The material that makes up the backing (or lining) of the quilt. This can be one piece using
the wider fabrics made for backing or it can be pieced by using regular cotton fabric with one, two or three seams.
Batting
The
material that is added between the quilt top and the backing fabric to add dimension to the quilt. Batting comes in cotton, cotton/poly
blends, wool and it is bleached or unbleached. There is dark batting made for dark quilts.
Basting
Stitching to hold the quilt
top, batting and backing together so the hand quilting can be done. Stitching across the quilt with parallel lines about 4-5 inches
apart does this or a large meander that does not cross over any other basting lines.
Binding (Front)
Binding that is sewn only
to the front of the fabric and then the customer can turn the binding to the back and hand stitch (or machine stitch).
Binding
(Comp)
Adding the final step in completing the quilt. A narrow strip of fabric (doubled) is sewn to the front then folded over the
edge of the quilt and hand or machine sewn to the backing fabric.
Echo quilting
Outline quilting that is repeated over and over
to echo and emphasize a quilt pattern or appliqué pieced pattern. Usually stitched about one quarter inch outside the pattern.
Mitered
corners
When the binding is sewn on the front of the quilt a technique is used to create mitered corners.
Muslin
Bleached or
unbleached cotton fabric that is sometimes used for backing or for quilt top backgrounds.
Sleeve
A sleeve is a long strip of
fabric (doubled) that is sewn to the top of the backing fabric (can be inserted under the binding) and hand sewn to the backing fabric
only. This is used when a quilt is planned for display in a show or when it will be hung on a rod for display in a home.
Stay
Stitching
This is stitching that is done to prevent stretching. When the outside quilt edge has some bias and could stretch you will
want to do stay stitching one-eighth or one-quarter inch from the edge of the quilt.
Squaring up
A quilt top may need to be squared
up prior to quilting. Adding borders and then trimming them to make the quilt square can square up a quilt top. A quilt can also be
squared (if it is only a little "out of square" by stretching and pinning then dampening the top and stretching it again with pins
– this is called blocking. This will ensure the quilt will hang straight.
