Albujudy

That is the reason that they recently changed their vendor. And by recently, about March. They were completly out while the change took place. Hopefully they will give you your money back, if that is what you want to do.

littlehud

The fat quarters I have bought are wide enough but not always long enough. Most are just stash builders but it can still be frustrating

GrandmaLiz

Maybe the fabric wasn't but 40" wide to begin with...

ckcowl

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

thismomquilts

They should be called skinny quarters then!! ;)

bob1414

Yes, exactly what Patrice said. The 18" measurement should ALWAYS be consistent. The other measurement should be half of whatever the width of the fabric. It has been changing lately - I imagine since the price of fabric is increasing, manufacturers are looking for a way to keep from more increases - thus a narrower fabric width. Just like the FORMER half gallons of ice cream - they're not half gallon size any longer. Lots of packaged food is getting smaller as a way of keeping the price the same.

bearisgray

Not that terribly long ago, 36 inch width WAS the norm.

I have some cottons from my Mom that are only 36 inches wide from selvage to selvage - and that is an unwashed width.

iltoaz

Thanks for the info on measurements for FQ. I always assumed 44" width (I know - never assume). Shows I've been sewing for a while.

quiltlin

Some fabric is not quite 44/45" wide so that may be the difference is the sizes. Have no idea why all of them would be 17" though.

wvdek

Thanks for the explanation Patrice anad ckcowl.

I think that should help alot of folks who were just assuming what a FQ was.

I also appreciate the fact that you pointed out it is NOT the stores fault but fabric companies for making the WOF less wide.

Goes to show we all need to do more Fine Print reading on the ends of the bolts, signage, and alot less assumptions and blaming.