Quilting Terms and Abbreviations

It’s happened to all of us, you buy a new quilt pattern that you’re really excited to start. You open it up, and it’s like it’s written in another language. We’re here to help! We’ve put together a list of some of the most common quilting terms and abbreviations so you’ll know exactly what to do when you start a new pattern.

BOM – Block of the Month

A quilt program where you work on a quilt over a predetermined length of time and make a designated number of blocks each month.

Charm Packs or Charms

Pre-cut 5” squares of fabric, usually at least one square each of a line of fabric packaged together. They can also be called nickel squares. A charm pack will have approx. 42 pieces.

Mini Charm Pack

Pre-cut 2.5” squares of fabric from the same collection packaged together.  A mini charm pack will have approx. 42 pieces.

E2E – Edge to Edge

A type of quilting in which the quilting pattern is the same across the entirety of the quilt. It can also be called pantograph quilting.

EQ – Electric Quilt

A computer program that helps you design your own quilts.

EPP – English Paper Piecing

A method of piecing where intricate shapes and designs are created by wrapping fabric around a paper template then stitching it into a design.

FMQ – Free Motion Quilting

A method of quilting in which the feed dogs on the sewing machine are dropped and the quilt is moved under the needle to create the quilting pattern.

FE- Fat Eighth

A piece of fabric that is 9”x 21”

FQ – Fat Quarter

A piece of fabric that is 18” by 21”.

FPP – Foundation Paper Piecing

A method of piecing in which fabric is stitched to a base of paper or fabric to stabilize the quilt block, often used to increase accuracy or create precise shapes and angles.

HST – Half Square Triangles

A common quilting unit in which two 45 degree triangles are joined together on the diagonal to create a square.

Jelly Roll

Pre-cut 2½” by width of fabric strips, usually at least one strip each of a line of fabric packaged together. A jelly roll will usually have around 40-42 strips.

Honey Bun

Pre-cut collection of 1 ½” x 42” strips from the same fabric line packaged together.  A honey bun will usually have around 40-42 strips.

Layer Cake

Pre-cut 10”squares of fabric, usually at least one square each of a line of fabric packaged together.  A complete layer cake will have 42 squares.

LQS – Local Quilt Shop

Your favorite place to shop, take classes, and pet fabric aka Two Chicks Quilting.

OOP – Out of Print

A fabric that is older and not reorderable, it is no longer being printed or easily found in shops.

QAL – Quilt Along

A quilt program where a group of quilters all work on the same quilt pattern at the same rate over a predetermined length of time.

QST – Quarter Square Triangles

A common quilting unit in which four 45 degree triangles are joined together to create a square.

RST – Right Sides Together

Refers pairing fabrics with the printed sides together.

SA – Seam Allowance

This is the distance between the raw edge of your fabric and the line of stitching. In quilting, the seam allowance is ¼”.

UFO – Unfinished Object

A project you have started but haven’t finished, also called a WIP.

WIP – Works in Progress

A project you have started but haven’t finished, also called a UFO.

WOF – Width of Fabric

Generally used in cutting instructions, the width of fabric is the distance from selvedge edge to selvedge edge.

WST – Wrong Sides Together

Refers to pairing fabrics with the unprinted sides together.

Have you heard any abbreviations that caught your attention? Let us know so we can help clear up any confusion! You’ll find we frequently talk about these terms in our Tips and Tricks with Two Chicks on Tuesdays. Watch them live on our Facebook page or catch the replay on our YouTube channel!