I feel really stupid asking this question but.... what are fat quarters used for? I have never seen a pattern that uses them. Do you just get them to use for scrappy quilts?

I think the turning twenty is done with 20 FQ's. I have no idea what ppl use em for lol I keep collecting them but have never used even one yet! Hmm..... maybe that will be my next project. After the zillion I have going are finished ;)

I used some in a quilt I was working on today. I have some stacks of them and like you I don't know quite what to do with them.

It's just a small piece of fabric, but a fat quarter is a shape that allows for more shapes in cutting. It's still a quarter of a yard of fabric.

You mean we are suppose to do something with them :shock: LOL

There are some patterns and books out that use them - but I never buy enough in a color theme/scheme to make anything with- I use them when I just need a little bit of the fabric

Besides Turning Twenty, they work really well for a Ten Minute block. I just finished seven of them for a Row Robin- look in our Friends Know No Borders pictures for the blue and white rows if you desire...

it is a larger way to cut 1/4 yd of fabric. There are thousands of books/patterns designed just for using FQ cuts!

They are also great for trading, gift giving, making small items like wallets, ornamtents, pin cushions, etc...FQ are a great way to start a collection of fabrics, like civil war or 1930's reproductions, novelty prints, IE: chickens, there are so many reasons to have FQ's....

I am collecting turquoise fat quarters for my next quilt - Lucky Stars - batiks that is. It calls for 30 FQ. Go up to the top of this page and "search" for Lucky Star quilts and you should see some spectacular ones from our wonderful quilters on here

I'm torn about fat quarters... I have many and I continue to buy them. I use them for smaller quilted projects like wall hangings, hotpads, placemats etc. I'm always afraid that whatever fat quarter I do have will be perfect for a larger project and I won't have enough fabric to use it!!!!

I bought a huge assortment of FQ from someone on here and have loved having the variety.

I'm in the Boomerang 5.0 East exchange and these have come in soooo handy for making one special block.

Someday, I might decide I want to do a strip quilt and I'll have a lot to start with.

Besides, they look so pretty in the basket / boxes.

Ditto!

There are pattern books just for fat quarters. I use mine for the scrappy quilts. Use as I need them and however they fit the bill.

you can check out these sites, the 2nd one is posted here on the board. crafty_linda_b

http://blog.imaginefabric.com/2009/0...t-quarter.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-99353-1.htm
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/techni...endly_ss1.html
http://blog.craftzine.com/fat_quarter_quilt.jpg

Love fat quarters. Use them for applique.

I'd guess the primary purpose of a fat quarter is to get small amount of fabric in the most useable form. A piece that is 45" wide and 9" long (a quarter of a yard) often will lose a lot when you try to square it up. A quarter of a yard in a "fat" quarter (of a yard) gives more workable area. (size 21 x 18)

Love fat quarters. I'm able to get a wider variety of fabrics this way. I've used them for table runners and for quilts. Turning 20 has already been mentioned - I do Turning 12 which uses 12 fat quarters. Cheaper by the Dozen uses 12. Yellow Brick Road uses fat quarters - 6 for a crib size and 12 for a lap size. I have a table runner pattern that uses 3 of them. Several patterns for crib size quilts use 6 - 7 of them.

When you cut a yard into 1/4 yd segments you usually get 4 thin strips of fabric - 9 inches X 42 inches. A Fat Quarter is made by cutting the yard horizontally and vertically so you get 18" X 21" or so.

At quilt shop prices fat quarters make for an expensive yard of fabric - around here they run $2.75 - $3. At the Houston quilt show I found tubs and tubs of them for $1 each. Our quilt shop has a basket in the back where they are 99 cents. Joann's has them for $1.89, but they fold them with a cardboard stiffener which makes me think they are thinner fabric - I haven't bought any so don't really know.

Pattern: Yellow Brick Road - 12 batik fat quarters
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-132228-1.htm

table runner - 3 fq's
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-131033-1.htm

Turning 12 - 12 fq's from a red/white bundle clotilde.com
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-125053-1.htm

Cheaper By the Dozen - from a kit made up of fq's
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-92398-1.htm

You simply can't get the shapes/sizes from a regular 1/4 yard and ... variety!

I use them all the time. I am making a queen size Yellow Brick Road, right now. I cut several into strips for my floral log cabin. I love having them.

it's a way of getting many patterns that coordinate. if cutting 1/4 yd from the bolt, it's skinny. a fat quarter gives you more room to cut a larger shape.

I'd really rather buy yardage... apart from the fact it's less expensive for what you get, most of the time I like more than a 1/4 yard. But I have bought a few FQs when I need just a touch of a certain colour, and don't think I need more of it in my stash.

Love fat quarters. Addicted to buying them. I do love using them also. Our quilting guild has a drawing every month for one person. We all bring the same color of fat quarters and the person that wins them decides what color to bring next time. It's loads of fun and a nice happy for one person each month.

I like the fact that I can grab x amount of fat quarters and throw a quilt together quickly. Like this one 6 fat quarters cut into a dnp and wala. Quilt made in an afternoon. I went thru a phase where I didn't think I would buy anymore fat quarters, kinda thought I might as well buy a yard, but they are great to have on hand for sure!
Ok will have to post it later, or I will be late for work! :shock:

I like them because my cutting area is small and it's a pain to lay out yardage! FQs are easily manageable in a small space and don't require a whole lot of shifting/trimming/folding/cussing. I am also drawn to "organized scrappy" quilts, and FQs are an easy way to get lots and lots of variety without a lot of slop or waiting at the cutting table.

A fat quarter is half of a half yard. There is a book called 5-10-15+ Fat Quarters that you might be interested in. It's not all quilts, but it does have some fun projects.

http://www.amazon.com/5-10-15-Fat-Qu.../dp/1592172997

I posted a pic in another thread about fat quarters. http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-108269-1.htm I used 35 fabrics 30 of them were fat quarters. It is the purple quilt on page 4

I think it is a good way to get a large variety of fabrics when you don't know what you are going to make. It is also good for applique when you only need a little of a certain color. There are tons of patterns out there.
Sue

how do you use them for a 10 min block?

I think of Fat Quarters as a Sample of a new fabric, or a design style, which I might like to use, especially those colors that take me OUT of my comfort zone. For a long time I had a revulsion for TOO BRIGHT fabrics, but I bought a few remnants (cheap) or a fat quarter, brought them home, and grew comfortable with them near me, using them with my muted colors and pastels.

wow these are so pretty! thanks for the insperation!

Easier to fussy cut from.

I use them in everything. Unless you are doing a quilt with very few fabrics & colors, then fqs are great! I love quilts with lots of different fabrics & colors in them, so they work great for me. I am doing more applique now, & they are great for that too. Yes, there are fq patterns, but don't limit yourself to just them. Fqs also give you alot more variety to choose from in your stash, & they don't stay around forever, like a whole bolt would, or even yards of any one piece. They are great when you don't have alot of room either... So, try some & see, you might get hooked on them!...

Great for sampler quilts.

I use them all the time, for sewing, making patterned blocks, swaps, prizes, etc..FQs have unlimited potential.