Annie Pearl

I am sure that this question has been asked before but I searched with no luck. I don't have a LQS thats not an hour away. There is a "Mom and Pop" that has a good deal of fabric but they won't cut fat quarters. How much yardage do you buy in place of a fat quarter? I have so many patterns that call for fat quarters.

Sunnye

I'll buy 1/2 yard and then cut that for 2 fat quarters.

Billi

A true fat quarter is a full yard of of 44" wide fabric cut into forths down the center length wise then down the ceter width wise yielding 4 pieces 18x22.

Almost all of my patterns that call for fat quarters say I can substitute 1/4 yrd fabric (9x44) for each fat quarter it calls for. But most of those are strip patterns and don't call for cuts larger 4 inches wide.

The cuts (size and shape) in your pattern are what dictates if you can get away with 1/4 yd cuts works well for strips or if you need 1/2 cuts needed if you have wider strips or blocks you are cutting.

dnorton

I usually by 1/2 yard pieces instead. In all of the quilts I've done I've needed more than 1 fq of the same fabric anyway and every half yard will give 2 fat quarters. If I have on left over it just goes in the stash pile.

PaperPrincess

There was a recent post which sparked a discussion. I guess that there are a lot of LQSs that will cut a fat quarter. None around my house, though!
A fat quarter is just a half yard, cut in half again at the fold.

cjsews

A quater yard will do if your pieces can be cut from this. Check out your pattern and make sure the 9 inch depth of your fabric will allow you to cut the pieces needed. Some patterns have larger blocks the the 18 X 22 fat quarter will better accomodate.

nativetexan

The shop won't cut fat qtrs. because they don't want to be stuck with the other fat qtr they make out of 1/2 yard they must cut first. so if you can, just get 1/2 yard pieces from them.

tessagin

I just buy a 1/2 yard because I pre-wash anyway and allow for shrinkage. Actually, I don't mind buying a full yard. With what's left over you can make a totally different pattern or an item not necessarily a quilt.

Jeanne S

I just buy a 1/2 yard too. My LQS won't cut less than 1/3 yard.

spunky

Probably cheaper to buy 1/2 yd anyway