You have always wanted to take up quilting. It seems like a peaceful hobby and a good chance to make some lasting family memories, unlike crocheting pot holders like your Aunt Gladys used to do. But now that you have begun to look into getting started it becomes clear that quilting is actually a lot more complicated than you originally thought, and the idea is becoming a little overwhelming. Aside from learning the actual sewing skills that you will need to become a successful quilter, you also are faced with the necessity of learning several new terms. Otherwise, you won't be able to understand quilting lessons or tips that others give you if you aren't up on the lingo. Understanding the language of quilting will make a big difference in how well you are able to move forward with your new hobby. For example, "sashing" refers to the way in which strips of fabric are sewn between blocks to connect them. The effect is a little like lattice work. As you are looking for other quilting tips, "sashing" is a term that you are likely to run across several times. A "burn test" sounds misplaced among quilting terms, but it is actually a test that is done in order to determine what type of material you are dealing with. Cotton and synthetic fibers burn differently, and thus burning a small section of your fabric will tell you how to treat the material. Beginners would do well to keep a notebook handy and jot down unfamiliar terms and definitions as you uncover them. This way when you come across instructions that are using quilting terms, you will be able to decipher them and improve your quilting techniques.
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