Have you ever been left wondering what some quilting terms mean?
If you’re new to quilting, you’ve probably come across words and abbreviations in patterns that leave you scratching your head.
What exactly is a ‘scant ¼” seam’?
And why does everyone talk about WOF like it’s common knowledge?
Learning quilting terms is like learning a new language, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!
This guide will break down all the essential quilting terms you need to know so you can follow patterns with confidence and enjoy every step of your quilting journey.
Whether you’re searching for a beginner’s quilting glossary or need help understanding quilt pattern instructions, this post has you covered.
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Basic Quilting Terms
Quilt Top – The pieced fabric that forms the top layer of a quilt.
Batting – The soft, fluffy layer in the middle of the quilt that adds warmth and thickness.
I like to use Warm and Natural Cotton Batting in my quilts. This batting has great quality and doesn’t pull apart while I’m working with it. Also, it washes and dries up very nicely to get that crinkly quilt texture to make your quilt soft and cozy!
Backing – The fabric used for the back of the quilt.
Lots of times I’ll choose the backing for my quilt and pull in all of those colors into my quilt top!
When I made my Patchwork Potpourri scrappy quilt I used the colors in the backing fabric to choose the scrappy fabrics that I incorporated into the quilt top. This way the backing and quilt top match nicely and my brain didn’t have to work so hard making color choices, lol!!

Binding – The fabric strip used to cover and finish the raw edges of a quilt.
Seam Allowance – The amount of fabric between the stitched seam and the fabric edge, usually ¼” in quilting.
Many sewing machines come with a ¼” presser foot that has a guide for the fabric placement. This special presser foot helps maintain ¼” seams throughout your blocks and it’s a game changer for matching seams and points when you sew your blocks and quilt top together!!

Baste – Temporarily securing quilt layers together with large stitches, pins, or spray adhesive before quilting.
Fabric Terms & Cutting Basics
WOF (Width of Fabric) – The width of the fabric from selvage to selvage, typically 42”–44” for quilting cotton.
Fabric that you purchase from a quilt store is folded in half lengthwise and wrapped on a piece of cardboard called a “bolt”. The bolt measures about 21″-22″ high so it can easily be stored and displayed on shelves. Unfolded, the WOF will measure 42″-44″.
LOF (Length of Fabric) – The measurement of fabric along the grainline, from the cut edge.
Selvage – The tightly woven edge of the fabric that prevents fraying.
I like to use the selvage to help me select fabric colors to include in my quilts. The selvage will usually have dots or cute shapes of all the colors included on that piece of fabric. This is a great way to choose the colors of fabrics for the quilt top.
Sometimes I’ll choose the backing fabric for my quilt first. Then I use all the colors included in the backing fabric that are displayed within the selvage to choose the colors to use in my quilt top. It’s a fun and easy way to choose fabrics if that is something that you are struggling with.

I have a whole blog post on “How to Choose Fabrics” if you’d like to check it out!
Fat Quarter – A quarter-yard of fabric cut to measure approximately 18” x 22”.
Bias – The diagonal grain of fabric, which has the most stretch and flexibility.
Piecing & Sewing Terms
Scant ¼” Seam – A slightly less-than-¼” seam used to ensure accurate piecing.
Chain Piecing – A method of sewing multiple fabric pieces in a continuous chain to save time and thread.

Nesting Seams – Pressing seams in opposite directions so they lock together for precise piecing.
To keep seams nested when you sew pieces together you’ll want to make sure you pin at the place where the seams nest together!
Pressing vs. Ironing – Pressing means lifting and lowering the iron, while ironing moves the iron back and forth, which can stretch fabric.
When quilting, you will be pressing instead of ironing so the fabrics don’t stretch out of shape.
Right Sides Together (RST) – Placing fabric pieces with their right (printed) sides touching before sewing.
Machine Quilting & Finishing Terms
Stitch in the Ditch – Quilting along the seam line to make the stitching less visible.
Free-Motion Quilting (FMQ) – A quilting technique that allows you to stitch in any direction using a darning foot.

Echo Quilting – Stitching lines that follow the shape of a design for added texture.
Walking Foot – A sewing machine foot that evenly feeds multiple layers of fabric through the machine.
Quilt Sandwich – The three layers of a quilt (top, batting, and backing) before quilting.
Common Quilting Abbreviations & Terms
HST (Half-Square Triangle) – A quilt block made from two triangles that form a square.

QST (Quarter-Square Triangle) – A quilt block made from four triangles forming a square.

FG (Flying Geese) – A common quilting unit or block that is used frequently in quilt patterns.

Four Patch – A quilt unit or block made up of four squares sewed together.

Nine Patch – A common quilt block made from sewing nine squares together. There are three rows with three squares in each row.

WOF (Width of Fabric) – The width of the fabric from selvage to selvage.
RST (Right Sides Together) – Aligning fabric with printed sides facing each other before sewing.
LOF (Length of Fabric) – The lengthwise measurement of fabric.
Final Thoughts
Quilting is a fun and creative journey, and understanding these quilting terms for beginners will make the process even more enjoyable.
The more you sew, the more familiar these quilting pattern terms will become.
Happy quilting!