Fat Quarters Question
 

What is the advantage of using them? How does the cost compare to fabric off the bolt? I just did a couple of baby projects using them and it made it very simple. Has anyone ever bought from Missouri Quilting?

Fat quarters are a great way to get a lot of variety, and if bought in sets, they are already coordinated for you. The cost seems to usually be just slightly higher than yard goods. You can figure cost per yard by simply multiplying the cost per fat quarter by 4. The disadvantage I see with them is that you are limited to the size of pieces or strips you can cut from each one. I love seeing beautiful stacks of coordinated fat quarters, and sometimes buy them, but usually I stick to yard goods because I tend to mostly be making queen size quilts right now.

usually more expensive as cutting charge is built in. Unless you can get them on sale. You have to compare what the cut yardage would be. They are often more expensive then you could buy 1/4 yds.
Yes, they are convenient to get a large variety of prints. So you have to balance the cost vs convenience and know if the cut size is economical for you.

I buy from MSQC. They are terrific.

I mostly make scrappy quilts, so they are a great way to build your stash. And MSQC is a very nice place to shop and they have great cutomer service.

I'm new to quilting but I did just purchase a bunch of different ones for a quilt I am now working on. I was lucky and got them at 40% off at Joann's. I was thrilled since this is my first quilt keeping the cost to a minimum would be good. I did purchase some fabric from bolts for the trim and two other fabrics. My total was under 75.00 That did not include my batting or the back fabric but I thought this was great.

I'd say that if you can get them on sale and they will work for your pattern then its worth looking into due to the fabric savings.

Diane

I don't usually buy fq, but I did buy a set of fq at Walmart because they were on clearance for $2 for a pack of 8 fq! They made a nice quilt. Lately I've been making a lot of scrappy quilts to use up the small pieces of material I have at home.

They are great for swaps. Buy a yard, cut it 4x'a=1 for me and 3 to swap. I love the Yellow Brick Road pattern for a quick gift.

I like fat quarters but if you add up the cost per fat quarter x 4 you usually end paying more per yard. I ususally wait till the fat quarters go on sale $1 or $1.50 each don't feel so bad about buying them. What I like about them the size is more managable for cutting then having a whole yard+ to cut from. I just received a package from Missouri Quilt today, this is my second order. I think there prices are a light high so I wait till they offer free shipping and bonus points and something that I really want. The first order they sent me one thing wrong, upset but not worth sending back, this order was right, thank goodness.

I usually buy the yardage I need for a project and add another yard to the purchase. That way I can cut 2 FQ's and several strips for my stash. Much less expensive than buying the pre cuts and they really add up fast.

I like to have to have a stash so i buy yardage.. I dont ever use fat quarters anymore... I never had 'enough' fabric for what i wanted in the fq....

I love fat quarters but they generally cost more than just buying a yard of fabric and cutting it myself. But I do have quite a collection of them anyway.

When I was new to quilting, buying fat quarters was a great way to build a stash fast. I still love fat quarters! I wouldn't trade my fat quarter stash for anything in the world. Now that my FQ stash has reached critical mass I tend to buy yardage. If I like it I buy 1 yd. If I love it I buy 2 or more yards.

I usually buy fabric by the yard, but on occasion have purchased fq when on sale.

I love fat quarters. Then you can get a variety without breaking the bank. They are great for appliqué and scrappy quilts. If it's something that I really love I buy several.
Sue

I like buying and using fat quarters. But, I also like buying and using layer cakes, jelly rolls and yardage. I like having the option of a quick fq or other precut quilt. I also like the having the yardage for other quilts, borders and backing.
I like the MQC and have purchased from them several times. I also like their tutorials and have made several quilts using them.

For me it's better to buy yardage than fat quarters-it's usually the most cost effective.

I buy from MSQC all the time......I loveee them......I buy FQ's....jelly rolls.....layer cakes....etc.....Their service is great and the fabric is great......I loveee buying them because they are co-orderinated....I have my stash of by the yard also that I get at various places when on sale.....have you signed up for getting their daily, deal of the day....thats where you really save a lot of money......Happy Sewing !!!!!

