Quilting Acronyms

Quilters use a variety of acronyms to communicate more efficiently and share information about their projects and techniques. Here are some common quilting acronyms used when talking quilts.

1. UFO: Unfinished Object. Refers to a quilting project that has been started but not completed.
2. WIP: Work in Progress. A project that is currently being worked on but has not been finished.
3. HST: Half-Square Triangle. A square made by sewing two triangles together along their hypotenuse.
4. QST: Quarter-Square Triangle. A square made by sewing four triangles together to create a square with smaller triangles in each corner.
5. FMQ: Free-Motion Quilting. A technique where the quilter moves the fabric freely under the needle to create intricate quilting designs.
6. FPP: Foundation Paper Piecing. A quilting technique where fabric is sewn onto a paper or foundation template.
7. EPP: English paper Paper Piecing. A quilting technique where fabric wrapped around a card stock or paper and then sewn together by hand through the edges of the shape.
8. RST: Right Sides Together. Refers to aligning the right sides of two pieces of fabric before sewing.
9. WOF: Width of Fabric. The measurement from one selvage edge to the other, typically around 42 inches for quilting cotton.
10. BOM: Block of the Month. Where a block or pattern is released each month over the course of year to create a quilt.
11. WST: Wrong Sides Together. Refers to aligning the wrong sides of two pieces of fabric before sewing.
12. LAQ: Longarm Quilting. Quilting done using a specialized longarm quilting machine.
13. PHD: Projects Half Done. An alternative to WIP or UFO
14. LOF: Length of Fabric. The measurement from the selvage edge to the cut end of the fabric.
15. QAYG: Quilt As You Go. A technique where quilt blocks are individually quilted and then assembled.
16. WOMBAT: Waste Of Money, Batting, and Time. A humorous acronym quilters use when a project doesn't turn out as expected.
17. FQ: Fat Quarter. A quarter-yard piece of fabric, approximately 18 x 22 inches. These are a bit larger when using the metric system (20 x 22 inch)
18. FE: Fat Eighth. Half a fat quarter, approximately 9 x 22 inch
19. SABLE:  Stash acquisition beyond life expectancy
20. LQS: Local quilt shop. A brick and mortar shop selling patchwork fabrics and supplies.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Let me know if I have missed any other quilting acronyms!

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