Hi everyone. I'm new to all this so when I went into my local fabric shop and asked how much fabric I would need for a design I mocked up myself they suggested I do a test pattern with fat quarters.
Well, I've figured that part out and I now know how much I need in terms of fat quarters to get my work done. But how to fat quarters relate to fabric on the bolt when cutting? Because, presumably, a "fat quarter" is not an actual quarter. Any suggestions for figuring out this little math problem?

4 fat quarters = 1 yard

Real quarter is 9 by 44. Two real quarters laid top to bottom is a half yard. FQ is 18 by 22 so two FQ side by side is a regular half (18 by 44.

So in essense four FQ's equal a yard just like four real quarters do, it's just how you get there.

hahaha. Thanks a bunch! I guess I was just putting a little too much thought into it.

Hello everyone,
I've purchased many fat quarters for my Charm quilt (999 different fabrics) in JoAnn's and I found that the quality is not the same as fabric on the bolts. Some of the designs are quite lovely but please be very careful if you plan to use these FQs in an actual project.
Good luck, kutnso

I don't always like the restrictions of using FQ's. Sometimes I want longer strips so that I can get more cuts out of a 1/4 yard's length. Sometimes the FQ's aren't exactly 18 X 22 so I end up short on fabric. They also are more expensive, you can often buy a 1/3 yard cut for the same price as a FQ.
But, I do have a stash of FQ's that work beautifully for some of my projects :D:D:D

nice topic, thanks for starting this thread!

Fat quarters are very restrictive when you figure in the shrinkage and fraying after washing and then the squaring up to get your cuts on grain. They are also more expensive than buying yardage. I believe the shop owner was suggesting you try the block pattern with fat quarters, not that you buy fat quarters to make the entire quilt.

I have never bought a fat quarter. I think its cheaper to buy from the bolt. Especially when fabric is on sale. Any leftover can be used in scrap quilts. So I am adding to my stash by buying 1/2 yard pieces instead of the fat quarters.

I have never bought fat quarters. I only buy yardage, usually 5-8 yards. I use to make only matchy, matchy quilts, I have been making scrappy using some of the leftovers I have, for log cabin type blocks. If I buy the end of bolts, there isn't always that much left, I buy it and use in the above blocks, unless I have enough matching fabrics to use in a particular quilt I have picked out.

I agree that fat quarters is the more expensive way to go, and with losing some to fraying. I mainly use fat quarters when I'm appliquing, and don't have enough of the right kind of scraps. Its convenient to buy a fat quarter here and there for small applique projects.
~Bj~

At Rocking Chair Quilts, and any other local quilt shop, Fat Quarters are cut from the same bolts as any by-the-yard sale is. It is just not cut to order. It is a half a yard long and half the fabric's width. I don't understand the "FQs have a lower quality than bolt fabric" comment.
We have the bolts on the shelf and FQs that are cut from those bolts on a shelf immediate below; same fabric.

I've seen some FQs and jellyrolls that seemed to be not as tightly woven as others. Got them before I found a nearby LQS.

careful here. fat quarters are not always 18 x 22 because yardage is not always 44 wide. sometimes it's only 42 wide. sometimes you get shorted and sometimes what you get is a wide selvedge that's unusable. ask if you can see and measure before you buy that way. also, as said above, allow for shrinkage and fraying in the (pre)wash. also allow for waste pieces that may be too small for your project that wouldn't have existed if you had bought plain yardage.

I find FQ's a good addition to my scrap pile, especially if they have an interesting pattern or a colour I don't usually have on hand. I agree with Butterflywing, they don't always measure up the same. As for difference in quality, here they are cut from regular bolts.

You are very fortunate---in our local JoAnn's you very seldom find the same bolts as the FQs that are "wrapped" around a square piece of cardboard.
There are other FQs and you can see that these do come from bolts but these are rolled and you can see the difference.
Kutnso

Joann Fabric (forgive me as you have a LQS) has fat quarters that are purchased for the store already made up. Those are the fat quarters that aren't as good. I've shopped at several LQS and requested a fat quarter and they cut it from the bolt. Much better idea than the "factory cut".

I love FQ's, I do a lot of scrappy quilts and I don't have a lot of anything left over/// I make crumb quilts and they use every piece. 15 FQ's makes a great lap quilt.
None of my FQ's ever fray when I wash them for I do not cut anything off but surge every one before washing wit 3 threads of cheeeepes thread and loosen the bottom looper so it just pulls right out when dry.
Have fun, it is adicting you are warrned

yes 4 fq is one yard

Here is an image that may be helpful in understand FQs better.

Sooo happy I found this thread as I have been wondering about fat quarters from the quality and economy aspects. After reading all the comments I'll continue to buy all my fabric off the bolt. I can usually lay out pattern pieces in a way that leaves me additional fabric to lengthen sleeves and inseams when I am making clothing without buying too much extra fabric. Being tall = extra expense! Left over fabric always goes into my quilt stash. I think I'll be able to lay out quilt pieces with less waste too after reading all the comments. But I know I"ll have to get over my "problem" with waste the first time I try paper foundation quilting! LOL!

Fat quarters are fun to collect but for serious quilting I buy yardage. I'd rather have fabric left over than not enough for a project.