Pulled our a very simple table runner that I may be teaching as a "beginner quilting" project at an upcoming retreat, and it calls for 3 fat quarters. I figured I'd make a sample one to take with me. Choosing ANY colors is always a big deal to me, as I always over-think it. SO I found a beautiful floral print I figured I'd use as my 'focal' point, then chose two other complimentary colors. Two out of three were 1/4 yard cuts, and until now I never realized that fat quarters are cut differently than just cutting off 1/4 yard. Am I the only idiot out here that didn't know this? The pattern's directions for cutting was simple with the fat quarter (of course), but I had to finagle some with the 1/4 yard, only doing so because I didn't want to change my mind again about fabrics. Man do I feel stupid. :shock:

(Giggles) :idea: Probably because I have cut so many.

NOPE. . I was right there with ya..

Well, we all should learn something new everyday. That's yours for today! Teehee!

Everyone has been there. The important thing is that everything worked out with your project.

its so confusing

Not sure if I'm understanding you. Do you mean you didn't realize they were 2 different shapes or that cutting would be different with either shape???

Technically, one should get exactly the same number of square inches from a "skinny" 1/4 yard and a "fat" quarter of the same fabric.

You are not alone in having to learn the difference.

I get confused on all the things like "layer cakes," etc"

You get the same square yardage but the dimensions are different and the width is limited on the 1/4 yard cut. Sometimes it's a good idea to follow directions exactly.

Well, now you know.

I bet a LOT of people just learned that from this post. It wasn't too long ago I was right there with you!

My first online swap 18 yrs ago...got a very nasty note because I mailed skinny qtrs and not fat qtrs. So I dried my tears, bought new fabric, cut it properly and mailed it out. No one ever said a word about any of it...just the one pompous fabric policewoman.

Not really. A fat quarter is a length of fabric cut at 18" then cut in half at the fold making 2 FQ's. A quarter yard is 9" in length cut width to width. :D

Look on the bright side, you'll never get them mixed up again.

OK, I'm happy I made myself look like an idiot for a purpose - to educate other. :mrgreen: ha ha. SO, you actually get two fat quarters out of 1/4 yard, am I correct?

NO, you get two fat quarters out of a half yard. If you fold the half yard selvage to selvage and cut along the fold, you have 2 fat quarters. It's 18 x 22. It's still a quarter of a yard, just cut differently.

Oh boy. I better stop while I'm ahead. LOL. I'll just follow the directions and buy fat quarters next time! :shock:

hence the name "fat" quarter. yes, they are cut fatter than a regular 1/4 yard cut.
fat qtrs are usually 18x22 inches.
regular 1/4 cut is 9x44 (or width of fabric if not 44).
you can get more cuts for various block requirement from 18 inches than you can 9 inches.

I had an AHA moment when I was a new quilter, too. When I first saw that term, I thought...."fat what????" !!!

Well, take heart....there are alot of people out there that have had that moment of not knowing.....AND, there may even be more uncertainty about a fat 1/8th.
I always thought a fat 1/8th was 18X11...what do you all say?

I say that's too much math. I just call them scraps.

HAHAHAHAHA love this!!! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Funny thing is, I've been quilting for 12 years and I'm just learning this now. But I'm happy I learned something new!

Me too :D

I have seen the measurements for quarters but, I never buy them. Never owned one. I just buy yardage, my Daughter buys all lots of them and less yardage. If I wanted to cut them, I would just call her. Considered cheating I suppose but, thats what I would do.

No. You get two fat quarters out of 1/2 yard. You get two fat 1/8's out of 1/4 yard. Remember, the more cuts it takes to make these pretty packages, the more expensive it gets.

OK, I'm happy I made myself look like an idiot for a purpose - to educate other. :mrgreen: ha ha. SO, you actually get two fat quarters out of 1/4 yard, am I correct?[/quote]

No you did not make yourself look like an idiot. You asked a perfectly legit question and as you saw lots of people said they had been in the same boat. Look in the mirror, you will still see the same great person there as yesterday. Asking questions is how we learn.


I have learned:-
Never put yourself down there are too many others willing to do it for you. And then it's only their opinion.

In all honesty, anytime a piece of fabric has to be cut and folded by a human, it adds to the cost of the piece. If you bought 4 FQ's @ 1.98 that is 7.96 per yard. Um, that's out of my price range! I only buy them if they are on sale for 1.29 or so. It's the variety that draws the crowd. "Lookie at this little bundle of fun" :XD: says the quilters mind. :-)

I agree with you Julie! :XD:

The best lesson is, unless your pocketbook can afford it, don't buy them. (Isn't this tempting, my pretty?.........) :thumbdown:

And I saw either online or in a paper catalog, that they had some 5" x 22" cuts. They did not call them by any name, such as skinny eights. I wonder what's with that.

Quilting lingo- a whole new language. I guess we just have to keep learning.

Ty for this. I was told they were the same!!

I only learned this by watching youtube tuterals and someone was talking about fq's and explained and showed the difference. We live and learn.

Thank you - it just reinforces my decision to ALWAYS stick with yardage ....... you can keep the FQs

No idiot quilting is always a learning curve enjoy!

Never gave it a thought...doesn't sound like enough fabric to worry about doing that much math! But seriously, now that you got me thinking...I would say a fat 1/8 is half of a FQ (cut perpendicular to the selvedge)or 9X21. Can't wait to see how this one plays out! Big smiley face.

Not about quilting but a cute story for people to get a lol moment, a gal I knew years back went shoping and bought spagetti noodles in bulk got 2 lbs for a real good price when she got home she was so excited she said I got 2 lbs and if I break them in half I will have 4 pounds. This isn't a joke it really happened and her hubby told her she needed to go back to math class. And Never I mean NEVER tell anyone what you just said. But being a man he told us all................. men!

Well as usualy I just learned something I wondered why some where fat and some skinny. Loooooove this board!!!!!!

I had to google it to find out what everybody was talking about. I didn't know either. Same thing with Charm squares and layer cakes and jelly rolls. So, nom you aren't the only one.

I have a great t-shirt that says: A fat quarter is not a body part! :D