Quilting Terms, Acronyms, Abbreviations and How to Make Sense of It All!

So, you picked up your very first quilt pattern, full of excitement… only to realize it feels like a secret code. Wait! What in the world is “WOF”? Didn’t someone say this was supposed to be fun and easy?

Don’t worry! You’re not alone! Quilt patterns come with their own language, and for new quilters, all those abbreviations and strange phrases can feel like learning a foreign tongue. But once you crack the code, it all starts to click. Here’s a handy glossary to help you get comfortable and confident reading your first pattern.

Common Quilting Terms & What They Mean

WOF – Width of Fabric
This is the measurement from one selvedge edge to the other, typically 42″–44″ wide on quilting cotton. You’ll see this used a lot in cutting instructions.

Selvedge
The tightly woven edge of the fabric that prevents fraying. It often includes the designer’s name and color dots. It’s generally trimmed off – but don’t toss it! You can save selvedges for fun projects like pincushions, zipper pouches, or even a selvedge quilt.

Fat Quarter (FQ)
A popular pre-cut measuring 18” x 22”. It gives you a wider, squarer piece than a standard quarter yard (which is 9” x WOF). Perfect for cutting larger shapes.

Here are two examples of beautiful fat quarter bundles. You can find these and other fat quarters on Missouri Star Quilt Co. or just click here!

Fat Eighth (FE)
Half a fat quarter, or 9” x 22”. These smaller cuts are great when you need just a little of a lot of different fabrics.

Layer Cake
A stack of 10” squares, usually 40 per pack, all coordinating from the same fabric collection. Easy to work with and perfect for quick quilts.

These two layer cakes, Kaffe Fassett on the left and Orchard & Grove on the right, can be found on Missouri Star Quilt Co., along with many others. Click here to shop!

Jelly Roll
Pre-cut strips measuring 2½” x WOF. Like layer cakes, these come from a matching collection and are super versatile.

Charm Pack
Another favorite! This is a bundle of 5” x 5” squares, often 42 per pack. They’re great for beginner-friendly patterns or sampler quilts.

Honey Bun
Like a Jelly Roll, but thinner. These pre-cuts are 1½” x WOF and add sweet detail to your quilting projects.

Techniques & Tools You’ll See in Patterns

Fusible Interfacing
A material that is ironed onto fabric to add strength, commonly used in appliqué or bag making.

Appliqué
A technique where a shape is cut from one fabric and sewn onto another. It can be stitched by hand or machine.

Fussy Cut
Cutting a specific motif or image from your fabric so it’s perfectly centered in your block. A must if you want that adorable kitten face front and center. Click here to read more about fussy cutting!

HST – Half-Square Triangle
A square made up of two right-angle triangles. They’re building blocks for tons of quilt designs.

QST – Quarter-Square Triangle
Another versatile block, made by cutting squares into four triangles. Slightly trickier than HSTs but opens up new design possibilities.

RST – Right Sides Together
A sewing instruction telling you to place the “pretty” sides of the fabric facing each other before sewing.

Bias
Refers to fabric cut at a 45-degree angle to the straight grain. It has more stretch and flexibility – great for binding curves.

Binding
The final step! Binding is the fabric strip that wraps around the edges of your quilt to finish it off neatly.

Chain Piecing
A time-saving sewing method where you continuously sew pieces without cutting the thread between them. It’s efficient and kind of satisfying.

QAYG – Quilt As You Go
This clever technique allows you to quilt individual blocks with backing and batting, then join them together – meaning your quilt is already quilted as you assemble!

Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP)
A precision technique where you sew fabric pieces onto a paper pattern. The results are incredibly accurate, especially for intricate designs.

Free Motion Quilting (FMQ)
A creative quilting method where you guide the stitching freely, drawing your design with the needle. It’s like doodling with thread!

Feed Dogs
The small teeth under your needle plate that help move fabric while sewing. You’ll lower these when doing FMQ.

¼” Seam
The gold standard in quilting. Most quilt patterns use a ¼” seam allowance, and having an accurate one is essential for everything to line up. Click here to learn how to perfect your 1/4″ seam!

“Will finish at…”
This tells you the size your block will be once it’s sewn into the quilt – seam allowance not included.

Bonus Tips for Beginners

• Highlight & Annotate: Don’t be afraid to write on your pattern! Circle measurements, underline key instructions, and jot down notes.
• Use Sticky Notes or Tabs: Mark your place or use color-coded tabs for different sections – cutting, assembly, finishing.
• Test First: If you’re unsure about a new technique (like HSTs or appliqué), try it on scrap fabric before diving into your good stuff.
• Join a Quilting Group or Class: Nothing beats having a buddy to help you decode your pattern or cheer you on!

You’ve Got This!

Every quilter starts out exactly where you are – puzzling over strange acronyms and mysterious diagrams. Give yourself grace and take it one step at a time. With a little patience and this cheat sheet by your side, you’ll be finishing your first quilt before you know it. And soon? You’ll be tossing around terms like “QAYG” and “FMQ” like a seasoned pro.

Happy quilting!

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