A Guide to Quilting Styles and Types

While there are many different ways to quilt a quilt, the type of quilting done can be categorized into three main quilting styles. ZJ Humbach shares what these quilting styles are and shows examples of each.

Quilting Styles

ZJ explains that quilting can be categorized into three main quilting styles — pantograph, free-motion and custom. A pantograph is an all-over design on a quilt. This can be done using a computerized long-arm machine or by following a template. This type of quilting allows you to repeat a certain design or pattern over the entire quilt. Some people like this style of quilting because it is considered easier to do and is also generally less expensive if you are having a quilt quilted by someone else.

The next type of quilting that ZJ shares is free-motion quilting. This can be done on either a long-arm quilting machine or on a standard sewing machine and can be any number of different patterns and designs. Free-motion quilting is sometimes referred to as “drawing” on your quilt, as the same design principles apply. The person doing the free-motion quilting is in charge of where and how the stitches are placed. This type of quilting can be used to really highlight the pattern of a quilt as the quilting can be done around certain pieced elements or done only in the background of a design as fill.

The last type of quilting ZJ talks about is custom quilting. She explains that this is the most expensive type of quilting to ask for if you are sending a quilt out to be quilted because it has the most detail. Custom quilting generally has different motifs quilted in different areas of a quilt meant to highlight or compliment the overall design of the quilt.