I have bought a package of fat quarters when I want to make something specific - i.e.: a Turning 20. Otherwise, I would rather buy 1/3 or 1/2 yard. I found that when I buy just a 1/4 yard sometimes the person cutting is not very good at cutting and one end is not the full 9 inches, the 1/3 yard is 12 inches and I can do more with that than 9 inches.