Quilters' Terminology
What does "UFO" stand for?
Unfinished Object — a project that hasn't been completed yet.
What tool does every quilter HATE to use?
Seam ripper
What is a "retreat" in the quilting world?
A dedicated getaway — usually one to several days — where quilters gather to sew, learn, and socialize away from home.
What month is "National Quilting Month?"
March
What is the Log Cabin quilt block?
The Log Cabin block is one of the most iconic quilt patterns, made of strips of fabric sewn around a central square.
What is a "quilt sandwich"?
The three layers of a quilt: the quilt top, batting (middle layer), and backing fabric.
What is the purpose of a thimble?
A thimble is a small cap worn on the fingertip to protect it from being pricked by a needle when hand sewing — especially useful during quilting, where pushing a needle through multiple layers is common.
What common retreat activity helps quilters learn new techniques while socializing?
A block swap or mystery quilt along, where participants follow clues to complete a quilt without knowing the final design until the end.
What role did quilts allegedly play in the Underground Railroad?
A popular theory, widely spread in the 1990s, suggested that quilts with specific patterns were hung outside homes as coded signals to guide enslaved people along the Underground Railroad.
What is the Double Wedding Ring pattern?
The Double Wedding Ring pattern features interlocking curved rings made from small fabric pieces, symbolizing love and unity.
It became one of the most beloved American quilt patterns during the 1930s Depression era, when quilters used fabric scraps creatively to make something beautiful out of very little.
What is a "fat quarter"?
A quarter-yard of fabric cut to measure approximately 18" x 22" instead of the standard 9" x 44".
What is a quilting ruler, and what material is it typically made from?
A quilting ruler is a straight-edged measuring guide used with a rotary cutter to make accurate cuts. It is typically made from clear acrylic so the fabric underneath remains visible, and it is marked with a grid of measurements and angles.
What were "sewing guilds?"
These were organized groups of skilled craftspeople — weavers, embroiderers, and tailors — who gathered to maintain standards, share knowledge, and support one another, laying the groundwork for organized group sewing traditions.
When approximately was the earliest known surviving European quilt made?
The Tristan Quilt, also known as the Sicilian Quilt, is one of the oldest surviving European quilts. Made in Sicily around 1360–1400 AD, it depicts scenes from the legend of Tristan and Isolde and is now housed in museums in Florence and London.
Where does the Flying Geese pattern get its name?
The Flying Geese pattern — made of triangles arranged in a row with one large triangle pointing in the same direction — mimics the V-formation of geese flying in migration
What is "stash busting"?
Using up fabric from one's existing collection rather than buying new fabric.
What is the function of a seam gauge?
A seam gauge is a small, adjustable ruler — usually 6 inches long with a sliding marker — used to measure consistent seam allowances, hems, and spacing while sewing.
What was the year of the first official multi-day sewing retreat?
1985 in Vashon Island, Washington
When was the American Quilter's Society (AQS) founded?
he American Quilter's Society was founded in 1984 in Paducah, Kentucky.
What is the Lone Star (or Star of Bethlehem) pattern, and what makes it technically challenging?
he Lone Star features eight large diamond-shaped points radiating from the center to form a single large star. It is considered one of the most technically demanding patterns because all eight diamond points must meet precisely in the center — requiring extremely accurate cutting and piecing to avoid puckering or gaps.
What does BOM stand for in quilting?
Block of the Month — a program where quilters receive or make one new quilt block each month.
What is a needle threader, and why is it especially useful at sewing retreats?
A needle threader is a small wire tool that helps pass thread through the eye of a needle easily. It's especially handy at retreats where sewing sessions are long and eyes can tire — or for anyone who finds threading needles difficult.
What is the early American tradition considered the forerunner of today's sewing and quilting retreats?
The "quilting bee" — a community gathering where neighbors came together to complete a quilt, combining practical work with socializing. These were common throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.
About how old is the art of quilting?
Quilting dates back at least 5,000 years. Some of the earliest known examples were found in ancient Egypt and Central Asia — including a quilted floor covering discovered in a Mongolian cave estimated to be from around 100 BC.
What is the Irish Chain pattern?
he Irish Chain pattern features a diagonal chain of squares crossing the quilt surface, typically in two contrasting colors.