven and crooked on the underside when the stitching is done this way.

• Stabilizer - Tissue paper, nonwoven materials, or water-soluble materials which reduce stitching problems.

• Stay - Strip of lightweight selvage, seam tape, twill tape, tricot bias or bias tape to hold the seam or edge as desired.

• Stitch-in-the-ditch - Technique of stitching inconspicuously from the right side in the well of a seam or next to a seam line.

• Stitching line - Seam line.

• Strip piecing - A method of creating quilts by taking long strips of fabric and sewing them together in a set sequence. This newly combined material is then cut apart and re-sewn to form a part of a quilt. A good example is Rail Fence.

• Swatch - Small fabric piece.

T

• Tack - Permanent stitches to hold fabric layers together.

• Tepid - Moderately warm (lukewarm).

• Thread count - The number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric, including both the length (warp) and width (weft) threads.

• Topstitch - To stitch on the right side of the garment.

• Topweight - Lighter weight fabrics suitable for blouses and dresses.

• Trim - To cut away excess fabric.