Definition Please
 

I know what a UFO and a WIP are, but was is a flimsy? Thank you

top is done, but batting and backing have not been added yet. Often we are anxious to share photo of our quilts before they go to the long armers and we call them flimseys. They are not old enough or neglected enough to be called UFO. They are not WIP because our work is done, only the long armers is left to do. Not a perfect definition, but because we are loose with words, it is close.

One of those terms that has always ( rubbed me the wrong way) I don't make flimsy quilt tops.....but, for what ever reason some folks have decided that's what they want to call their quilt tops.

In quilting lingo, a flimsy is simple the quilt top only. The term "flimsy" in general contexts has negative connotations (weak, insubstantial, easily damaged, poor, fragile, lame) and for that reason, many people (myself included) shy away from the term. I think the only synonym for 'flimsy" that I think of as positive is "light". A quilt top IS light before it gets sandwiched, but that's not enough to sway me into liking the term. Because, after all that work, I like to believe it's anything but insubstantial, poor, fragile, or lame!

Yeah, but sometimes after getting a top done, I feel "insubstantial, poor, fragile, or lame" :)

I think it must be a regional thing. I had never heard the term until about a couple of years ago. I have to agree with ckcowl about the impression from the word; I've only heard it when someone was referring to something of inferior quality.

In my mind flimsy is fragile when it pertains to a quilt top. Not really usable as it is. It possibly is a regional thing (heard it here many times) but I would guess a generational saying as well.

unfinished object is UFO, WIP is work in process. flimsy is quilt top that is not quilted/finished.

I don't like the term either, mostly because it's just too "cutesy" for me. A top is a top, why does it need a cutesied up name?