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-   -   Why do so many people buy so many fat quarters? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/why-do-so-many-people-buy-so-many-fat-quarters-t108269.html)

Becky Crafts 03-18-2011 02:38 AM

I buy fat qtrs to round out some of my scraps in order to make enough for another quilt. I do mostly scrappy quilts & use a lot of colors, so for accents a fat qtr will often add that extra pop to a design that I couldn't afford otherwise. I'd love to get yardage all the time, but it's just not doable with our budget. The old something rather than nothing adage.

Sallyflymi 03-18-2011 02:53 AM

I don't use fat quarters. I would rather have several yards of material. My scraps makes scrappy quilts.

Drew 03-18-2011 02:54 AM

I, usually, don't buy fat quarters unless they are on sale. I'd rather buy the yardage and make my own fat quarters and jelly rolls. It's cheaper that way!

sandy l 03-18-2011 03:23 AM

I do a lot of paper piecing so FQ's are great for that. I also like to make quilts for the local "Linus Project". If the local chapter puts out a newsletter saying the supply of quilts on hand is low, it's easy to grab a handfull of FQ's and a couple of my "go-to, never-fail, quick quilts" and in a couple of days have some for them.

grann of 6 03-18-2011 03:29 AM


Originally Posted by Annaquilts
My stash consists mostly of fat quarters. I like scrappy quilts and that is how I quilt. Even the quilt behind my little girls has multiple different oranges, greens and even different whites. I like the feel of quilts that are not perfect matchy match and fat quarters force you to do that.

Oh, I love those. ;) :thumbup:

grann of 6 03-18-2011 03:32 AM


Originally Posted by justflyingin
I have been wondering this for a long time, but a fat quarter really isn't enough to do much with in a quilt. It is fine if you are doing a scrappy type quilt, but when doing a quilt that is larger and you use 8-10 different fabrics, a fat quarter is like "nothing".

Why do so many people seem so focused on buying fat quarters? I do scrappy quilts--and will continue to do them, with scraps, mostly, not purchased fat quarters.

So, I'm wondering, what do you all do with your fat quarters? Do you buy more than one of the same, and if so, why not just buy 1/2 yard or more of yardage?

When I first started quilting a few years ago I bought some fat quarters. Now I buy at least a yard of my fabrics. I find I have a hard time parting with the fat quarter because I am afraid I will want it for something else if I use it. Crazy, I know. I find I also use more full widths of fabric for the things I do.

Vat 03-18-2011 03:56 AM

You get lots of variety without having to buy lots of fabric. In your focus fabric, you buy lots more, yardage, and then you get fat quarters for the rest of the fabric. And there are lots of patterns using fat quarters. Check them out , you will soon learn the reason for buy fat quarters.

justwannaquilt 03-18-2011 04:05 AM

And actually sometimes you can get more out of a fat quarter than a reg. quarter. You can get 99 2 inch sqaures from a FQ only 90 from a reg 1/4 that is 9 inches wide! And it would be cheaper to find FQ on sale and buy as many as you needed instead of buying a layer cake. A layer cake averages about 87 cents for every piece of fabric depending on how many fabrics are in the collection. If you can find FQ for 1.00-1.50 you can get two 10 inch squares from the FQ and only spend 50-75 cents a piece!

pieces 03-18-2011 04:07 AM

I have never bought fat quarters (or charms, or layer cakes, etc.) I mostly make scrappy quilts but buy 1/2 yard pieces. This adds to my stash for the next quilt. I would think the fat quarters (charms, layer cakes) would be more expensive
than a cut of fabric. I am curious as well,
'Why do people buy so many fat quarters"?

sandpat 03-18-2011 04:21 AM

I buy them because they are "purdy"...LOL.....actually, I do applique and I like to have lots of variety of smaller pieces around. Also...I don't have lots of room to store fabric, so I buy smaller pieces..that way I can have more.


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