fat quarters
 

what are they?

A small piece of fabric about 18inches by 22 inches, I believe

If you cut a yard of fabric off the bolt, then cut 9", you have a quarter of a yard. If you take a yard of fabric, then cut it in half (18"), then cut that piece in half (20-22"), you have a fat quarter. The second number varies, because different fabrics have different widths on the bolt, anywhere from 40-44".

The reason many patterns call for fat quarters, and shops sell them, is that usually you have more design freedom with a quarter yard of fabric that measures 18" x 20-22" as compared with the same amount (a quarter of a yard) that measures 9" x width of fabric (WOF), or 40-44" depending upon the fabric.

It's what you feel you HAVE to buy at least one of when you go to a LQS (local quilt shop) during a shop hop...when you can't find anything to purchase there otherwise!!! Ha ha ha!

Or what you purchase instead of buying the whole bolt!!!

Here is a website with a picture of how a fat quarter is cut:
http://quilting.about.com/od/stepbys...t_quarters.htm
Hope this helps you out.

There are lots of patterns that are fat quarter friendly too.

a quarter yard is a cut of 9 inches by the width of fabric and is about 396 square inches, a fat quarter is 18 inches by 22 inches and is 396 square inches. The fat quarter has more cutting options than the 9 inch strip.

However, some may notice on the receipt that it may have been cheaper to buy a yard of the same fabric and cut 4 fat quarters themselves. Around here, 4 single fat quarter combined purchases averages $1.50-2.00 more than if purchasing a yard from the bolt.

A fat quarter is those neatly folded little rectangles, squares, or triangles of fabric that sit in cubbies or baskets near the bolts of fabric; already labeled, priced, and calling out 'take me home, take me home!'

Ditto this. There a many great uses for fat quarters.

I was once told that when I go into quilt shop, to purchase 1 fat quarter of the 'ugliest' fabric in the store. I thought it was unusual advise, but I started to follow it. Now, this may seem crazy, but I have made several quilts over the years, and have actually pulled in those 'ugly' fabrics (just a hint - thank goodness I only had a FQ of each!), and they have REALLY made the quilt pop! And, my ugly ducklings haven't been a huge financial burden, either ...

Fat quarters are very addicting, so be careful. I love getting them in groups, they all coordinate for those of us like me who have a hard time with creativity.

I believe you have gotten the answer about measurements. Here is one pattern called Turning Twenty that uses fat quarters.

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Fat Quarters, a piece of fabric 18 x 22, are a boon to quilters. There are a ton a patterns that are Fat Quarter friendly and if you don't want to buy a whole yard of something then they are the answer. Also when you see something that you just absolutely love, but have no idea what you will do with it; then a Fat Quarter fits the bill.

There are also fabric cuts called Fat Eighths. They are a fat quarter cut into half. They measure 9" x 22"! And we haven't even mention Layer cake, Jelly rolls, Charms or Turnover !!! BEWARE, any fabric precut is more expensive then buying off the bolt.

Yes, pre-cuts are more expensive than yardage from the bolt, but I have found that the variety of coordinating fabrics is worth the extra $. JMHO

Linda in Missouri

Fat quarters are quilters' candy. Irresistible, pre-cut, very usable tidbits of fabric, often purchased on impulse. Not unlike the candy bar display at grocery checkouts. They are basically a half yard cut in half.

it's a fat 1/4th of a yard. 18" half a yard length and +/- 22" which would be 1/2 the length of a quarter of a yard if cut from one selvege to another.

If you understand math a half in lenght times a half in width is 1/4 or a quarter.

good point. go ahead and buy that FQ---------if your ohter alternative is a whole bolt. tee hee

Our LQS will cut a fat quarter for you, not many do (Like JoAnns). There is a bin the LQS has with fat quarters in it and although they are more expensive than buying a full yard, I buy them for my GFG quilt flowers. That way I get a lot of variety at little cost. If I bought a quarter yard and cut hexies, I would still have a lot left over that would not be as useful, except for scrappy quilts. And fat quarters can also be used for scrappy quilts, if you don't have enough of your own.