Quilt Terminology
Quilt Layout
Describes the general design of the quilt top, how the shapes or blocks are arranged and oriented. Examples include:
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One Shape
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One Pieced Unit
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Straight Uniform Block Grid
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Diagonal Uniform Block Grid
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Multi-Block Horizontal Row Layout
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Multi-Block Vertical Row Layout
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Multi-Block Medallion Layout
You can further describe a quilt by noting the size of the blocks, the borders, and the setting.
Body
The center main area of the quilt
Border
The area that surrounds the body of the quilt
Block
4 or more shapes and/or pieced units sewn into a distinct pattern or geometric design.
Pieced Unit
2 or more shapes sewn into a sewable shape, usually a square, rectangle, or triangle.
Shape (piece)
An individual piece with a distinct outline such as a polygon (triangle, square, rectangle, parallelogram, rhombus, pentagon, hexagon, octagon) or a curved shape (circle, arc, segment, wedge, etc.)
Setting
Includes all the pieces around the blocks. Setting pieces include sashing, cornerstones, spacers, un-pieced blocks, corner triangles, and side triangles.
Sashing
Setting rectangles, either pieced or un-pieced, that surrounds blocks, either fully or partially, in a grid layout.
Cornerstone or Corner
Setting squares, either pieced or un-pieced, that connect the sashing between blocks in a grid layout.
Spacer
Setting rectangle located between blocks, at the end of rows, or between rows.
Focus Block
The center block, often larger than the rest, in a medallion layout.
Side Triangle
Setting triangle located around the edges of a diagonal grid layout.
Corner Triangle
Setting triangle located around the corners of a diagonal grid layout.
Seam Allowance
The amount of fabric that is added to the perimeter of a shape to allow for a strong seam. The universal standard is 1/4 inch. The shape will be the correct size in the quilt if the quilt maker sews just outside the shape in the 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Compound Shape
More than 1 shape that has been joined at a seam allowance to be cut as one piece.
Layout: Diagonal Uniform Block Grid