Putting on binding is the last step in the quilting process! You’re almost done!

I have spent more than 30 years in education. My foundation is in special education. That means that I can talk for 10 minutes without you’re figuring out half the things that I just said! Just like teenagers in any generation, quilters have their own language. Here are just a few terms from the National Quilters Circle to get you started:

Applique: A technique where fabric shapes are cut and sewn onto a fabric block or quilt top. Typically a fusible material is ironed to back of shape, and then ironed to fabric.

Backing: A quilt consists of three layers. A quilt top is either pieced or a single piece of fabric. The next layer is batting. The bottom layer of a quilt is a piece of fabric that is generally 4 inches longer on all sides, this allows for quilting on long arm machine. Backing fabric can be a single piece of extra wide backing fabric or a fabric of your choice which will be sewn together to the size needed.

Backstitch: A stitch used to secure the stitch at the beginning and end of a seam by stitching 4 stitched forward, 4 stitches back and then proceeding with your seam. This technique is done to secure seam and ensure it does not pull apart during piecing or quilting of quilt.

Basting: Long stitches used to temporarily hold fabric in place, can be done by hand or by machine. It is used to hold all three layers (quilt top, batting and backing) in place when ready for quilting process.

Batting: A light weight, warm product used between the quilt top and quilt backing used for quilts, wall hangings, quilted clothing and home décor. Batting is also referred to as Wadding. It is generally made up of cotton, cotton/poly blend, bamboo, wool, bamboo cotton blend.

Binding: Finishing of the quilt with long, thin fabric strips that are attached to the borders of a quilt.

Blocks: The basic unit of a quilt. There will be many blocks in a quilt. A block can be a single piece of fabric or made up of many pieces of fabrics. Blocks are sewn together with a traditional ¼ inch seam allowance.

Blocking: When a block is not square, blocking means that the block needs to be cut or pressed to measure a proper square.

Borders or Sashing: Strips of fabrics that “frame” the edges of a block or a quilt. Most sashing is 2.5 inches but can be any width depending on the design of your quilt.

Notions: Small accessories used to aid in sewing and quilting: scissors, needles, thread, seam ripper, etc.

Piecing or Topper: Process where you sew your fabric pieces together to form a block or quilt. The first layer in your quilt.

Stash: Fabrics that have been accumulated for projects, or because you really liked it, or because you have a fabric addiction!

Top Stitch or Edge Stitch: The process of stitching on the exterior side of a project to finish the seams or folds.

UFO: An Unfinished Object or project. Most quilters work on several projects at a time.

WOF: Width of fabric or salvage to salvage.

Wrong Side: The “back” of the fabric, usually the opposite of a printed fabric. Difficult to detect on solids.