Quilting has an acronym language all its own. If we have a WHIMM or a NESTY, and don’t have a QB, we go on a FART in order to create SEX and SABLE or maybe to send a Squishy. We gather TUS and cut fabric on the WOF or SOG so we can use BOB, (or maybe we FPP or SnW) then we sew it on a FW or DSM using a perfect SA. We might WIWMI or set it aside as a UFO, a PhD or a PIG. We tell our friends that we HSY, and debate QAYG or LAQ. The truth is that it is probably a DQ or a WIP, stalled by our FOB, making us fear WWIT – is this a WOMBAT? In the end, though, we say TGIF and go on to our HIPS. At all cost, we must avoid our BDNQ.
BDNQ = Bad Day, Not Quilting
BOB = Block on Board from Accuquilt
BOM = Block of the Month
BSK = Basic Sewing Kit
DQ = Dragon Quilt (A quilted that is dragged many places to be finished)
DSM = Domestic Sewing Machine
FART = Fabric Acquisition Road Trip
FMQ = Free Motion Quilting
FOB = Fear of Binding (thanks, KayEllen!)
FPP = Foundation Paper Piecing
FQ = Fat Quarter
FW = Featherweight
HIPS = Hundreds of Ideas Piling Skyward (thanks, Mavis!)
HST = Half-Square Triangle
HSY = Haven’t Started Yet
LAQ= Long Arm Quilter
LQS = Local Quilt Shop
MAQ = Mid-Arm Quilter
NESTY = Not Even Started Yet
OBW = One Block Wonder
PFC = Professional Fabric Collector
PhD = Projects half Done
PIGS = Projects in Grocery Sacks
PIPS = Projects in Pizza Boxes
PP = Paper Piecing
QAL = Quilt Along
QAYG = Quilt as You Go
QST = Quarter Square Triangle
RR = Round Robin
RST = Right Sides Together
SA = Seam Allowance
SABLE = Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy
SEX = Stash Enhancing eXperience (or eXcursion)
SID = Stitch in the Ditch
SnW = Stack n Whack
SOG = Straight of Grain
SQUID = Sewing a quilt until I die AKA Dragon Quilt
Squishy = envelopes full of fabric sent by mail
STASH = Special Treasures All Secretly Hidden
TAG = Touch and Go
TGIF = Thank God It’s Finished!
TOT = Tone-on-Tone
TUS = The Usual Suspects – (see below)
UFO = UnFinished Object
WHIMM = Works Hidden In My Mind
WIP = Work In Progress
WISP = Work In Slow Progress
WIWMI = Wish it would make itself
WOF = Width of Fabric
WOMBAT = Waste of Money, Batting, and Time
WOW = White On White
WWIT = What was I thinking?
The Usual Suspects
AKA
a Quilt Class or Retreat Supply List
A sewing machine in good working order complete with power cord and foot pedal, extra prewound bobbins, extra machine needles, sewing machine extension table (if you use one), 1/4″ foot and walking foot if you have one, cleaning tools (oil, Q-tips, lint brush), rubber door stops to prop your machine or table toward you, OTT light and extra light bulb for your machine. Bring your manual, too.
Check with your teacher to find out if you need a specialty sewing machine needle or foot.
Basic sewing kit: extra thread (gray is a good neutral color), pins, scissors or snips, seam ripper, tape measure, sewing gauge, hand sewing needles (betweens in size 9 or 10 are usually good), needle threader, thimble, wonder clips, fabric marking pencil, paper marking pencil or pen, pencil sharpener, paper for note-taking, paper lunch bag for and masking tape (or a Bitty Buddy) for cleanup.
Rotary cutter, extra blade, ruler, good-sized mat, your favorite ruler(s).
Oliso Smart Iron, ironing mat, Best Press, and an extension cord or power strip.
If you are going to be using fusible, don’t forget the pressing sheet and some used dryer sheets to rub on your iron to get rid of stray glue.
Pillow to sit on, a bottle of water, camera, and chocolate.
Don’t forget your glasses!
Last but most important – bring an open mind and a willingness to learn something new.
Additional items for retreat classes
Bring extra fabric. Don’t limit yourself to the fabric for the project. You may make a miscut, or you may see a new technique or idea that you want to try.
Extra rulers in case yours breaks, or you want to try something new. Bring at least one long one and one square one.
Bring an extra sewing machine if you have one.
Bring extra clothes in case you get snowed in.
Put your car keys on a lanyard and don’t forget where you put them.
Wine, chocolate, or other gifts for the hostess (or just to share.)
Have another tip to offer? Send it to me or reply below and I will add it here.
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