I occasionally like the convenience of having someone else cut my strips and squares. I don't know about anyone else, but finding 40 coordinating fabrics, and cutting one square or strip off each takes me a long time. I'm willing to pay a small amount for convenience. I do prefer to buy the precuts at my LQS because, unless I get free shipping, adding shipping to the cutting charge is sometimes too prohibitive.
Once in a while, it's nice to buy precuts so I don't have to search out 20 or 40 fabrics and cut into small units. That said, however, this is my breakdown of costs and cutoff for purchasing. The prices are from Fat Quarter Shop.
Charm Pack - 42 5” squares - $8.50
Candy Bars - 160 2-1/2 x 5 - $25
Jelly Roll - 40 2-1/2 x WOF - $35
Layer Cake - 42 10”Sqs - $35
HoneyBun - 40 1-1/2 x WOF - $23
Turnover - 40 6” Sqs cut diagonally - $15.50
Fat Quarters – really varied sets and prices
Charm packs are reasonably priced. 42 charms is slightly over 2/3 yards. At $9.50 a yard, that’s $6.50 for the fabric and $2 for the cutting and having 20 to 40 different fabrics.
Candy Bars are too expensive. It’s basically 4 charm packs cut in half and sorted. It’s cheaper to buy four charm packs ($34) and cut each in half. You end up with two Candy Bar sets at a savings of $16 over their price.
Jelly Rolls are equal to 2.77 yards At $9.50 a yard, that’s $25.30 for the fabric and $9.50 for the cutting and varied fabrics.
Layer cakes are equal to 3 yards. At $9.50, that’s $28.50 for the fabric, and $6.50 for the cutting and varied fabrics
Honey Buns are equal to 1-2/3 yards. At $9.50, that’s $15.77 for the fabric and $7.33 for the cutting and varied fabrics.
Turnovers are equal to 1 yard. That’s $9.50 for the fabric and $6 for the cutting and varied fabrics.
Fat Quarters – Figure on $2.60 a fat quarter – At $9.50 a yard, 1 / 4 yard is $2.38. Anything over $2.60 a FQ is too expensive, unless it’s a special collection. That’s still giving them almost $1 a yard for cutting and having varied fabrics.