Most of the LQS's I go to don't charge extra to cut FQ's.

ali

I have purchased several things from MSQC - all with a great deal of the day and add something else on. What I really like about MSQC is the tutorials - they are awesome too (at least I think so).

I only buy Fat Quarters when I can't find the fabric I want by the yard. I usually buy 1/2 yd or 1 yd pieces so I will have extra fabric in case I cut something wrong.

I am addicted to FQs. I don't know why. I find them irresistible. When they go on sale they are like penny candy. I have recently developed an attraction to Charm Squares.

The advntage is that if you only need small amounts you have the advantage of being able to cut strips on the length of grain vs. cross grain. Sometimes I go ahead and buy 1/2 yard piece because not much more than price of FQ. Stores usually charge more per yard for a FQ because of labor of cutting and the possibility of having leftover FQs they cant sell.

Missouri Quilting is a great site and they have a Quilter's Daily Deal, that is wonderful. About the fat quarters - bought 2 packages (5 in each package) at at Hobby Lobby (18x22 ea) for 9.99ea and used the 40% off coupon but I needed a selection of purple for my GD quilt and that was just the perfect amount. Also when I just need a small selection of a specific color, they work great and you can get good buys on-line also.

I honestly don't know where others have been purchasing their FQs, I've found them to be exactly the cost of what 1/4 of a yardage would be, and I've shopped in quilt shops in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, BC, Yukon and Alaska. I've not seen them work out to be more $ then buying yardage.

I'm sorry I can't help you about Missouri Quilting but I can tell you that I love Fat Quarters. I find that when I have a bit extra $ it's always fun to stop in and buy a FQ to add to my stash. I love the variety of fabrics I'm able to get in my quilts using a variety of FQs rather then yardage of just a few fabrics. I tend to buy yardage only for my border fabrics.

hope that helps!

They are nice if you want a variety but I prefer to buy yardage. :)

I like buying fat quarters, but the ones from JoAnn aren't cut on the grain. By the time I straighten out the fat quarter and trim I have less fabric, which is disappointing. But the price is right, and I don't complain.

You'll have to judge the price yourself. Not cheaper for sure.

I have several in various color combinations. Someday......I will make a quilt but just keep looking at them for now. It is nice to have the colors all cordinated for you.

I never buy fat quarters or any precut fabrics. They are more expensive because someone has to cut them.
I always buy yardage. Plus this gives you fabric to build a stash, you always have fabric to make a quilt whenever
the mood strikes or you need a gift.

I love fat quarters, I buy them when on sale, otherwise i buy yardage and cut into quarters, then i am ready for swaps and sewing. And I love MSQC, customer service is fabulous, and jenny who does the tutes is great, lots of nice patterns to buy and for free. Love all her tips and ideas.
I have so much fabric, i could wrap the state of Illinois 100 times and still have too much. Sew little time, oh me

I love purchasing FQ's for small projects and variety. I purchase mine locally and they are still $.99 each and are true FQ's (18" x 22").

THey are more expensiv so cheaper to buy yardage. However if they are on sale I do buy them as that way I can get variety of some different fabrics that may not be available in yardage as sometimes they will use ends of the bolts at LQS to make the fat quarters.

Precuts just make it much easier for you to start a quilting project. MSQC is terrific and they have WONDERFUL tutorials!

I love buying fat quarters for the variety for scrappy quilts but also love buying yardage. OK, I admit it, I just love buying fabric!

It's getting so that I only buy yardage for sashing, binding, and backing. I do mostly scrappy, sampler type quilts so that works for me. There are a couple of "staples" like black, while, and red that I find handy to have in yardages. I try to buy only for current projects so stash building is not my aim.

I try not to buy FQ's as they're not really economical but they look so lovely in their colourful bunches that I usually succumb to temptation.
Annie

Ditto. froggyintexas

The fat quarter size is the advantage over the flat quarters. They are 18x22 instead of 9x45.