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What is a Fat Quarter?-Quilting 101

April 18, 2019
Fat Quarter Illustration, Lori Kennedy
Good Morning, Quilters!

Today from my notebook: Quilting 101 , What is a fat quarter? This post was requested by my daughters, Faye and Nora, who are just learning to quilt. Understanding the terminology of quilting is one of the details that experienced quilters take for granted, but cause confusion for new quilters.

Fabric on a Bolt

To understand a fat quarter, begin by looking at a typical bolt of fabric. Fabric on a bolt is folded in half. The typical width of fabric is around 44-45 inches, so when it is folded in half, the bolt reveals about 22 inches.

Fat Quarter Illustration, Fabric on a bolt illustration

Regular Quarter Yard of Fabric

When you take the bolt to the counter to be cut, most often you will receive a regular quarter yard of fabric.  One yard of fabric is 36 inches long, so a quarter yard is 9 inches long.

Fat Quarter Illustration, Fabric on a bolt illustration

Width of Fabric (WOF)

A regular quarter yard of fabric is 9 inches by the width of fabric (WOF).  Usually, the WOF is 44-45 inches, though it can be more or less. So when you purchase a regular quarter yard of fabric, you will receive a long strip of fabric.

Fat Quarter Illustration, Fabric on a bolt illustration

Twice as Wide

A fat quarter is cut differently. The fabric is cut on the 18 inch line first and then again along the fold line

Fat Quarter Illustration, Fabric on a bolt illustration

This produces TWO quarter yard pieces of fabric call fat quarters. Each piece of fabric is 18 inches wide and 22 inches long.

Fat Quarter Illustration, Fabric on a bolt illustration

Regular vs. Fat Quarter Yard of Fabric

A regular quarter yard of fabric is 9 x 44″ (or WOF)

While a fat quarter is 18 x 22″ (or 1/2 WOF).

They are both the same amount of fabric!

For many quilts, it doesn’t matter which quarter yard you purchase, but for some patterns and uses, the fat quarter may be more convenient.  I LOVE quarter yards of solid fabric (Fat Quarter Shop) to make mini whole cloth quilts. I usually buy fat quarter bundles to get a wide variety of colors.  The square size is perfect!  I just ordered this Tula Pink collection.

Fat Quarter Illustration, Fabric on a bolt illustration

How Much Should YOU Pay?

Some quilt stores will cut a fat quarter for you if you ask, but don’t expect them to because they are left with a piece of fabric separated from the bolt.  Also, it is more time-consuming to cut a fat quarter. They have to make two cuts and then they have to re-package and label the leftover fabric.

Many stores have fat quarter bins where you can find a variety of fabrics. Be a little cautious about price.  Multiply the bin price by 4 and ask yourself, ” Would I pay that for a yard of this fabric?”  For example, if the fat quarter price is $3.50, that means you are paying $14/yard for the fabric.  It may be worth the convenience, but you may prefer to buy a 1/3 yard for almost the same price.  I have found pre-cut, fat quarter prices vary from $2-$3.50.

Rainy Bird quilt, Fat Quarter

The Notebook Series

Understand Thread Weight

How to Choose the Right Sewing Machine Needle

What about YOU?

Do YOU buy pre-cuts?

Does YOUR local quilt shop cut fat quarters as a courtesy?

Do YOU make whole cloth quilts?

Do YOU have any questions for our Quilting 101 Series?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Happy Stitching!

Lori

PS…This post contains affiliate links.  If you choose to purchase (at no additional cost to YOU) I may receive a little pin-money.  Thank you for supporting Lori Kennedy Quilts this way!

PPS…All images, illustrations and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts.  For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com.  Thanks!

 

 

 

 

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Categories

Quilt Quilting 101

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Basic Quilting Information Illustrations Notebook Series Quilting terminology What is a Fat Quarter

22 responses to “What is a Fat Quarter?-Quilting 101”

  1. Amanda Schnabel says:
    April 18, 2019 at 9:02 am

    Thank you for this explanation–it was clear and easy to understand–much appreciated!

    1. Barbara Apple says:
      April 18, 2019 at 9:27 am

      Now I know!!

  2. Vicki says:
    April 18, 2019 at 9:25 am

    I enjoyed your explanation. A perfect way to explain a fat quarter. I always do the math before purchasing.

    Also, think of the quality of the fabric – Am I looking for good fabric or a quick, cheap fabric? i.e. just to practice quilting stitches and pitch (send to the group that makes pet beds).

