Welcome to the Cliffdale Quilt Class
What is a Quilt?
A quilt consists of three layers; the quilt top (which is the right side displaying the pattern
design), the batting or filling in the middle, and the backing on the bottom. The layers are
held together by some sort of stitching.
A few definitions:
Appliqué: the technique of applying a shaped piece of fabric, such as a flower or a
heart, to a larger piece of contrasting or background fabric. The shaped pieces can be
attached by machine or by hand.
Batting: Batting is the filling inside the quilt. Batting is defined by the “loft” or the
thickness it has, and is usually described as light, medium or high loft. Battings can be
all polyester, a blend of polyester and cotton (usually 80% cotton-20% polyester), all
cotton, all wool, and some battings are even made with silk.
Binding: Usually a folded strip of fabric that encases the edges of the quilt
Block: A block is a square of pieced or appliquéd patchwork, also called a square,
which is put together with other blocks to make a quilt.
Border: A length of fabric that frames the outside edge of the quilt top. Borders can be
as simple as solid strips of fabric, or complex with intricate patterns and appliqués.
Free Motion Quilting: A type of machine quilting that is done with a darning or quilting
foot and the feed dogs lowered or covered. Lowering the feed dogs allows the quilter to
move the fabric in any direction she (or he) chooses.
Fusible web: A sheet of glue that is heat activated. When you place the web between
your shaped fabric and the background fabric and apply heat with your iron, the glue
melts and fuses the layers together.
Grain: the weave of the fabric. “Along the grain” is lengthwise, “across the grain” is
widthwise, and “on the bias” is the diagonal. The least amount of stretch or “give” in the
fabric is along the grain; the most “give” is on the bias.
Lattice: A strip of fabric that frames each block in a quilt; also called “sashing.”
Piecing: the act of cutting fabric out shapes (or patches) and sewing them together.
Pressing: Press the pieces by lifting the iron, not sliding it. Set the stitches by pressing
the piece while closed, then open it, and press the seam allowance to one side.
Selvedge: the clean finished edge that runs along the length of your fabric.
Stitching in the Ditch: A machine quilting technique, usually using a walking foot,
where the stitches are buried in the seam, or the ditch, between two patches.
Tying: Tied quilts have a single stitch that goes through all three layers and is tied in a
knot on one side, either the back or front. Usually there’s a stitch about every 3-4”.
Width of fabric (WOF): across the width of the fabric from selvedge to selvedge.
Standard Quilt Sizes Crib Twin Double Queen King
Mattress Size 27 x 52 39 x 75 54 x 75 60 x 80 76 x 80
Quilt Used With Dust Ruffle 30 x 45 63 x 87 78 x 87 84 x 92 100 x 92
Batting Size 45 x 60 72 x 90 81 x 96 90 x 108 120 x 120
Quilt to Cover Box Spring 36 x 54 71 x 101 86 x 101 92 x 106 108 x 106
Batting Size 45 x 60 81 x 96 90 x 108 120 x 120 120 x 120
Cliffdale Regional Library . 6882 Cliffdale Road 1
Fayetteville, NC . 910-864-3800
Basic equipment required:
1. Sharp fabric scissors
2. Mechanical pencil or pencil with a very sharp point
3. Seam Ripper
4. Dressmaker pins
5. Sewing needles
6. Thread in a neutral color; light gray or cream. 100% cotton is best.
7. Clear acrylic ruler; one that is 6” by 12” is the easiest to use
8. If you plan to cut with a rotary cutter, you’ll need one of those, along with a
cutting or self-healing mat. The 45 mm cutter is the standard size, and a mat that
is at least 11” by 17” will work fine.
9. If machine piecing, you’ll need a sewing machine in good working order.
10. Purchase the correct amount and type of fabric for the pattern you have chosen.
11. Prepare your fabric by washing and drying it on medium heat, then pressing it.
The Parts of a Sewing Machine
Your machine may look somewhat
different, but all machines are
basically the same, and have
essentially the same parts and
functions. Get out your Owner’s
Manual and become familiar with
your machine. If you do not have or
cannot find your manual, often you
can order one or download it from
the internet.
Accessories:
1. Use good sewing machine
needles. Worn needles result in
broken threads and skipped stitches.
For most quilting projects, a sharp or
universal needle, size 12/80 is
appropriate. Change the needle after
each project, or about every 10 hours of use. If you strike a pin with the needle,
you often end up a burr on the end of the needle, and it begins to make a
clumping sound. When you hear this noise, change the needle.
2. Bobbins are inserted into the lower part of your machine, and are essentially
small spools of thread. Stitches are made when the upper thread locks with the
lower thread. Make sure you use the correct size and style bobbin for your
machine.
3. Every machine comes with standard presser feet. These typically include a
general purpose foot, a zipper foot, an open toe foot, and a darning foot. For
machine piecing, it’s really helpful to have a ¼” piecing foot. For machine quilting,
a walking foot is very useful.
4. Take care of your machine by following the instructions in the manual regarding
cleaning and oiling. Usually, you oil all moving parts. You may wish to have your
machine professionally serviced on a yearly basis.
Cliffdale Regional Library . 6882 Cliffdale Road 2
Fayetteville, NC . 910-864-3800