Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Frustrated by Fat Quarters >

Frustrated by Fat Quarters

Frustrated by Fat Quarters

Old 03-05-2014, 07:34 PM
  #31  
Super Member
 
Marysewfun's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Somewhere neat!
Posts: 1,146
Default

Another thing that can throw your fat quarters off is washing the fabric. I have unfolded them from the store and they look great - I always wash all my fabrics before using and sometimes when they come out of the dryer they don't look the same way they did when they went in. I make dolls and clothes so it isn't so critical for me.

Marysewfun
Marysewfun is offline  
Old 03-05-2014, 08:38 PM
  #32  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,370
Default

Originally Posted by Marysewfun View Post
Another thing that can throw your fat quarters off is washing the fabric. I have unfolded them from the store and they look great - I always wash all my fabrics before using and sometimes when they come out of the dryer they don't look the same way they did when they went in. I make dolls and clothes so it isn't so critical for me.

Marysewfun
Washing lets fabric revert to its natural / normal state. Whatever that might be.

I have learned to not try to straighten fabric after it has been washed. It just pulls back to what it wants to do.
bearisgray is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 04:33 AM
  #33  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 102
Default

I pick up fabric at resale stores and sometimes for whatever reason there is not a salvage. I just tug gently on the fabric and it's easy to tell the grain by how much "give" it has.
misschris is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 05:17 AM
  #34  
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 94
Default

This where KNOWING your quilt store comes into play. My fat quarters are always perfect, with one selvage showing, and cut correctly. If I purchase a fat quarter from an "unknown" establishment, I actually open it up (it's legal!) to SEE what I'm buying.
Sew Hooked is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 06:26 AM
  #35  
Super Member
 
AnnT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 2,008
Default

Since some fat quarters are actually less than the 18 x 22 anymore, I'm seeing fat quarters without selvages.
AnnT is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 09:17 AM
  #36  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Freeport, Pennsylvania
Posts: 148
Default

Also, more frequently these days, I have noticed the fabric width has gone down from 44-45 inches down to 42-43 inches, so that may have an effect on the 22-inch width also if the shops are cutting right down the middle.

I don't know, but I have always preferred half-yard cuts to fat quarters. I just find it is more usable for me. I feel like I am buying a scrap when I buy a FQ.
justducky65 is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 10:19 AM
  #37  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
Default

I guess I never thought about the selvedge edge being missing from precuts, because I remembered from a junior high school 'Home Economics' class that you could find the straight of grain in small pieces of fabric, if you remember that woven fabric has some 'give' across the grain but almost none on the straight of grain. I just do this automatically when I have an piece that is no longer yardage, before I cut. Doing this will also make it easier to piece because all of the stretchiness will be one direction on any quilt made with right angles, so I get more accuracy. My corners are not always perfect, but at least I know I have done all I can to get it that way. Lol!
madamekelly is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 02:08 PM
  #38  
Senior Member
 
kathyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Illinois
Posts: 909
Default

Originally Posted by Dina View Post
Oh, I am glad to read this!!

Dina
I agree.
The problem could also be from not good quality fabric. But then I am a fabric snob when it comes to buying fabric. For as much time as I put into making a quilt I want the best fabric I can afford.
kathyd is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 03:29 PM
  #39  
Senior Member
 
shirleyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 320
Default

I'm always learning from this board! Interesting information on fat quarters that I've never given much thought. Thanks for posting.
shirleyd is offline  
Old 03-06-2014, 06:08 PM
  #40  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ridgecrest, CA
Posts: 227
Default

I don't buy FQs very often for piecing, but for applique. When I wash them, I have to worry about shrinkage - and some fabrics shrink a lot! I couldn't depend on the amount of fabric available if I used FQs. I prefer to buy yardage for piecing.
M cubed is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
craftybear
Links and Resources
5
09-16-2011 11:03 AM
craftybear
Links and Resources
8
08-25-2011 09:29 PM
Snorky Lvs2Quilt
Main
16
04-21-2011 09:57 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter