Tell Me the Difference Between
 

I know this is a dum question but what is fat quarters, charm packs, jelly rolls, and layer cakes? Which one is the most popular one to purchase. I am going to buy some and I need to know which is the best one. I know they probably be used for certain projects. Please explain!

Finally a question I can answer!

These are all different size pre cuts. Check out www.modabakeshop.com
There is a page on weights & measurements that lists the different sizes.

I buy a lot of precuts. I buy the layer cakes the most because they are just the right size for most of my Go dies.

Great question -

Here is a great chart - http://www.clotilde.com/pages/fabric.html

but the ones below are great as well
http://quiltbug.com/Articles/fabric-calculator.htm

http://fgqg.com/Quiltsizes.htm

don't for get about the turn overs!!! hehe. (triangle precuts)

FIRST OFF ~ there is no such thing as a dumb question!!! only being dumb by not asking!

Name Size
Fat Quarter 18" x 22"
Fat Eighth 9" x 22"
Honey Bun 1 ½" wide strips
Jelly Roll 2 ½" wide strips
Turnover 6" half-square triangles
Dessert Roll 5" x 44" strips
Charm Pack 5" squares
Layer Cake 10" squares
Bricks 5" x 9 1/2"

Gee, there are a few that I did not know

it depends on what type of quilts you make which would be the better choices for you- if you make nickle/charm quilts (quilts made with 5" squares) then charms would be good for you to buy---but if you tend to make quilts that you cut larger peices they would not work for you-
if you make strip quilts jelly rolls or honey buns may be right up your alley- but if you tend to make big block quilts they are not going to be very useful-
before spending money on pre-cuts evaluate what you personally find you use the most of-
and remember= they generally are not going to save you money- you pay more (yard for yard) for precuts because you are paying for the convienience of them being pre-cut. if is a good way to get a little bit of a bunch of different fabrics in a line- but they certainly limit what you can do with them.
fat quarters probably offer the most flexability- as long as you don't need any strips longer than 20-22"

I like fat quarters and jelly rolls personally. I have only bough a few charm packs but the are too limiting for me

I don't buy pre-cuts. I make my own. When I buy yardage for a project, I buy and extra yard or yard and a half. I always cut 2 FQ's, a few 2 1/2" strips, and whatever else I can get out of it. Not only does it save you money, sometimes those pre-cuts aren't cut accurately and THAT is very irritating.

my favorte is fat quarters, but most of the time i buy yardage
and make my own sizes.

I do a lot of applique' as well as piecing, so I prefer fat quarters. 22" x 18".

The chart sizes were VERY helpful, but I would like to know how MANY cuts are included in each pack... any one?

You will have to actually look at the product you are considering. There is no universal amount for number of pieces in a pre-cut bundle. With Moda they usually have 40-42 charms or layer cake pieces. FQ bundles depend on the number of prints in a collection. Other manufacturers are different, some sell charm packs of 20 pieces, or 10 layer cake sized pieces.

I mostly buy yardage and make my own!

I like fat quarters--it's a good way to get a variety of fabrics without spending a lot of money. If I really like the fabric I buy several. I did buy charm packs to make a Twister quilt. Turned out great.
Sue

Thanks NovemberBravo. i printed it on card stockand lamenated it for my sewing room.

Thanks for the info... some of this I was not aware of....

I personally like the fat quarters. I find I can cut 1 1/2" (honey bun) strips, 2 1/2" (jelly roll) strips, 5" (charm) squares or just about any size from a fat quarter. To me, it is just the most versatile.

I usually do not purchase the percuts. I have found that they are not always cut the correct size. The other reason is that you can purchase the fabric and cut them yourself for a lot less. Grant you if I see a color combination that I just have to have I will purchase precuts then. But Ijust do not purchase a lot of precuts.

I rarely buy precuts, and never have bought less than a fat quarter. I normally buy at least 1 1/2 yards, but for novelty prints will sometimes buy less. I have drawers of strips and FQs from the leftovers of my larger piece purchases.

I get the most use out of jelly rolls and charm packs. However, it is all personal preference.

I buy the charm packs to see all the fabric... I know the colors I like and don't have a LQS so I rely on them to see what I want to order online. I don't see it as a waste because they are great quality and my youngest daughter makes small quilts with some of them or I use them to try new blocks or for a small project. I just got the jelly roll and layer cake of cattails and clover by moda to do a bear claw quilt I would have spent alot more trying to get the variety buying fabric individually. Sometimes it's practical and sometimes not. I generally buy 1/2 yards and cut in half and you have two fat quarters and that is deff. cheaper for fat quarter projects. I do love variety tho I hand it to people who can buy one or two prints!!!

I like charm packs (5 inch) because I make table runners to have on hand for presents. I use the "broken nine patch" pattern for them. I know that pattern has other names but can't think right now just having my first cup of coffee!

Thanks, November Bravo, just what I needed. Now I will have to remember where I got the information when I start wondering about jelly rolls, honey buns and so on.

Boy Howdy did I learn a lot!!! Thanks Ladys!! :D

I agree, many times, more than I can count, I have bought pieces that are cut wrong, mostly not wide enough on one side.

I rarely buy precuts...only if on sale..and then only fat quarters.

OK, but what about shrinkage???? If it is important to pre-wash / pre-shrink the fabric before cutting, what about all these pre-cuts pieces?? Since they are not pre-shrunk, what if you use them together with pieces that are??? Will that make a difference in the overall quilt later on?

I don't use the precuts... I like to wash my fabric before using.. I ran into problems with fabric I bought for a scrap quilt.. I always check to make sure the fabric won't run.. and if it's going to shrink, let it shrink before I sew..
Barri

I've bought a few precuts and have been disappointed when my 9 patches turn out to be strange sizes. LOL! I think you are better off to purchase a couple of yards of fabrics that you love and make your own. Sometimes in the precuts there are fabrics that you just aren't crazy about!

I love precuts - I buy all sizes of moda precuts - it makes the quilt simple to put together and everything matches well - there is a ton of patterns available and I have found many free patterns on the internet.

you should check out the tutorials on Missouri Star Quilt co - Jenny uses a lot of precut fabric, charm packs, jelly rolls and layer cakes to make quilts - I have made several of her quilts already