So I bought fat quarters for a quilt a year ago I am finally getting around to cutting the quilt out and some of my fats are only 18 x 21. I am supposed to cut three strips from each fat two 8.5" and one 3.5" and I can't get all three strips out of the fat. I am so annoyed. I hope I can find the fabrics that I need. Thank Goodness for the Internet.

Has anyone else had this problem before? What is the solution - always get half a yard instead of just a fat?

Someone gave me a matched set of fat quarters as a gift, and this exact thing happened to me. When I pre-washed my fabric, I had not just a little less, but a LOT less of some pieces. My solution was to use the fabric in a scrappy quilt, where the actual fabric didn't matter quite so much because it all matched anyway. My advice? Don't depend on a fat quarter to give you exactly what you need!

I had the same problem.....they didn't like it much, but the next several times I shopped at that store, I opened every FQ before purchasing it. :(

I quit buying FQs. I purchased a set and liked them so much the table runner I was making turned into a wall-hanging. But--I didn't have enough fabric so I ordered another set and the color was slightly different. I finished it anyways and use it folded in half on the back of the couch. Lesson learned: I don't buy FQ sets, would get the half-yard sets if I really liked the colors but usually just buy yardage and make my own color combos. Can you go to a fabric store and try to co-ordinate some other fabrics with your FQs? Good luck-I know how frustrating this can be.

FQs just don't do it for me, either. I can generally get a half yard for just a dollar more. The only time I get them is for swaps.

Couple weeks ago Sis and I went to town and went to Walmart, Joanns, and a LQS. All 3 carried fat quarters and all the packaging said they were 18x21. I have some fat quarters from years ago and all are marked 18x22. Guess we lost an inch somewhere down the road. Price sure didn't go down tho.

That is so frustrating. I think we have all had that happen. I have a lot of fat quarters, but still prefer to buy by the yard.

Some of the yardage itself has shrunk from 44" to 42" and then if you get the fat quarter with the selvedge you lose another 1/2" + too.....

I run across that ALL THE TIME and it is so frustrating! Can't the shops MEASURE before cutting??

I wish they would measure with out including the selvages in the measurement too!!

And this is BEFORE it is washed!

They are just stingy....I watch the lady cutting my fabric yesterday...I was just getting 1/8 of a yard (had to get 12 colors for owl wings so didn't need much) but still she wasn't going an inch over..if anything by the time she got to the top of material it got smaller....when I had my shop years ago I always allowed 2 or 3 in case It wasn't cut straight...it can make a difference in quilting every 1/4 inch matters sometimes!