I know that some shops cut their own strips my hand. So that accounts for the variance. This goes for charms, layer cakes too. The fat quarters can depend on the fabric. You will see some are 42 inches and some 44inches. I have noticed a lot of fat quarters are are smaller than they used to be. Again it can be someone making their own FQs. it bothers me when I see a fat quarter is only 15 inches.