About Quilting Techniques

These abbreviations are used throughout the website and show guide to denote the technique used to create each individual quilt. Example: A/M means appliquéd/machine quilted.

A - Appliqué

Hand appliqué requires many hours of work to turn in raw edges and hand stitch into place creating a design for the top of the quilt. Machine appliqué is usually a zigzag stitch to hold down the raw edges but often gives quite a rigid surface.

P - Pieced - Patchwork Quilt

Made up of many fabric pieces sewn together to form a pattern. All intersections should meet perfectly. There are various methods of piecing a top whether by hand or machine. Piecing by hand requires more time than piecing by machine.

WC - Whole Cloth

The design is formed by quilting only which holds the top batting and underside together.

PP - Pre-printed Fabric (often called "cheater fabric")

These quilt panels have a particular pattern printed on a length of fabric. The maker then needs to hand or machine quilt to hold the top, batting and underside together.

E - Embroidered

The design on top is formed by embroidery. The entire design can be embroidered or sometimes emboidery is used to embelish another design.

H - Hand Quilted
M - Machine Quilted

Hand and machine quilting should enhance the design of the quilt. Thread colour should match the fabric.

Hand quilted stitches should be even and more quilting is better. 8 stitches per inch is very good. 10-12 stitches per inch is exceptional.

The use of the quilt will determine which method of quilting is preferable. Hand quilting gives a softer hand. Machine quilting tends to have a more firm feel.