Originally Posted by 0tis
Has anyone noticed that fat quarters are shrinking? I purchased some and they are labeled fat quarters and the label says 17" x21" - somewhere I saw 17.5" x 21" - I always thought fat quarters were 18" x 22" - hmmm... must be reducing the size but not the price.
the size was always "approximately" 18" x 22". Then in the early 2000 range, some maker's started making fabric only 40" wide, some even went down to 38". But that quickly failed, as it was more costly to set the looms at different sizes. Now however, some of the selvage edges are larger to accomodate MORE writing on them. Like the statements about it being used for personal use only, copryright, etc.
So the fabric might be 42", but once you remove the selvage, which is non-usable,(due the tighter warp) it makes the usable portion of the fabric only 40". The 18" part should NOT be changed. A half yard is a half yard and any shop selling you less than a true 18" is cheating you!