What to do with Fat Quarters??
 

When I first started out I went crazy purchasing fat quarters. Now, what do I do with them? It seems like none of them go together and I am at a loss. I did use one batch of black and white fat quarters for a backing, but my others just don't lend to that. Any ideas? HELP!!!

I would be willing to bet that if you liked the FQs you bought, that they do go together - at least some of them.

When I started out, everything had to be matchy-matchy - and now I realize that sometimes variations in color and/or theme can be a good thing.

As far as what to do with them - I don't know. I have long pieces I'm reluctant to cut up.

Take a look at Bonnie Hunter's patterns at quiltville.com. You should get lots of ideas there.

There's a really fun pattern from Three Sisters called "Crumbs" that I think requires 40 fat quarters. I've made three of these quilts cuz I love fat quarters too . . .

Make a scrap quilt. Be sure to add as many different fabrics as possible. If you really don't like them maybe trade for yardage or sell them.

Coasters, hot pads, placemats, bags.

Make a string quilt with all the different FQs. They would be perfect for it.

Oh, such good ideas. Thanks a lot!!!! Love this board.

I think that happens with most of us when we begin quilting. We want a stash so we just buy fabric without much of an idea of what we want, how we will use it or how to get a cohesive variety. I'm still using up stuff I bought under those "guidelines". Now when I buy fabric I get either 3, 6 or 9 yards so I can actually do something with it!

Look at these books by M'liss Rae Hawley
Fat Quarter Quilts: Fabric Choices, Easy Piecing & Quilting Ideas
More Fat Quarter Quilts
101 Fabulous Fat-Quarter Bags

You can make a queen size Thangles Orion star quilt with around 30 fat quarters plus yardage for borders and bindings. I also made a queen size star quilt with 17 red fat quarters and 30 off whites and I had lots of scraps leftover. There are tons and tons of patterns you can use fat quarters for. There are a lot of books devoted to fat quarter patterns.

I don't buy fat quarters, only large amounts. Just cut some more and make a scrappy quilt. They don't have to match.

I love fat quarters too. It's a good way to get many different fabrics and colors. I have made several quilts using my FQ, Omigosh, Flower Pots, Happy Daisies, and Three In A Box to name a few. I recently bought 2 mystery boxes with 50 FQ in them from Craftsy. I was not disappointed. There a loads of patterns that use strips of fabric and make up into a scrappy quilt. The colors do not have to match. I wish I knew how to post pictures so I could show you.
Sue

All fabrics will go together if you use enough variety and cut them small enough. Scrappy quilts are the answer.

Send them here!

LOL, Christmas is coming, there are all sorts of things you can make. Purses, tissue holders, bill folds, pot holders, mug rugs, appliques on clothing or quilted items. I'd be in "idea" heaven if I had them

Check out the thread on the quilt board that members have posted their scrappys, loads of ideas there

There are tons of patterns and books out there that are for FQ, and some of them are quite beautiful. Other patterns that say FQ friendly also.

I have been collecting masculine flannel fat quarters for years. Just now working on a lap quilt for DH. I promised him there won't be a single flower! I'm using the Window Pane D9P from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I bought some Moda dark brown flannel tone on tone for the Window Pane. Cut into 1 1/2" strips for the panes. It's looking really good. About ready to lay it out on my design floor (aka living room floor). Just a note - I was able to get twelve 5" squares from each fat quarter.

There are several Turning Twenty books that uses fat quarters. Some look complex and some are really easy. Look them up on Amazon - you might get a good deal.

Look here for some ideas (Turning Twenty quilts): https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...55.bUA7wEJlUww

Check out Quilter's Cache and there is a 12" block called Depression (named after the Depression and small pieces of fabric used to make a quilt. I love this pattern, very simple, very easy.

I am a Fat quarter addict. You truly are a fat quarter addict, when you buy 1/4 of a yard of fabric instead of the packs of one or more fat quarters!!!!!!!! Edie

fat quarters
 

Here is a quilt I made with some of my scraps and fat quarters The pattern is called "Scrappy Bargello" and it's on Bonnie Hunters site called Quiltville.

stack and wack using fat quarters - has other names but can't remember

Try a Paper-Piecing Project..I buy fat 1/4s as they are more convenient to use when cutting my pieces..I have a closet full of them and I do eventually get around to using them.

Turning Twenty is done with FQ's and is soooo pretty.

Wickedly Easy....a free pattern download.... https://www.byannie.com/free-patterns/ The pattern truly is wickedly easy. It uses fat quarters with virtually no waste. I did mine in blues, but could be easily turned into a scrappy of many colors.

Fat Quarters are perfect for scrappy quilts. Even if they don't go together, they can look great. When I make scrappys I make certain to have a consistent light background, usually off white but I have seen some excellant white whites. Try the modabakeshop.com to find fat quarter patterns if a scrappy doesn't appeal to you.

Lucky Stars by Atkinson calls for 30 fat quarters - probably just type in Lucky Stars here in the Search box and a bunch of them will show up - HTH

I am the same as you, lot's of fat quarters and no idea what to do with them. I just started using mine last week and am in the process of making this cubed quilt. For each block you need a light, a medium and a dark that you think go together. Here's a picture of my WIP.

Quilt for charity? An I Spy type quilt if you have a big variety. I am thinking of doing a jigsaw puzzle baby quilt with my FQs.

Well, if you REALLY don't know what to do with them, let me know, I will send you my address. Seriously, even of you think they don't conventionally "go" together, play around with them, because if YOU like them, they go together!

Another idea might be to make color grouping quilts or squares. Put all your reds, yellows, greens, etc. together and add a neutral for contrast.
When grouped by color, all sorts of things will go together that you wouldn't think do otherwise. You can include every shade and tone, and this just adds interest to your quilt. Prints with other colors work fine too, just so the dominant color is the one you are working with.
You can make a whole quilt in one color group, or you can go for a rainbow effect using blocks of different color groups. If going the rainbow route, you may not wish to include the neutral.

Log Cabin Quilts! :)

Here is a great free pattern that looks great with lots of fabrics

http://www.brandysquiltpatterns.com/ChicletsFree.pdf

Thanks to all! I am exhausted just thinking about all your ideas. You folks are the greatest!

Love it ---- just may work!! Thanks.

This is my favorite pattern for using up FQ(fat quarters).

https://www.byannie.com/media/images...s_patterns.pdf

Try patterns at this company. All their patterns require 8 fat quarters. I love these patterns and I own about 10 different ones. They are soooooo easy to do and the instructions are easy, easy easy. You will love it. Have fun. The Pincushion Boutique

Neat site. Thanks for sharing.