  3. Rosemarie says:
    April 18, 2019 at 9:41 am

    I love having fat quarters in my stash, especially since I like to make miniature quilts. Many times they come in a nice little bundles of coordinating fabrics. However, I find myself buying 1/2 yard cuts or pre-cuts more frequently, since I also like to make small wall-hangings and a 1/2 yard cut is usually just the amount I need for outside borders plus the binding.

  4. tenthofeleven says:
    April 18, 2019 at 9:57 am

    I buy precuts when they are on sale. I buy half yards in order to keep my fabric monster in check.

  5. Jeanne says:
    April 18, 2019 at 10:02 am

    Great explanation and awesome illustrations. I appreciated the suggestion of 1/4 yard for solids and fat quarters for color.

    PS I love your little rainy bird!! I walked this morning in the rain… (it wasn’t supposed to…)

  6. Lorraine Doyno Evans says:
    April 18, 2019 at 10:14 am

    Wow! I frequently buy FQs but rarely spend $3.50 on them. Maybe my brain already figured out that it would be cheaper to buy 1/3 yd and get 2 FQ with left overs or 1FQ and 2 layer cake pieces for the same price! Nice to have it spelled out and validated.

  7. Sue says:
    April 18, 2019 at 10:31 am

    I love precuts!! My interest in them is I frequently want the whole line of a certain one so buying precuts gives me a bit of each one. I also like fat quarters for variety. I especially like FQ bundles.
    I buy less and less yardage these days. I’m addicted to those precuts 🙂
    Lori, I love your new site!

    1. Lori Kennedy Quilts says:
      April 18, 2019 at 10:53 am

      I know what you mean! Love getting the entire collection!

  8. Brenda Perry says:
    April 18, 2019 at 11:08 am

    I love your posts, but I got two emails announcing your post again! I thought last time I got 2 it was a glitch and it was fixed. Could you please fix again?.. ;-)….I’m also wondering about the question below the area for posting this comment: what’s the difference between being notified of new comments and being notified of new posts?
    Thanks, Brenda

    1. Phyllis Arnold says:
      April 18, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Same comment here. 2 posts every day. What is the difference in the comments section?

      1. Lori Kennedy Quilts says:
        April 18, 2019 at 2:23 pm

        Thanks for letting me know! We changed something in the back end and it made the double email issue happen again. I think we’ve fixed it going forward though.

    2. Marta says:
      April 19, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      Hey Lori., Yes, please explain the difference between comments and posts.?? I always check both so I won’t miss anything but have no idea what they mean compared to each other. Thank you…

      1. WordPress.com Support says:
        April 20, 2019 at 7:48 am

        Posts are the articles I write. Comments are reader responses to articles. Does that help?

      2. Marta says:
        April 20, 2019 at 10:14 am

        Yes M’am ! Mystery solved… thank you so much!

  9. Christenna Stamm says:
    April 18, 2019 at 11:27 am

    Thanks for a great explanation! Another thing I like about “Fat Quarters” is you can get a larger design repeat of the fabric! You might have to explain that to your daughters, worth the explanation though.

  10. Marge Prewitt says:
    April 18, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    Love FQ’s and have way too many on hand. Is that possible? LOL I also am getting two emails at a time.

  11. Michele K says:
    April 18, 2019 at 1:59 pm

    I buy my share of fat quarters, but for prints I go with 1/2 yards. With a fat quarter I had less “fussy cut” pieces.

  12. Patricia says:
    April 18, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Thank You! for sharing this information on Fat Quarters. It is very helpful.

  13. quilter1522 says:
    April 18, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    Lovely graphics, Lori! I especially like your comment on how much a fat quarter can cost compared to purchasing yardage. On the technical side, I’m not getting double emails, but the sender listed has been truncated to either ‘The’ or simply ‘Lori’; it used to be The Inbox Jaunt.

  14. Marta says:
    April 19, 2019 at 10:46 pm

    Two emails of this one…. I buy fat quarters if it is a color or design I like. My cost has to be $2 or less. My accountant husband figured out the by-the-yard prices for me couple years ago. However, currently I have a fat quarter I’d love to use. It is perfect for the situation… But I find I need another half of a fat quarter.. So sad !! LOL. I bought it long time ago and who knows where. Going to have to buy something new or compromise my idea. Guess from now on if I loooove it , I will buy 2 and hope I won’t need a whole yard! LOL

  15. worldpresscom986 says:
    April 22, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    For the newbies, you need to explain WOF and LOF while you’re at it.

Comments are closed.
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    Lori Kennedy

    Hi! I’m Lori Kennedy, machine quilter, & author from Minnesota. Check out my monthly newsletter & my articles. Machine quilting is my passion. From doodling to quilting, I’m here in my Minnesota studio to help you get quilting.

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