• The most basic form of quilting is a simple geometric grid and sometimes complex tessellation, sewn either by hand or nowadays by machine. The gridwork of stitches traps air in the material, making it much warmer than a single layer of fabric would be, or even the layers separately.

• Quilting can also be used as a form of elaborate decoration, where the stitchery creates complex designs and patterns, with or without the use of colour. Designs in the original fabrics can be put together to form new patterns.

• A quilt using a single piece of fabric as a quilt top is called a whole cloth quilt.

• The process of making a quilt involves three steps: piecing, layering, and binding. Piecing is the sewing of the quilt top. Layering places the quilt's backing, batting, and top in place. The main function of quilting is to hold the three layers together. Binding completes the quilt by finishing the edges with a trim of fabric.

• While a majority of quilt tops are pieced, many are made from a single piece of fabric. Using the latter enhances the intricacy of detailed quilting.
• Quilting is very often combined with embroidery, patchwork, applique and other forms of needlework to create patchwork quilts.

Specialist quilting techniques: