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--Charles Handy

Glossary of Quilting Terms, continued...

[Click underlined terms to view our helpful Anatomy of a Quilt page.]

Quilt Top
The completed, decorative top portion of a quilt after all squares have been sewn together and borders added.

'Rag' Quilts
Using either appliqué or patchwork techniques, quilt pieces are sewn to firmly secure the design, yet strategic edges are left unstitched to fray, giving a soft, 'raggy' effect.

Sampler Quilt
A quilt top in which each block is a different design or style.

Sashing
The strips of fabric that are sewn between adjacent blocks in a quilt top.  

Scrap Quilt
Typically, a quilt made up of many different fabrics. Commonly "scraps" of fabric left over from other projects or usable remnants of clothing.  

Signature Quilt
A quilt in which ‘blank’ quilt blocks can be signed by many different individuals and  special messages added, using washable marking pens.

Sizes of Quilts
The pattern and layout (the number of blocks across and down, plus borders and binding) will determine the exact measurements of a quilt. 

The following is a guide to standard bed measurements:

*Important Note on Quilt Sizes as Used by Legacy Quilts*

The above referenced sizes refer only to the top of standard sized mattresses.  Legacy Quilts’ creations are designed without overhang (i.e. if used as a bed cover, they cover only the top of the bed). 

Overhang Sizing
Overhang refers to the ‘extra’ fabric/quilt that extends over the edge of a standard sized mattress.  It includes allowances for ‘drop’ to the floor and ‘pillowtuck’, if desired. 

References are typically made to “comforter”, “coverlet” and “bedspread” sizes .   

Should overhang be required on any quilt, it can be easily added using the following guidelines: 

Comforter dimensions include a 12” drop on sides and bottom of the quilt.  No extra length is added for pillows.  A comforter is designed for use with a dust ruffle and pillow shams.

Coverlet dimensions include a 16” drop on sides and bottom, and 10” of extra length for a pillow tuck.  A coverlet does not reach the floor, but it does cover the mattress and box springs, making a dust ruffle unnecessary.

Bedspread dimensions include a 20 ½” drop on sides and bottom, and a 10 ½” length for a pillow tuck.   The bedspread reaches completely to the floor on three sides of the bed.

*If overhang is required, please refer to the desired Size of Quilt  (i.e. Queen), AND the amount of overhang (i.e. ‘Comforter’, ‘Coverlet’ or ‘Bedspread’) to indicate the preferred finished quilt size.  

Overhang yardage will be calculated into the finished quilt size and priced accordingly. 

Sleeve
A tube of fabric sewn to the top edge of the back of a quilt to slide a dowel through for hanging the quilt. (also Hanging Sleeve) 

Stained Glass Quilt
A style of quilting meant to resemble a stained glass window pane. Black fabric strips are appliquéd over the edges of fabric sections designed to look like glass, imitating the leading in real Stained Glass windows.

Throw
A small, lap-sized quilt measuring 36”x 66”.  (see also Lap Size) 

Tied Quilt
A traditional method of securing the three quilt layers together with knotted ties at intervals (usually 3-5”) across the quilt.  Can be used in conjunction with, or as a replacement for, machine quilting.  (see also Quilting) 

Top
Short name for the quilt top.  

Twin Size
A twin size mattress is 40"x75".  

Wall Quilt or Wall Hanging
A quilted piece designed and constructed to be hung on a wall for decoration. Can contain specialty fabrics and embellishments that are not meant to be washed or undergo strain or wear.  

*ANY SIZE OR TYPE of quilt can be made into a wallhanging by simply adding a hanging sleeve to the back, or for large quilts, draping them over a wall-mounted display dowel.    

Watercolor Quilt
A quilt made up of many small squares (usually only 1 or 2" in size), sewn to give the overall impression of an Impressionistic Painting. Also called Colorwash Quilts.

Return to Previous Quilt Terms Page

Acknowledgements
Definitions compiled from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to:  Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. The Perfect Patchwork Primer, written by Beth Gutcheon; Penguin Books Ltd; 1982.  The Quilter's How-To Dictionary, written by Mari Shirer; Leman Publications, Inc.; 1991.

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