Fabric Glossary: Terms Starting with Q

Quarter Goods

Please see Fat Quarter.

Quilt, Quilting

A quilt is a bed covering consisting of two layers of fabric with a filling or padding that is stitched or tufted to hold all layers together. Quilting is the process of joining a minimum of three layers of fabrics together and can be used for bed coverings, wall hangings, objects, home furnishing, floor coverings, and fabrics to make garments like jackets, vests, and outerwear.

Joining techniques in quilting vary from highly elaborate designs and embellishments to basic functionality. The most widely used quilting methods are Hand quilting, Machine quilting, and Tying.

These methods are used to create hundreds of different types of quilts, including:

  1. Art Quilt

    A creative, often abstract quilt that emphasizes artistic expression over traditional patterns. It uses innovative designs, textures, and materials to create a visual art piece.

  2. Bargello Quilt

    Characterized by its flowing, wave-like patterns created by sewing strips of fabric in a repetitive sequence, producing a vibrant, flame-like effect.

  3. Crazy Patch Quilt

    Made from irregularly shaped fabric pieces sewn together without a set pattern, creating a whimsical, eclectic, and colorful appearance.

  4. Denim Quilt

    Constructed from recycled denim fabric, these quilts have a rugged, casual look with varying shades of blue and durable texture.

  5. Friendship Quilt

    Often made collaboratively, featuring blocks signed or decorated by friends, symbolizing community and shared memories.

  6. Lattice Quilt

    Features a grid or lattice pattern, often with strips of fabric crossing over each other, creating a structured, geometric design.

  7. Medallion Quilt

    Centered around a large, often intricate central motif or block, with borders radiating outward in successive layers.

  8. Memory Quilt

    Made from clothing or fabric with sentimental value, these quilts preserve memories and personal stories through their materials.

  9. One-Patch Block Quilt

    Composed of repeated single-shaped blocks (like squares or triangles), creating a uniform, often geometric pattern.

  10. Patchwork Quilt

    Made by sewing together small pieces of fabric in various shapes and colors to form a larger design, often traditional and colorful.

  11. Photo Quilt

    Incorporates printed fabric panels with photographs, blending imagery with quilting for personalized storytelling.

  12. Scrap Quilt

    Uses leftover fabric scraps from other projects, resulting in a colorful, often random and eclectic patchwork.

  13. String Quilt

    Made from narrow strips ("strings") of fabric sewn onto a foundation, creating a linear, striped effect.

  14. Trapunto Quilt

    A technique that adds extra padding to certain areas of the quilt, creating a raised, three-dimensional effect.

  15. Wall Quilt

    Designed primarily for display rather than use, often smaller and more decorative, showcasing artistic designs.

  16. Watercolor Quilt

    Uses carefully selected fabric colors and shapes to mimic the soft, blended look of watercolor paintings.

  17. Puff Quilt

    Made from small, stuffed fabric "puffs" sewn together, creating a soft, textured, and three-dimensional surface.