sometimes the width of fabric is only 42, hence the 21 inch bit.

Do you suppose they've gone metric??

If they had gone metric, then the quarter would be larger, as a metre is nearly 40in, so a metric quarter is nearly 20 x half the width of the fabric.

If you watch at Joann's and some of the other big box stores, they cut at the amount you request. But how do youu know that the first edge is square...generally not. I have purchased fabric at several different lqs and they will add just a little for this reason. They want their customers to be satisfied and know there is nothing worse than to be a little short of fabric.

When this happens, perhaps if we 'nicely' voice our complaint of what we EXPECT a FQ to be & we won't be buying them any more they will WAKE UP!!!

We aren't a bunch of kids (some of us are REALLY senior citizens) & we don't need to be treated as if we don't know the difference in what we are getting. Just my opinion.

I just HAD to get in on this conversation. I took "fat quarters" back to Joanne's to get my $$ back as they were so far off. The sales clerk got the manager and I was told - "read the label" the small label says "approximate". I was NOT happy. She took back half of what I wanted to return!!!!! Makes life interesting!

Most of the pre-packaged ones are now called "fabric" quarters. I think this is their way around the fact that they tend to be a touch small. Our Joann's even has a disclaimer sign that basically says the measurements are approximate.

It been along time since I have seen fabric that was really 45 inches wide... but "fudging" on the 1/4 cut .. last I checked 18 inches is still 18 inches. ... maybe there is some "new" retail ruler .

Even though fabric width is 44-45 inch, that includes the selvedge so you lose up to an inch anyway. Someone has probably pointed that out to them at some time as being false advertising and this is the result. Have we really been getting usable 18 x 22 inch cuts? I will have to go check my older stash!

I understand the larger measurement varying some, as it's dependent on the width of the fabric. But the 18" measurement should stay the same!