Quilting Acronyms: A Beginner‑Friendly Guide

If you’ve ever read a quilt pattern and felt like it was written in another language, you’re not alone. Quilting patterns, tutorials, and online groups use a lot of acronyms to save space and time. This quilting acronyms guide will help you decode the most common abbreviations so you can follow patterns with confidence.

Whether you’re a beginner quilter or just brushing up, bookmark this page for easy reference.

Common Quilting Acronyms & Abbreviations

General Quilting Terms

• B2B – Border to Border (a continuous longarm quilting design)

• BQ – Baby Quilt

• CL – Cut Length

• COG – Center of Gravity (used in some block constructions)

• DWR – Design Wall Required

• FO – Finished Object

• FPP – Foundation Paper Piecing

• FMQ – Free‑Motion Quilting

• FT – Finished Top

• HST – Half‑Square Triangle

• IOB – Inside Out Block

• JLY – Just Like You (often used in pattern notes)

• LQS – Local Quilt Shop

• LAQ – Longarm Quilting

• LOF – Length of Fabric

• QAL – Quilt Along

• QS – Quilt Sandwich

• RST – Right Sides Together

• SA – Seam Allowance

• SS – Straight Stitch

• ST – Square Triangle

• TB – Template Block

• TG – Thread Guide

• TOT – Turn of the Thread

• WOF – Width of Fabric

• YDS – Yards

Cutting & Piecing Acronyms

• 2½" Strips / Jelly Roll (JR) – Pre‑cut fabric strips measuring 2½ inches wide

• 5" Squares / Charm Pack (CP) – Pre‑cut 5‑inch squares

• 10" Squares / Layer Cake (LC) – Pre‑cut 10‑inch squares

• FQ – Fat Quarter (18" × 22")

• F8 – Fat Eighth

• SC – Strip Cutting

• CC – Chain Piecing

Quilt Construction & Finishing Acronyms

• B&T – Batting and Top

• BS – Backing Size

• QOV – Quilting Over View

• SID – Stitch in the Ditch

• T&P – Trim and Press

• WIP – Work in Progress

• UFO – Unfinished Object (we all have them!)

Longarm Quilting Acronyms

• B2B – Border to Border quilting design

• E2E – Edge to Edge quilting

• PB – Pantograph

• SP – Stitch in Place

• QMP – Quilting Motif Placement

• TAT – Turnaround Time

Online & Community Acronyms

• IMO – In My Opinion

• TBH – To Be Honest

• FYI – For Your Information

• DM – Direct Message

These show up often in quilting forums, Facebook groups, and pattern notes.

Why Quilting Acronyms Matter

Understanding quilting acronyms makes it easier to:

• Read and follow quilt patterns

• Communicate with other quilters

• Order longarm quilting services

• Shop confidently for fabric and supplies

Once you learn the most common abbreviations, quilting instructions become much less intimidating.

Final Thoughts

Quilting acronyms may seem confusing at first, but they quickly become second nature. Keep this guide handy, and don’t hesitate to refer back as you work through new patterns and projects.

Have an acronym you see often that isn’t listed here? Add it to your notes or let it become part of your quilting vocabulary over time — just like your favorite blocks and techniques.

Happy quilting! 🧵✨