Encyclopedia

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Sa Sc Se Sh Si Sl Sq St Su Sw

Shade

The navy and rust colors in this Pinwheel block are shades of blue and red. The light blue color is a tint of blue.

    A shade is a color that has been blended with black or a darker color. Navy is a shade of blue.

Sharps Needles

Sharps needles are a type of needle that is used in applique. The shaft is usually longer than between needles (used for hand quilting). Sharps needles come in different sizes. These sizes refer to the eye of the needle. The larger the number, the smaller the eye. These size 11 Sharps needles have a very small… Continue reading Sharps Needles

Sizing

fabric sizing - click to enlarge -

Fabric Sizing is like spray starch but not as stiff. You can buy it at the grocery store in the laundry detergent aisle or purchase a can from Amazon, click here. Some people call it “Magic in a Can”. If your block is not the proper size or if it is distorted often a squirt… Continue reading Sizing

Squaring Up

Squaring Up refers to the process of pressing, blocking and/or trimming the four corners and sides of a block or quilt.  Each corner must be at a 90 degree angle. View the video to see how to square up a small patchwork piece. In the video below, you will see how to square up a… Continue reading Squaring Up

Stabilizer

A fabric stabilizer ‘stabilizes your sewing piece’. It can be made from paper (I prefer tissue paper or typing paper) or fabric. After using the stabilizer (stitching through it), some stabilizers will disappear when sprayed with water. Other stabilizers must be torn away. If your project requires a stabilizer, try out some of the different… Continue reading Stabilizer

Stash

fabric stash - click image to enlarge -

    A quilter’s stash refers to all of her/his fabric. Most quilters live by the motto that you can never have enough fabric in your stash. Your fabric stash can be arranged on shelves by color to make it easier to find the fabric you are looking for.  Sometimes a quilter’s stash is also… Continue reading Stash

Stencils

Quilting Stencils

    Stencils are patterns that can be used to mark a quilt top for quilting.  There are many types on the market or you can make your own.  Most are made from plastic as this lasts longer than cardboard. When choosing a stencil you need to think about the size of your quilt.  For… Continue reading Stencils

Stilettos

Stilettos - click to enlarge -

Stilettos are handy tools for quilters. They can help to hold layers of fabric together when sewing on the machine.  Many quilters use them as an extension of their hand. I find the stiletto most useful when sewing bulky seams as it can hold everything in place all the way to the needle.  Check out… Continue reading Stilettos

Stippling

Stippling is a quilting technique that can give texture to your quilt. It can be machine quilted or hand quilted. The design produced from stippling looks like a small meandering line.  Actually, the term stippling is used interchangeably with the term meandering. I learned that the difference between the two terms has to do with… Continue reading Stippling

Stitch In The Ditch

Stitch in the ditch refers to stitching directly in the seam when machine quilting the top. In the photo below red thread was used to help you see the stitching. I only stiched across the horizontal seam. Usually people who stitch in the ditch do not want their stitching to show so they use a… Continue reading Stitch In The Ditch

Stitches

Larger straight stitches decorate the pot holder. Smaller stitches were used for the meandering in the quilt's background areas.

    Depending on your project the quilting stitches used will vary. Generally speaking a quilter will use a regular stitch length for machine piecing. I like to use a longer stitch length when machine quilting straight lines but this is your personal preference.  I will use a smaller stitch length when quilting in smaller… Continue reading Stitches

Straight of Grain

straight of grain - click image to enlarge -

Straight of grain refers to the weave of the fabric. See Cross Grain  

String Piecing

String piecing refers to a sewing technique where scraps of fabrics are sewn together into sections. The scraps can be any size or color.  Shapes (rectangles, triangles, circles, etc.) are then cut out of these sections. These shapes can be sewn together in a traditional pattern or into a free form/crazy quilt. Watch the video… Continue reading String Piecing

Strip Piecing

4 Patch blocks made from strip piecing.

  Strip piecing is a quick sewing and rotary cutting technique. Long strips of fabric are cut using a rotary cutter. They are sewn together and then cut into smaller units. These smaller units are then sewn together again to form traditional quilts. Strip piecing is different from string piecing as it has more structure.… Continue reading Strip Piecing

Summer Quilt

Summer Quilt

A summer quilt is a lightweight quilt that just has a top and a back.  There’s no batting in between the layers.  Beginner quilters might like to try making a small summer quilt with ties before tackling a regular quilt with hand or machine quilting. In the first video, you’ll see how to make a… Continue reading Summer Quilt

Swatch

Swatches can be scraps of fabric, sections of the selvage, or packets from fabric companies.

    A swatch refers to a sample piece of fabric that helps you choose fabrics for your project.  Any scrap of fabric will do.  (Notice the random cut green and lavender swatches.)  Fabric companies sometimes hand out sample swatches of a fabric line like the blue one shown in the photo.  I also like… Continue reading Swatch