Quilting is an art, with specialized language. The crafter learns to follow directions given in quilting shorthand. As you learn the language of "quilt," you’ll quickly learn how to attach pieces, finish the quilt top, make the 3-layer sandwich, quilt and finish the project.

The quilter first chooses a pattern. She selects fabrics, coordinating colors and textures. She might English piece the quilt, which employs medium weight paper the size of the finished patch. She bastes fabric over the paper, placing patches face to face and joins using the overcast stitch.

She could applique, attaching shapes to a background block with a blind stitch, with small close stitches. The crafter might even reverse applique, cutting away the top layer to expose the under layer. To define an area, the quilter might use trapunto, stuffing between layers of the quilt to “puff up” the shape. Obviously, not all techniques would be used on a single project, but the quilter needs to know how to perform each operation and the effect each application has.

Practice is needed to correctly sew the various stitches, which could be specified as a blind stitch, cross-hatch, overhand stitch, or a buttonhole stitch, or to patchwork, which is sewing several small pieces together. Once the top is finished, the quilter makes the sandwich (placing the backing, batting and top together and basting), and decides what design to quilt.

The real master quilters are interested in the quilting process itself. Is it hand or machine quilted? How was it marked and quilted? Maybe they were outline quilted, which follows the applique design, or stipple quilted, which moves in meandering lines. Quilters might even “stitch in the ditch,” which means on seam lines so that stitches are nearly invisible. Crafters frequently turn into “quiltaholics” and speak “quilt” like a native!