when a fat quarter is cut the first cut is to cut 1/2 yard from the bolt; then the 1/2 yard cut is cut in half at the fold; SO
the only consistant measurement of a fat quarter is the 18" cut. the second cut is dependant on the width of the fabric which can be anywhere between 36" and 44" giving you actual fatquarters which measure anywhere between 18"x18" and 18" x 22"...it is not the shop's fault if your fq's do not measure 18"x22", it is totally dependant on the width of fabric the manufacturer makes. so don't be too hard on the stores, it is not their fault that the width of fabrics is not consistant, and they would wind up with bad off cuts if they tried to cut what everyone believes should be the true measurement...anything narrower than 44"; if a fabric measures 40" wide and the shop cut the fq at 18"x22" the piece left over would only measure 18"x 18" ..... which would mean they would only get 2 out of a yard...instead of 4
since manufacturers are making the fabric narrower we are going to have to adjust our thinking to accomadate the changes.
i look at the change as the same as candy bars...lets raise the price a little bit, instead of 50 cents, we will now charge 75 cents...hey and if we take off an ounce it is still 'big-enough' but we will increase our earnings...if they want it they will pay....
but if you are going to make contact and complain remember to complain to the right guilty party...the fabric manufacturers not the shop keepers who simply cut fq's from the bolts they receive